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Brunch Wedding Ideas for the Early Birds & Breakfast Lovers

February 22, 2023 | riley

Image by  Meagan Lawler Photography. See more of this brunch wedding here

While weddings are traditionally in the evening, we’re seeing more and more couples break the wedding norms and host a day that’s personalized to them. For many, this means hosting the brunch wedding of their dreams, complete with pancakes and waffles, mimosas, and garden views. If this is something that you’re interested in but you’re not sure how to pull it all together, you’re in luck. We’re rounding up brunch wedding ideas that are sure to be a hit for your early celebration.

Brunch Wedding Ideas

Ceremony & Reception Brunch Wedding Ideas

Pre-Ceremony Pastries & Cocoa

Worried about guests going hungry before the reception? Before your guests take their seats, warm their hearts and their stomachs with hot cocoa or coffee and assorted fresh pastries. They’ll thank you later–especially if your ceremony is on the longer side.

Host It Outdoors

When we think of brunch weddings, we think of spring. And with spring comes beautiful weather. If you’re hosting a daytime affair, turn it into a garden party with flowers galore.

Coffee Pouring Unity Ceremony

Nothing says brunch more than coffee. Instead of the traditional sand-pouring or candle-lighting unity ceremony, incorporate the breakfast beverage into the ceremony by making a perfect cup of coffee together at the altar while you exchange vows.

Put Together A Playlist

Because daytime weddings are typically a bit more laidback, you don’t have to worry about having the perfect DJ to keep everyone on the dance floor all night long. Because of this, you can save a little extra money by creating your own playlist full of upbeat, happy music that guests will enjoy while sipping on their breakfast cocktails.

Organize An After Party

If you have guests flying in for your big day, keep the celebration going after the wedding ends. Whether you hit the beach, embark on a hike, lounge by the pool of your Airbnb, or organize a dinner, hosting an after-party will keep the party going even after your wedding ends.

Recommended Reading: 10 Creative Wedding After Party Ideas

Fashion

Image by Tova Studios

Wedding Dresses

While we support going all out for your brunch wedding look, you may find that a wedding gown is a little much for your low-key day. Instead, try a little white dress with an extra something special–like sparkles, fringe, or ruffles. If a long gown is more your style, look for something lightweight and bohemian for a more casual look.

Suits

Since a brunch wedding is on the more casual side, a groom and his groomsmen don’t need to suit up in full tuxes to say “I do.” For a day wedding, we recommend choosing a blazer and slacks in a lighter color–such as beige, sage green, dusty blue, or pink–and fabric–like a linen or cotton blend.

Bridesmaid Dresses

Instead of dressing your wedding party in traditional bridesmaid dresses, welcome them to choose a floral or pastel dress they’d wear to a regular girl’s day out. Chances are they already have something in their closet, but if not, they’ll love the excuse to add a new dress to their collection.

Drinks

Barista for Hire

Instead of hiring a bartender for your reception, bring in an expert barista to make custom lattes, cappuccinos, and more for your guests. We love the idea of hiring one of your favorite local coffee shops to help cater. Bonus if your barista is a latte-art pro, too!

Make Your Own Mimosas

No brunch wedding is complete without mimosas. Because there are so many incredible juice options out there, hosting a mimosa bar where guests can choose their favorites (pineapple, orange, cranberry, mango, etc.) is a must. And it gives you the perfect chance to decorate your reception with fun signage and glassware.

Bloody Mary Bar

The best part about drinking a Bloody Mary is the concoction of extras you can put in your drink. From olives to citrus fruits to bacon, help your guests create the Bloody Mary of their wildest dreams with an open bar of delicious add-ons.

Food

Image by Britt Crowe

Appetizers: French Toast sticks & Syrup Dipper

In lieu of traditional wedding reception appetizers, surprise guests with the sweet treat of French toast sticks and syrup dippers.

Main Dish: Build-a-Breakfast

Love pancakes and waffles? Omelets? Breakfast tacos? Of course, you do. And we’re sure your guests do too. To maximize your breakfast potential, let your guests create their own sweet or savory breakfast with a variety of toppings for the dishes of their choice.

Dessert: Donut Tower

We’re all for eating cake for breakfast, but if you want to ditch the idea of a wedding cake, consider having a donut tower instead.

Favors

Image by AGPcollective

Mug + Coffee Beans

The best part of waking up is free coffee in your cup! Give your guests a little pep in their step come Monday morning with a bag of your favorite coffee beans and a cute mug with your names on it.

Shop Coffee Favors: The Perfect Blend Favor Bags; Elegant Floral Monogram Mug; Love Is Brewing Stamp; Modern Perfect Blend Coffee Wedding Favor Bags

Jars of Jam

Keep the brunch love going by gifting your guests jars of jam for a delicious breakfast on the go.

Shop Jam Favors: Spread The Love Blueberry Favors; 100 Rustic Jam Personalized Favors; Custom Jam Packed With Love Stickers

Complementary Sunglasses on Each Chair

Speaking of the sun, a morning wedding means it may be extra bright out for your guests who want to be able to see you say “I do.” Help them shade their eyes in style with a cute pair of sunnies when they take their seats.

Loving these brunch wedding ideas but still not sure if it’s the right decision for you and your partner? Check out these 7 reasons why a brunch wedding might be right for you!

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This Couple Explored The City In Their Intimate Rome Elopement

February 22, 2023 | justine

A special connection to the city and their shared love for travel and adventure led Thi and Kevin to choose a Rome elopement. From the monumental architecture and the cobblestone streets to the iconic piazzas and fountains, it doesn’t come as a surprise that they chose the Eternal City as the backdrop for their happily ever after. 

The two started the day soaking in the city’s rich culture and history and exchanged private vows in the middle of it all. After tying the knot, they embarked on a romantic stroll through the winding streets of Rome and took in all the sights and sounds. They visited the famous Colosseum and the Trevi fountain and stopped for coffee and gelato along the way.

This couple certainly chose one of the most beautiful spots in the world to toast to their love and start their new life together! And thankfully, Lilly Wilson Photography captured every heartfelt moment and captivating detail of this unforgettable celebration for two. So get your hearts ready. We guarantee you will fall in love with these photos.

The Couple:

Thi and Kevin

The Wedding:

Rome, Italy

Why They Decided On A Rome Elopement

We chose to elope in Rome because Kevin is of Italian descent, and I studied Ancient Roman history for my undergraduate degree. One of the most important things for our elopement was to keep it simple, lighthearted, and intimate. We were able to blend together quiet, intimate moments (like our three-person ceremony) with fun moments (sight-seeing Rome’s hidden spots or getting cheered on by strangers throughout our day).

How They Personalized Their Ceremony

We personalized our ceremony by exchanging personal vows, which we wrote in our vow books. We also shared our story with our officiant, who was able to cater our ceremony to our history. 

Advice: Stick To Your Priorities And Find Vendors Who Align With Your Vision

Our advice is to figure out first what’s really important to you and your partner and stick to that and not let the priorities of others dictate your day too much. Also, find a photographer with whom you trust and share a common vision. This also applies when choosing a wedding planner if you can afford one.

 

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Lilly Wilson Photography
Event Planning – Marigiulia Sella Weddings
Vow Books – Modern Album Designs
Floral Design – Motif Floral
Videography – Memento Story
Makeup Artist – Elisa Zamparelli
Wedding Dress – Lillian West
Groom’s Apparel – Indochino

 

Congratulations to Kevin and Thi on their breathtaking Rome elopement. And a big thank you to Lilly Wilson Photography for capturing all the beautiful moments the couple will cherish for the rest of their lives. 

From the incredible architecture and delectable cuisine to stunning coastlines and vineyards galore, it is no surprise that many couples look to tie the knot in Italy. Whether you are looking to elope just the two of you or have a grand celebration with your loved ones, check out our guide for everything you need to know about getting married in one of the most beautiful countries on Earth!

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Rainy La Badia Destination Wedding

February 20, 2023 | justine

Carly and Jen had their hearts set on a La Badia destination wedding. So despite the rainy forecast on their big day, the pair was determined to have their dream wedding come to life.–and nothing was going to stop them from tying the knot. Set in a 12th-century monastery and tucked in the rolling hills of Umbria, their rainy day soiree featured gorgeous floral arrangements, dreamy lighting, and chic wedding fashion.

The pair initially planned to have their ceremony under the ancient cathedral arches but ended up huddled under the sheltered steps of the abbey. The last-minute change turned out to be the best decision, as the intimacy in such a small space made the moment even more magical. Following the ceremony, they treated their guests to a cozy and stunning reception inside the tower. They dined on tables filled with blooms and taper candles and danced all night (that ended with a 3 a.m. dip in the pool!)

Carly and Jen’s special day was a testament to the power of their love and determination. The downpour may have added a little challenge to the day, but they didn’t let it dampen their spirits, and they had the best time with the people they love. These images captured by Junebug members Andrea & Federica prove that a bit of rain can make the wedding memories even sweeter, so read on to discover their beautiful journey to “I do.”

The Couple:

Carly and Jen

The Wedding:

La Badia, Orvieto, Umbria, Italy

The Inspiration Behind Their La Badia Destination Wedding

It was important to us that the style of our wedding reflects our love. We are both people who feel and love deeply and passionately. We wanted the style and design of our ceremony and reception to be deep and brooding. This led to the inspiration for our flowers and the choice of photographers. We also both waited a long time until we found someone we wanted to spend the rest of our lives with, so we wanted it to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The venue–a medieval monastery–and the decision to have it in Italy were inspired by that.

Choosing Wedding Attire That Reflected Their Personal Style

When choosing our dresses, we both went in a direction that reflected our own individual styles, showcasing that we both individually bring different but beautiful things to the relationship.

The Unpredictable Weather Couldn’t Keep Them From Celebrating Their Love

We couldn’t have known that the weather would force us into a location that made the ceremony perfect. It ended up raining the day of the ceremony, forcing all 100 guests and the string duet to stand shoulder-to-shoulder on the small sheltered steps in front of the chapel doors. “Mystery of Love,” played by the cello, echoed hauntingly through the space as we walked in. Our vows were a perfect reflection of our love for one another. It was unplanned, and it was perfect.

Their Travels All Over Italy Inspired Their Wedding Menu

The wedding day menu was the most talked about thing of the whole event! We leaned into the local culture, and our caterer La Parolina delivered modern takes on classic Umbrian dishes. Much of our relationship revolves around eating and cooking. So we wanted the food to showcase some memorable moments we shared while traveling around Italy. La Parolina took our guests on a journey. For the aperitif, we had a raw bar to reflect the fantastic raw seafood we had in Sicily. We also had an assortment of fresh cheese and charcuterie local and traditional to the Umbria region. And, of course, we had to have Aperol spritz available—it’s an Italian classic! One of the coolest parts was the dessert at the end. They made a tiny dessert representing each region in Italy.

Advice: Trust Your Vendor Team And Magic Will Truly Happen

If you have a destination wedding, work with local vendors. We had excellent vendors who made the wedding day perfect. And we truly came away with friends we will have for the rest of our lives. Also, let the day of the wedding be. Let go of everything you’re stressed about. Assign someone you trust to handle any drama that comes up, and then just relax. It will be perfect because you’re getting married!

Shop Similar Rattan Chargers: 1. Rattan Charger Plates 2. Rattan Table Charger 3. Round Rattan Charger Plates

Seeing Their La Badia Destination Wedding Vision Come To Life Made Their Big Day Even More Special

We are most proud of the amazing experience we got to have with our loved ones. We felt so loved and couldn’t believe that so many amazing people surrounded us in such a special place. It was the perfect representation of us merging our lives and of the love, excitement, experiences. The true “bella vita” we hope to cultivate in our marriage for the rest of our lives.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Andrea & Federica
Event Planning – Umbria Weddings
Venue – La Badia
Floral Design – Sartoria Floreale
Catering – La Parolina
DJ – Andrew Marsico
Live Music – Ensemble Hubay
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Barbara Corso
Wedding Dress – Papers and Petals Bridal
Groomsmen’s Apparel –
Rings – Viviana Langhoff + DMD Metal

 

Congratulations to Carly and Jen on their La Badia destination wedding. And a special shout out to Junebug members Andrea & Federica for beautifully capturing all the details and emotions, despite the weather. To see more incredible weddings like this one, check out their profile in our directory of the world’s best wedding photographers. 

Even the most meticulously planned weddings can have a few hiccups. Every now and then, mother nature decides to throw a curveball. But with a positive attitude, a few changes to your original plans, a trusted crew of experts by your side, and even a little rain on your wedding day can still make it a magical and memorable experience, just like Carly and Jen’s.

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