Thinking of planning a brunch wedding? Brunch weddings are just as lovely as traditional ceremonies, and better yet, they are more affordable for many reasons. Continue reading to learn about the many money-saving benefits of planning a brunch wedding and why you should consider having one.
Brunch Menus Are Cheaper
Brunch menus are typically cheaper than dinner menu options. Whereas dinner offers high-cost food items like steak and seafood, breakfast typically carries low-cost item options like eggs, waffles, or biscuits, which costs less money per person. Save money by offering delicious brunch food options that your guests will enjoy.
Here are a few popular brunch menu items to consider:
- Omelet bar
- Oatmeal
- Cereal
- Fruit
- Pancakes
- French toast
- Waffles
- Sausage links/turkey sausage
- Bacon
- Eggs Benedict
- Pastries
- Cinnamon rolls
- Coffee, tea, water, orange juice, and other fresh juices
Avoids Peak Times
When you have your wedding during brunch hours, you’re typically avoiding peak venue hours, which are in the early afternoon into the late evening. Venues may charge an additional fee for peak days and hours. Try scheduling the ceremony and reception for a day of the week that isn’t popular to save even more money on overall wedding costs.
Save Money on a Full Bar
Having an early brunch wedding means your guests most likely won’t be drinking hard liquor at 11 AM. Offer mimosas (and a signature champagne drink if you must) to cover the alcoholic portions of your wedding. Brunch weddings are more casual and laid back, so save money on a full bar and opt for a mini mimosa bar for your guests to enjoy.
Fewer People, Less Money Spent on Catering
Brunch weddings start fairly early, and for a majority of people who work long shifts or work during the weekdays, they may be unable to attend your brunch wedding. However, this doesn’t have to be a negative thing. Fewer people ultimately means less money spent on catering costs, which is where most of the wedding budget is likely coming from.
Your goal may not be to get the least number of guests to show up as possible. However, the goal should be to invite and plan for a reasonable and manageable number of guests to attend to keep your budget in check.
Save Money on Desserts
You and your guests will likely not care for cake and sweets after having brunch in the early morning or early afternoon. Save money by cutting out cake altogether or opting for a dessert table with light dessert options. Have an ice cream bar or a light spread of cookies and coffee to satisfy your sweet tooth without having too much sugar in the morning. This is an especially useful tip if your brunch menu leans toward sweeter options like french toast, pancakes, and waffles.
There are many benefits to having a brunch reception. You’ll be able to save a bit of money on catering costs, which typically take up most of a wedding budget. You’ll also be able to save on alcoholic packages due to having the wedding at such an early time. Earlier start times call for different etiquette, so using this to your advantage will allow you to save money while still getting the most out of your wedding day.
