
Order of the day
- 9am – Wake up and have breakfast
- 10am – Bridesmaids join you get ready
- 11am-12am – Hair and makeup
- 1.15pm – Groom, best man and ushers arrive at the ceremony to greet guests
- 2pm – The Ceremony
- 2.30pm – Confetti shot and family photos
- 3pm – Drinks reception
- 5pm – Wedding breakfast
When is the best time to have a breakfast time wedding?
Timing-wise, you'll likely want to have a ceremony no earlier than 10 a.m. and the reception for anytime between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. If that sounds up your alley, find out what else to consider before booking a breakfast-time wedding. Pick a day that makes sense.
What do you have for breakfast on your wedding day?
An easy, tasty and indulgent wedding morning breakfast. Make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day so you don’t end up dehydrated… “Bacon roll, croissant and maybe a few glasses of champagne!”
What time is a typical wedding day timeline?
We’ve written three example wedding day timelines: for ceremonies starting at 11am, 2pm and 6pm. You’ll also find some alternative timelines for brunch and afternoon-tea style receptions.
What is the cost of a breakfast or brunch wedding?
The cost of a breakfast or brunch wedding is less than an evening wedding. The guests eat less, and the food is often cheaper to prepare, so the venue doesn’t charge as much.

What time should a wedding brunch start?
Most after-wedding brunches begin at 11 a.m. or noon and last about 2.5 hours, allowing guests to stop in at their leisure. If your wedding is a late-night affair, consider holding your brunch from 1 to 3 p.m. so your guests can rest in the morning. Williams recommends setting up your brunch as a drop-in style event.
Is a wedding breakfast after the ceremony?
The meal that follows your wedding ceremony is known as the wedding breakfast, the name comes from the past when traditionally the wedding ceremony was held after mass, the whole wedding party would fast before mass and so for the bride and groom this was their first meal.
What is meant by a wedding breakfast?
A wedding breakfast is a feast given to the newlyweds and guests after the wedding, making it equivalent to a wedding reception that serves a meal. The phrase is still used in British English.
What is a typical wedding schedule?
A Traditional Wedding Weekend Timeline: Rehearsal Dinner, Wedding and Brunch. A Friday evening rehearsal dinner, a Saturday evening wedding with an early evening start time, and a morning-after Sunday brunch is one of the most common timelines for a wedding.
What time do you eat at a wedding?
Fast-forward three decades and most people get married between 2pm and 4pm. The most popular time for people sitting down for their wedding breakfast now is around 4.30 – 5.30pm, so no one wants a buffet two hours later, therefore evening food is now served around 8pm – 9pm.
Who speaks at a wedding breakfast?
The Groom may then toast his new wife and both sets of parents. These first three toasts may then be followed by toasts from other special guests. Normally your best man is the 'master of ceremonies' at a wedding reception so the toasts start with the best man.
Do you have music during wedding breakfast?
The basic rules of wedding breakfast music are keep it slow and keep it low. It's simply there to enhance the atmosphere so find a mellow pace and turn the volume down to a level where guests can easily hear each other.
Do you have to have a wedding breakfast?
The term Wedding Breakfast simply is a celebration of your first meal together as a married couple and doesn't have to be a traditional sit down plated affair - unless you want it to be? So to answer your question - no you don't have to have a Wedding Breakfast..
What time do most weddings end?
If the venue doesn't have a set start time, they may have a strict end time. You can expect a more conservative reception venue to end the party around 11 pm or midnight depending on a few different factors, including: what they have booked the next day.
How long should a wedding day last?
Ceremonies typically last 30 minutes to an hour, with receptions lasting five to eight hours. Most couples get married between 12pm and 5pm, so our timeline is based on a 2pm ceremony (adjust the timings as necessary). We've assumed your ceremony and reception are in the same place.
Is 4 hours long enough for a wedding reception?
Your typical wedding reception runs about 4-5 hours—plenty of time for cocktails, dinner, toasts and, of course, dancing! Follow this foolproof wedding reception timeline to ensure a smooth, fun-filled evening of celebration for you and your guests.
Who pays for the breakfast after the wedding?
Typically, the host pays for the postwedding brunch. But the host could also others if they'd like to contribute. It's also not uncommon for the couple to pay for the postwedding brunch themselves if they've decided to host the event. As you begin wedding planning, make sure you budget for this event.
What is the dinner after a wedding called?
receptionA reception is a celebration that follows the wedding ceremony. Receptions include many rituals and traditions, but they most often include a meal, music, and dancing. This celebration is held as a welcome for those who attended the wedding.
Do you have to have a wedding breakfast?
The term Wedding Breakfast simply is a celebration of your first meal together as a married couple and doesn't have to be a traditional sit down plated affair - unless you want it to be? So to answer your question - no you don't have to have a Wedding Breakfast..
What do you wear to breakfast after a wedding?
Your post-wedding brunch tends to be a bit more casual than the rest of your events, so feel free to wear something that matches the tone of the gathering. For the bride, a sundress, romper, or jumpsuit feels appropriate for spring or summer; in the cooler months, jeans and a cozy sweater are absolutely fine.
What time does the wedding ceremony start?
1.15pm – Groom, best man and ushers arrive at the ceremony to greet guests. 2pm – The Ceremony. 2.30pm – Confetti shot and family photos. 3pm – Drinks reception. 5pm – Wedding breakfast. 7pm – Speeches (Father of the bride, followed by the groom and then the best man) 7.30pm – Evening guests arrive.
How much time do you need to get ready for a wedding?
The morning is usually dedicated to the couple, allowing them to get ready separately with their party. This is typically between 9am and 12 noon. Following a nice light healthy breakfast the bridal party will need time for hair, make-up and fittings.
What is the order of the wedding?
Order of the day 1 9am – Wake up and have breakfast 2 10am – Bridesmaids join you get ready 3 11am-12am – Hair and makeup 4 1.15pm – Groom, best man and ushers arrive at the ceremony to greet guests 5 2pm – The Ceremony 6 2.30pm – Confetti shot and family photos 7 3pm – Drinks reception 8 5pm – Wedding breakfast 9 7pm – Speeches (Father of the bride, followed by the groom and then the best man) 10 7.30pm – Evening guests arrive 11 8.30pm – First dance and cutting of the cake 12 9pm – Party into the night
What is the evening meal on a wedding day called?
The evening meal on your wedding day is known as the wedding breakfast , traditionally a wedding ceremony was held after mass, the whole wedding party would fast before this and so therefore this was the bride and grooms first meal, or bascially breakfast.
What is the most enjoyable part of a wedding?
One of the most enjoyable parts of the day is dinner time, also known as the wedding breakfast. Usually falling during early evening, this can be a three-course sit down meal, or a more causal buffet; there’s no set rules.
How long does it take to do a civil ceremony?
A religious ceremony can take up to an hour, while a civil ceremony can be approximately half an hour. First to arrive should be the ushers and the groom, on hand to greet guests – usually 45 minutes before the ceremony starts. This is followed by guests arriving, usually half an hour before the ceremony.
How long before wedding do you have to invite guests?
Guests & family – 30 minutes before the ceremony, advise this on your invitations.
What time do wedding guests start appearing?
If you have invited any evening-only wedding guests, this is when they will start to appear. At most weddings, this is usually around 6-7pm.
What time does a buffet start?
If you’re having a buffet or other catering (such as a food truck) as part of the evening reception, this usually starts at about 8 – 9pm. The DJ or band will usually make an announcement when the food is ready, and your guests can go up and help themselves to a plate.
Do guests follow your lead at a reception?
As this is your day, guests will generally follow your lead. So if this is the point of the reception where you want everyone to shake their stuff, you’d better lead the way! If you’ve had your parent dance, the easiest way to do this is just to stay on the dance floor and encourage others to join you.
What time does a wedding start?
Your day will start early (like, really early). When it comes to weddings, a 5 p.m. ceremony start time could easily equate to a 6 a.m. wake-up call for hair and makeup for the bride and her wedding party. And that's for an evening wedding.
What to do if you are not planning a morning wedding?
If you're on the fence about whether or not to have a morning wedding, survey some of your would-be guests as a "sample size." If it seems like an overwhelming majority are on board, go for it. If, on the other hand, your trusted loved ones express annoyance at the idea, you can probably guess others will too—and you can take that into account when making your final decision.
What is the best cocktail to serve at a wedding reception?
Mimosas or Bloody Marys could be the cocktails of choice, and a brunch menu (complete with eggs and smoked salmon instead of pasta and steak) might make the most sense. You should also take into account that a traditional wedding cake might feel a little heavy for a morning reception.
Is brunch a good wedding?
Considering a morning wedding? There are several perks— pros may charge less and a brunch reception is perfect for those who prefer a casual vibe (and dress code).
What time is the reception at a wedding?
11:30 a.m. Wedding reception begins. After cocktail hour, your guests will be led into the reception room for your celebration. For a brunch reception, you may opt for assigned seating or keep things more casual with a lounge-style setup.
How long is a morning wedding reception?
All told, a morning wedding usually lasts about 3 to 4 hours total, as opposed to a 6- or 7-hour evening wedding (but of course, talk to your venue coordinator to determine the exact amount of time you'll have access to the space). As your reception comes to a close, your DJ or band will play the last dance and guests will gather to wish you and your new spouse well and send you off into married life!
What to serve at a brunch reception?
Time to eat! At a brunch reception, you can serve the reception meal in a variety of ways. Interactive food stations, such as a waffle bar or omelet station, are particularly popular at brunch receptions—they're a more casual serving style and allow guests to mingle and sample different food options. If you're interested in a more formal experience, a plated meal is totally doable, and family-style service (where each table is given a large platter of food to share) is a nice middle ground between super-formal and totally casual.
Why is cocktail hour important?
The cocktail hour also serves an important function for your morning wedding—it provides an opportunity to take wedding party and family photos (and additional newlywed pics) if you didn't do so before the ceremony. And, if your ceremony and reception are taking place in the same room, cocktail hour gives your venue crew time to restage the space.
What time is cocktail hour?
10:30 a.m. Cocktail Hour/Family Photos. If you're hosting your ceremony and reception at different locations, you'll need to factor travel time into your morning wedding timeline. But if you just have one wedding venue, cocktail hour can begin immediately after your ceremony. Now, you don't have to have a traditional cocktail hour ...
What time is the first dance at a wedding?
You don't have to go this route if you'd prefer a more casual reception, but it can be a fun and celebratory moment. 11:45 a.m. First Dance.
How long does it take to do a pre wedding?
Hair and makeup can take anywhere from 30 minutes for a bridesmaid to 90 minutes for a bride—so you'll likely want to hire several hair stylists and makeup artists to make the process move at a faster pace.
What to do for a wedding day?
If you want to make a whole day of your wedding, your options are more open and flexible when you start with a morning wedding and breakfast reception. You could plan vintage outdoor games for the afternoon, and a barbecue for the evening, or plan for some ultra-hip food vans to serve your guests dinner. You could have a high tea in the afternoon, or organise wine-tasting, or both. If you are having a destination wedding or have a lot of guests who have travelled to be with you, you could showcase some tourist attractions nearby, such as the zoo, beach or an afternoon boat ride.
Is brunch cheaper than dinner?
The cost of a breakfast or brunch wedding is less than an evening wedding. The guests eat less, and the food is often cheaper to prepare, so the venue doesn’t charge as much. Another way to save money is to have a breakfast buffet; when your caterers are producing for a buffet it can be easier in terms of labour cost for both cooking and serving, which should save you even more.
Is it a good idea to get married at sunrise?
It depends of course on if you are a morning person , but a lovely, unique idea is to get married at sunrise. There is a beautiful light in the morning which will make for some incredible photos, and the sky will provide a stunning and colourful backdrop, offering spectacular views for your guests. The humblest of celebrations or venues can be turned into a masterpiece by adding the sunrise to your wedding day.
Can you serve bellinis at a wedding?
And while we are saving money, the bar tab presumably will be significantly lower. You might have one of those families who drink a lot no matter the time of day, but usually, the guests at a morning wedding drink less. You can serve bellinis, mimosas or other fruit cocktails, or espresso martinis, or other interesting drink options, but people will not have as much. They will be better behaved, and the bill will be much more reasonable for you.
Is breakfast a good wedding?
If you are thinking of a more intimate wedding or having a shorter plan time, the breakfast wedding is a more suitable option. Because you have more venues available you can book somewhere short notice. And an intimate celebration can get lost at night in a big reception centre but will go perfectly in a trendy café ate breakfast.
How long should a wedding breakfast be?
If you are including a receiving line, add another 15 minutes (depending on your guest list size). Image: Pinterest. Wedding Breakfast – Two and a half hours for the wedding breakfast is about right, if it includes the speeches. Your venue and caterers will have plenty of experience and tell you what’s best.
What time do weddings start in the UK?
Most ceremonies in the UK start between 11am and 3pm depending on the type of service. Church ceremonies are equally likely to take place in the morning as afternoon, while most registry office and civil ceremonies will only take place in the afternoon. However, the most common start time for a wedding ceremony is between 1pm and 3pm.
What is the Most Common Wedding Ceremony Time in the UK?
However, the most common start time for a wedding ceremony is between 1pm and 3pm.
How long should you leave for cocktail hour?
Reception Drinks – ‘Cocktail hour’ is a misnomer as you’ll want to leave about an hour and a half. This gives time for guests to freshen up and you to mingle and take photos with them before the wedding breakfast. If you are including a receiving line, add another 15 minutes (depending on your guest list size).
What is the key to a smooth wedding day?
The key to a smooth-running wedding day is planning .
What time does hair and makeup start on bridesmaids?
7am – Hair and makeup begins on bridesmaids.
What time does the photographer arrive for the wedding?
10am – Photographer arrives. Hair and makeup begins on bridesmaids.
