Day After Wedding Brunches: Who to Invite and How to Plan Them

Thinking about whether to host a morning-after wedding brunch? We totally get it—planning a wedding is a huge task, and adding another event might feel a bit overwhelming. But don't worry! We've gathered some helpful insights to answer all your questions about hosting a post-wedding brunch, so you can decide what's best for you.

What is a post-wedding brunch?

The post-wedding brunch is a lovely tradition that gives the newlyweds a chance to say a big thank you to their loved ones for joining in their special day. This cozy get-together sets a laid-back vibe, perfect for guests to chat about the wedding fun and share their best wishes with the happy couple. Plus, it’s a sweet moment for the couple to personally thank everyone for being there and showing their support. The morning-after brunch wraps up the wedding festivities in a delightful way, offering one last chance for treasured moments and warm goodbyes before the couple heads off on their romantic honeymoon adventure.

Who throws a Post-Wedding Brunch?

The post-wedding brunch is usually a heartfelt gathering hosted by the newlyweds themselves. This cherished event can be lovingly organized by the couple or entrusted to a dear family member or a thoughtful wedding planner. It's a beautiful opportunity for you and your beloved to be present throughout, sharing in the joy and gratitude of the moment. Be sure to consider this special time together before you embark on your honeymoon adventure!

Who pays for a post-wedding brunch?

 Traditionally, the financial responsibility for the post-wedding brunch has been borne by the bride's family. However, it is also considered a thoughtful gesture for the couple or the groom's parents to assume this cost. It is important to note that organizing a post-wedding brunch will impact your overall wedding budget, so it is essential to ensure that you have the necessary funds available before deciding to host this event.

 In recent times, the convention regarding who pays for the post-wedding brunch has evolved to become more adaptable and individualized. While it was once predominantly the duty of the bride's family, couples today have the autonomy to determine who will handle this financial responsibility. Many couples opt to finance the brunch themselves as a means of expressing gratitude to their guests and prolonging the celebration. This change in responsibility highlights the contemporary trend of couples taking a more proactive role in managing their wedding planning and expenses. By covering the costs of the post-wedding brunch, couples can ensure that the event aligns with their personal vision and provides cherished experiences for their loved ones. 

Who attends a post-wedding brunch?

While it’s not required for you to invite your entire guest list to the post-wedding brunch, that is the traditional route and it is a nice gesture! If you’re not inviting everyone who attended the wedding, be sure to keep the invitation low-key and don’t post it anywhere public like your website or the detail cards of your invitation suite. You’ll want to avoid offending anyone who isn’t invited.

Some couples opt to only invite immediate family members, the wedding party, and out of town guests. If you’re not inviting everyone, it’s probably best to stick to just immediate family members and the wedding party.

Where should the post-wedding brunch take place?

A post-wedding brunch should be held somewhere convenient for your guests. Since most guests will be heading out once the meal ends, it’s a good idea to make sure the event is at or nearby the hotels that you have blocks at. A classic option is hosting the brunch at the main hotel your guests are staying at. This makes it super easy for your guests to pop in on their way home. You can also rent a restaurant or host it in your home.

If you’re not inviting all of your wedding guests but you want to host the brunch at a hotel where you have a room block, be sure to opt for a private room rather than the main dining room. This ensures that your other guests don’t accidentally walk by and see that they’ve been left out.

Pros of a Post-Wedding Brunch

There are a lot of benefits to hosting a post-wedding brunch. Here are a few reasons you should consider hosting one.

Recapping the night

Having a brunch immediately after your wedding with your guests provides the perfect opportunity to recap the night together while the memories are still fresh in everyone’s mind. Your wedding day is sure to be a whirlwind, so it’ll be great to speak to individual guests about their experiences.

Quality time

Hosting the event provides an opportunity to spend more time with people you may not see often. You’re going to be pulled in every direction during the reception will probably result in you not spending a ton of time with individual people. Having this extra time can be super nice if you are having a larger wedding and didn’t get to say hi to everyone. It’s also nice if you had people travel in from out of state that you don’t get to see very often.

Fun!

After months of celebrations and showers this will be your last major wedding event! It’ll give you one more opportunity to soak in this truly happy time celebrating your new marriage surrounded by all of your favorite people.

Cons of a Post-Wedding Brunch

With that said, there are definitely some drawbacks to putting a post-wedding brunch on your calendar the morning after your wedding. Here are a few to consider.

Cost

Although the brunches can be casual, it’s still resulting in money being taken away from your overall wedding and/or honeymoon budget. Many couples opt to host a relaxed buffet style brunch so that people can come and go, which helps with cost, but it definitely still adds up.

Time crunch

If you’re leaving for your honeymoon the day after your wedding, hosting a brunch will result in less time to prep for travel. You’ll have to make sure that the brunch is timed around your travel plans.

Exhaustion

After your wedding weekend both you and your guests are sure to be extremely tired and probably moving slowly after a night full of drinks and dancing. You may find that you are worn out and just want to cozy up and sleep in with your new spouse rather than host an event.

All that considered, is it worth it?

When it comes to planning your wedding, it's all about what feels right for you! If you're hosting an out-of-town wedding, it might be a lovely idea to bid farewell to your guests before they head home. But if your wedding is local and most folks aren't traveling or staying in hotels, you can totally skip it. Just think about what you want, how much time you have before jetting off on your honeymoon, and what your budget looks like. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules for your wedding day. Do whatever brings you and your fiancé the most joy!