10 Wedding Brunch Ideas
Of all the planning that goes into throwing a wedding ceremony and reception, planning a wedding menu can probably feel like the most daunting task. You’ll have to consider a number of things: number of guests, the time of day, if the venue allows outside catering or if everything has to be done in-house, dietary restrictions and preferences, costs per plate, alcohol or no alcohol, having kid-friendly options (if applicable), the list goes on.
However, a wedding brunch theme is in a completely different ball game of their own. What makes a brunch wedding reception unique is the predictability of the menu, cost effectiveness (i.e. they tend to be less expensive), and venue availability to name a few.
Today, I’m sharing a round-up of wedding brunch ideas that you could consider if you’re still trying to figure out what type of food you should serve at your wedding.
Wedding Brunch Ideas
If you’re open to having a daytime wedding ceremony and reception, then a brunch wedding reception may be your shining star.
A wedding brunch reception tends to lend itself to a menu of breakfast foods and brunch foods. Think french toast, eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, doughnuts, and mimosas. In this post, I’ll share some great wedding brunch ideas to try out to make your big day unique and memorable for all.
What Is A Wedding Brunch
A wedding brunch is typically best suited for those hosting a daytime or morning wedding typically before noon and usually no earlier than 9AM. Some pros and cons with having a wedding brunch include:
CON:
the early start time (will likely have to get up at dawn for hair, makeup, and photos in your wedding dress)
less time with friends and family
more limiting menu
harder to fill the dance floor
PROS:
typically less expensive
the earlier start/end time means more downtime afterwards for you and your spouse
possibly more access and availability to preferred vendors
lends itself to a more relaxed, casual affair
10 Wedding Brunch Menu Ideas
One thing about wedding brunch menus is that it almost always lends itself towards food station set ups, charcuterie boards, and grazing table food spreads. If you’re dreaming up the perfect wedding menu ideas, try this list of wedding brunch menu ideas that’ll be perfect whether you’re having a plated brunch or various food station set ups.
Chicken and Waffles
Can you really host a brunch wedding reception without serving up chicken and waffles? This classic brunch menu item lends itself to offering guests with a meal that’s both savory and sweet whether they’re in the mood for breakfast foods or lunch.
Potato Hash
Add these crispy and creamy pan seared, chopped potatoes to your wedding brunch menu. Keep things simple with bell peppers, onions, salt and pepper to make it a vegan and allergy-friendly option for your guests avoiding milk, egg, and gluten. It’s sure to be a hit!
Bloody Mary Bar
If you’re having a brunch wedding reception, OJ in champagne doesn’t have to be the only alcoholic beverage being served. You can also offer bloody marys as an acceptable before noon drink. Allow guests to make this quintessential morning cocktail their own by offering an array of herbs, spices, and sauces along with a variety of topping options like bacon, meat sticks, pickled veggies, dill pickle spears, celery stalks, olives, peppers, cheese sticks, and shrimp.
Wedding cake
Even if you’re having a daytime wedding, there’s still the expectation of there being a tiered wedding cake. Although you could still lean more towards serving up donuts, cake pops, muffins, as an alternative. Having a dessert bar or offering alternative desserts are still acceptable wedding ideas for daytime weddings.
Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites
Ingredients
2 Egg, large - 144 calories
¼ cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded - 114 calories
¼ cup Ricotta cheese, part-skim - 108 calories
¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories
¼ tsp Pepper, ground - 0 calories
1 Uncured bacon, slice - 44 calories
Instructions
This recipe works best when making 2-3 servings at one time.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Cut bacon with scissors into small pieces. Fry in pan on stovetop for 8-10 minutes on low heat, mixing frequently.
In a bowl, whisk eggs. Add in cheeses, seasonings, and bacon.
Spray a muffin tin with an oil spray, and add egg mixture (one serving of the ingredients in this recipe = about 3 muffins).
Cook for 25+ minutes. Insert fork or toothpick into egg muffins to see if it comes out clean (then you know it’s done).
No cheese? Use a dairy-free cheeses, or extra bacon.
Note: Silicone muffin tins work very well here (rather than the traditional metal or carbon steel ones).
Egg “McMuffins”
Ingredients
2 Egg, large - 144 calories
1 Uncured bacon, slice - 44 calories
1 oz Cheese, sliced cheese, full fat/ regular - 110 calories
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees and spray a muffin tin with an oil spray
Crack eggs into a small bowl and whisk with a fork so that yolks blend with whites
Pour evenly into 2 muffin sections of the muffin tin. Bake for ~15 minutes – until your eggs are cooked through. Check frequently
While eggs are cooking, fry bacon on stove top (or in the microwave if you’re in a rush!)
Make sandwiches
Bacon Bits Eggs Benedict
Ingredients
1 English muffin, whole wheat - 120 calories
2 Uncured bacon, slice - 88 calories
2 Egg, large - 144 calories
1 tsp Hot sauce (tsp) - 0 calories
1 Tbsp Hollandaise sauce - 85 calories
¼ tsp Pepper, ground - 0 calories
Instructions
Slice English muffin in half and toast.
Cut bacon into small pieces. Cook on low heat, stirring occasionally, until cooked through.
Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Reduce to simmering. Crack in one egg at a time, cooking for 3 minutes. Scoop out with a ladle and add to English muffin.
Add bacon bits, two sauces, and pepper to English muffin.
No bacon? Use turkey or soy bacon. No dairy? Skip the hollandaise sauce (you will have extra calories you can add to somewhere else!).
Asparagus and Sun Dried Tomatoes with Eggs
Ingredients
1 cup Asparagus spears, chopped - 27 calories
1 Tbsp Tomatoes, sun-dried, oil packed - 17 calories
2 Egg, large - 144 calories
½ Avocado, small - 117 calories
¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories
¼ tsp Pepper, ground - 0 calories
Instructions
Spray a pan with an oil spray.
Cut off hard ends of asparagus.
Stir fry asparagus for ~5 minutes, until cooked through.
Add sun dried tomatoes at the end.
While veggies are cooking, spray a second pan with an oil spray.
Crack eggs in pan, fry until desired consistency.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2 Caprese Stacks
Ingredients
½ Tomato, medium - 11 calories
2 oz Cheese, sliced, mozzarella, full fat/ regular - 140 calories
1 cup Leafy greens, arugula, raw - 5 calories
¼ tsp Basil, dried - 0 calories
¼ tsp Oregano - 0 calories
¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories
¼ tsp Pepper, ground - 0 calories
Instructions
Slice tomato & layer slices on top of cheese as shown in the picture.
Top with arugula and seasonings.
No dairy? Use a dairy-free cheese, or top cheese with slices of avocado.
Mini Pancake and PB Snacks
Ingredients
1 Pancakes, ~100-calorie serving, frozen or homemade - 100 calories
4 Tbsp Peanut butter, unsweetened (Tbsp) - 376 calories
1 cup Strawberries, fresh - 50 calories
Instructions
I’m using mini pancakes from Whole Foods – you can find similar ones at many grocery stores. Just choose a calorie-equivalent amount.
Bake pancakes as directed on package.
Once pancakes are cooked, spread peanut butter & make small stacks. Add 1/2 a strawberry on each stack.
You’ll likely have extra strawberries, eat them on the side!
Gluten free? Use gluten free pancakes. Avoiding peanut? Use another nut butter like almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or other allergy-friendly spread like jam.