By Kate Cohen
Who says your wedding celebrations have to end after your reception?
A fun and festive post-wedding brunch the day after your ceremony and reception is a great way to spend extra time with friends and family while reveling in memories from the day before.
Affectionately known as a “farewell brunch,” it’s a great final hurrah before your guests hit the road and you and your partner jet set off on an epic honeymoon.
At Rosen Weddings, we’re all about keeping the festivities rolling as long as possible, and we’re here to help you make the most out of every moment celebrating you and your partner.
Wondering where to begin when it comes to planning a post-wedding brunch? Here are our tips to get you started.
Who Should You Invite?
Your post-wedding guest list is, first and foremost, dependent on your budget.
If you can afford to host all of your wedding guests, go for it! Otherwise, inviting your out-of-town guests and immediate family is a lovely gesture.
Be sure to invite fairly; if you invite extended family from one side, you should offer the invitation to everyone on the other side, too.
Where should you host your wedding brunch?
If you’re hosting your wedding at a hotel (hello, Rosen Weddings!), having your post-wedding brunch onsite is a wonderfully convenient option.
Assuming a good percentage of your guests will also have stayed at the hotel, everyone will appreciate being able to roll out of bed and head downstairs for an easy breakfast.
Local restaurants are great options for brunch as well, especially those with private dining areas.
Arrange for mimosas and bloody marys, or serve an array of breakfast bites and charcuterie featuring highlights from the restaurant’s menu.
Wherever you decide to host your brunch, your guests will be grateful!
How can you save money on a farewell brunch?
The biggest way you can save on hosting a post-wedding brunch is by nixing the alcohol.
Instead of serving mimosas and Champagne, offer a variety of coffee, juice, and tea and direct your guests to the hotel bar (if it’s open early).
Another way to save on brunch is to simplify: serve coffee and pastries for a grab-and-go breakfast that’s easy on the budget and still gives guests the chance to socialize and start their day with something delicious.
What time should I host brunch?
Hopefully you and your guests had a wonderful celebration the night before worthy of a good night’s sleep.
If the festivities went late into the night, you’ll want to give everyone the chance to sleep in and wake up at their own leisure.
Consider hosting a drop-in brunch that allows guests to come at any time. Out-of-towners may have travel plans to work around and at the very least will appreciate being able to get ready in the morning at their own pace.
If you’re hosting your brunch at a hotel, consider starting your event around check-out time so your guests have a place to regroup and socialize before heading home.
What is your role at a farewell brunch?
While your wedding day is a gathering of all your favorite people, you may not get the chance to socialize with everyone during your reception.
A farewell brunch gives you the opportunity to spend more quality time with friends and loved ones with whom you may not have had the chance to the day before.
As the couple of honor, you and your partner’s role at a post-wedding brunch is simply to thank people for coming to the wedding and let them know you appreciate their presence.
Do you need a theme?
Your farewell brunch can be as elaborate, playful, and themed as you want it to be. It’s a great opportunity to showcase you and your partner’s personalities, or to keep things simple after an epic celebration the day before.
Feel free to reuse decor from your wedding to save on costs and create an event that is totally coordinated to the celebration at large.
From florals to candles to table runners, you can create a beautiful brunch aesthetic using the pieces you already own.
When do you send invitations?
You can include an invitation to your farewell brunch with your wedding invitation for those who are invited, or you can include it as an option on your RSVP.
Whether your RSVP is by mail or through your wedding website, it’s easy to include and gather information about extra wedding events, including your post-wedding brunch.
Do you need to have one?
Nope! A farewell brunch is a great way to spend a little extra time with friends and family, but it certainly isn’t required.
If you aren’t planning on hosting a brunch, providing out-of-towners a list of recommended breakfast and brunch spots in town is a nice touch to end a celebratory weekend.
Bring Your Dream Brunch to Life with Rosen Weddings
At Rosen Weddings, we’ll help you plan every event of your wedding weekend.
From the wedding day of your dreams to a farewell brunch or rehearsal dinner to welcome and indulge your guests, we have the perfect space and menu for every step of the way.
Contact us to talk about how we can bring your perfect wedding celebration to life. We’re here to help.
