What Goes Into a Postwedding Brunch?

A brunch the day after the wedding is a great way for the families of the bride and groom and the wedding party to recount the events of the previous day. Having to say good-bye at the reception to family members and friends that you may not see for a while is usually difficult.

Ideally, if the wedding was a late-night affair, scheduling the brunch in the late morning or early in the afternoon will allow attendees (especially the bride and groom) to recover and get some much-needed sleep. Keep in mind that you and your new spouse may need to leave at a certain time in order to catch a plane to your honeymoon destination. Make sure you have plenty of time to eat and meet with the brunch guests and not feel rushed.

Who Hosts?

The bride and groom, a relative, or friend can host the brunch, or each guest can contribute. There are no hard and fast rules with regard to who hosts the brunch. Generally, the brunch should be held near the wedding location at a home or a restaurant so that guests who traveled from out of town won't be inconvenienced.

Who to Invite?

As a general rule, the wedding party and the immediate family of the bride and groom attend the brunch. The number of people invited to the brunch is usually kept to a minimum so that the newlyweds will have a chance to speak with each person individually. It’s a lovely gesture to invite people who have traveled a great distance to attend the wedding. Although invitations may not be needed if the brunch is going to include family and wedding party members only, sending out invitations is never inappropriate.