How To Host A Perfect Wedding Rehearsal Brunch
By Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting
Who said you have to mark your wedding rehearsal with a fancy dinner? More and more couples are embracing the rehearsal brunch, and industry experts suggest it’s a fun and cost-effective trend that is here to stay.
“As a rule, brunch is less expensive than dinner, and you’ll find a wider availability of restaurants and other venues,” confirms Alison Russell of Stonegate Manor. “You also won’t be partying into the early hours, so you can get a good night’s sleep.”
Plus, Blooms by the Box’s Joan Wyndrum adds that “brunch enables creative expression and customization, as well as creating a relaxed environment in advance of the big day.”
But no event is without its challenges, and rehearsal brunches are no exception. From your guests’ travel plans to your wedding venue’s schedule, you may need to prepare for some logistical hurdles. For instance, “if the rehearsal brunch is starting early and your attendees don’t live in the city of the events, they may have to travel in the night before to play it safe,” notes wedding hairstylist Alicia Igess Jones. “This can end up in them having to pay for lodging and other expenses for an extra day.
But if waffles and bottomless mimosas sound like a dream way to kick off your wedding weekend, follow these tips to plan a rehearsal brunch your loved ones won’t soon forget!
Photo credit: Amy Sims Photography
Don't get stressed - get Let's Get Rehearsed’s FREE rehearsal dinner guide packed full of everything you need to plan a welcome party, from saving money to celebrating the night before the big day!
Pick The Right Venue
While it’s easy to find a restaurant serving dinner in the evening, brunch is typically reserved for late morning and early afternoon on the weekends. So while exploring options, “couples need to be mindful of their brunch locations regarding timing,” says Nora Sheils of Rock Paper Coin and Bridal Bliss.
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more on venues, check out our article on choosing the perfect venue for you and take a look at our favorite venues in the Blue Ridge Mountains!)
Sheils continues, noting that “there will likely be plentiful options for a rehearsal dinner, but can you find a location that serves brunch at the time you need and for your guest count? How long does this location serve brunch? Is there a minimum you must hit?”
You’ll also need to consider your wedding venue’s rehearsal schedule. Rehearsals are often held on a weekday before your big day. But if you’re rehearsing on a Thursday or Friday, you’ll need to find somewhere flexible enough to fit brunch into those plans.
“If you have a larger group, say 50 or more guests, for your brunch, you might be able to get a restaurant to open up on a Friday and host you privately,” explains Janice Carnevale of Bellwether Events. “Or, if you want to consider an event venue for your rehearsal brunch, a Friday morning rental will be less expensive than a Friday evening.”
If you opt to host your rehearsal brunch at an event venue (including your wedding venue!), you will need to hire a caterer if in-house service is unavailable. Fortunately, most venues can provide a list of preferred vendors to help you select the best option.
In addition to adequate space and timing, your rehearsal brunch should align with the vibe you want to create throughout your wedding experience.
“Look for a space that can signal the energy you want your guests to feel the whole weekend,” encourages Mary Angelini of Key Moment Films. “Find a space that you can tie into the rest of the wedding. Pre-wedding events require both dining and socialization, so make sure there is space for both.”
Nailing down the perfect rehearsal brunch location is half the battle! Once you’ve secured a spot, you can consider the smaller details that will make your pre-nuptial celebration stand out.
Photo Credit: By Halie
Check The Menu
While brunch fare is typically lighter than dinner, you’ll want to be mindful of the midday menu, as you won’t send guests home to bed afterward.
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For menu inspiration, check out our customizable wedding rehearsal dinner menu printables.)
“Look at the menu!” stresses Jen Sulak of Weirdo Weddings. “Do they offer some items that will both satisfy and not be too heavy for the rest of your day?”
Sarah Chianese of Mangia and Enjoy! elaborates, explaining that “a delectable brunch is filling and can also send your guests into a food coma, and they may prefer to find a hammock, bed, or elsewhere to lay their carb-filled & mimosa bellies to take a nap, which could certainly hamper any rehearsal energy.”
No matter what the afternoon and evening have in store, make sure your rehearsal brunch menu is light and digestible to fuel their energy for the rest of the day. Think fish, poultry, fresh fruits, salads, and soups—save heavier options like filet mignon for your wedding menu!
Schedule An Afternoon Activity
One perk of a rehearsal brunch is enjoying the rest of the day with your closest friends and family. But how you plan that time is up to you!
“After the brunch, you can either be intentional about relaxing the night before and getting a goodnight's sleep; or plan another rehearsal dinner party that evening,” says wedding photographer Blaine Siesser of Blaine Siesser Photography. Of course, “there is no reason you can't do both.”
Juls Sharpley of Juls Sharpley Events agrees, sharing: “We love this idea and have a lot of couples who choose to do rehearsals and/or a brunch earlier in the day to get it out of the way and have the afternoon/evening to spend with their immediate families and/or just rest and prep for the next day’s festivities. Or sometimes, they host a welcome party that evening!”
Beyond a welcome party, you could plan local activities like a beach day, winery tasting, museum tour, or even a scavenger hunt around the city. Get creative and have fun with it!
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more game inspiration, check out our favorite wedding rehearsal dinner games to break the ice and take a look at these fun wedding rehearsal dinner games.)
Photo Credit: Mandee Johnson Photography
Don't get stressed - get Let's Get Rehearsed’s FREE rehearsal dinner guide packed full of everything you need to plan a welcome party, from saving money to celebrating the night before the big day!
Plan Around Pre-Wedding Logistics
Depending on your wedding week schedule, you might not have time to spend the afternoon hanging out with loved ones. Don’t worry–you’ll have plenty of time to connect at your rehearsal brunch and during the wedding!
But as you prepare for your rehearsal, Vijay Goel of Bite Catering Couture encourages couples to plan their brunch strategically around their final wedding to-dos.
“A rehearsal brunch can demand more time and energy than the day of the wedding would normally afford,” he says. “If there are last-minute items that need to be attended to, the rehearsal brunch's location in the middle of the day can make it tough to run errands while local business hours are in effect, which can dramatically shrink time to address those last-minute to-dos or fixes.”
So if you need to swing by the florist or pick up your dress, plan your location and timing around those stops so you don’t waste time!
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more unique wedding rehearsal ideas, check out ‘Does Our Rehearsal Dinner Have to Be A Dinner? What Are Our Other Options?’)
Rehearsal brunches might seem tricky to plan at first. But with the support of your wedding team, you’ll find that they’re often a memorable and budget-friendly alternative to a traditional dinner. If brunch vibes are your thing, work with your venue and planner to create a truly unforgettable pre-wedding celebration!
If you’re planning a rehearsal dinner, don’t miss some of these must-read resources:
Selecting The Right Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Venue or Location
5 Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Venues In The Blue Ridge Mountains
Fun Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Games To Enjoy With Your Guests
Does Our Rehearsal Dinner Have to Be A Dinner? What Are Our Other Options?
About Let’s Get Rehearsed!
Welcome to stress-free and easy wedding rehearsal dinner planning and ideas! Let’s Get Rehearsed is the best, most helpful planning and inspiration resource for all things wedding rehearsal dinners, wedding welcome parties, and the night before the wedding celebrations. If you’re in rehearsal dinner planning mode or looking for unique ideas, check out our real rehearsal dinner and welcome party photos, rehearsal dinner ideas and inspiration, advice for planning a wedding rehearsal dinner, and a rehearsal dinner printable and download shop.
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Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker, adjunct professor in the field of public relations, and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.