Wedding Brunch Reception Menu Ideas and Tips

For our brunch lovers out there—you will be excited to hear that brunches are hitting the wedding scene! There are so many ways to create a fun and memorable wedding brunch reception—whether going for a more formal or casual vibe.

Food stations and cocktail receptions work well for this style of wedding. Guests can try a wide variety of brunch-inspired dishes in a setting that encourages mingling and socializing.

The Beverages

Welcome Drinks create a wonderful first impression at the reception. Greet your guests with a colorful mimosa, sweet tea, smoothie shot, or mini coffee with a donut hole garnish. For an extra wow factor consider a drink wall to display mimosas or mocktails in a fun grab-and-go presentation.
Beverage Stations are a great way to let guests enjoy beverages as they wish throughout the reception and can include a DIY customization component. For a brunch wedding, we especially love an espresso coffee cart or a specialty drink bar—mimosas, bloody mary's, or smoothies!

 photo:  gwendolyn pellegrino photography 

The Menu

Food Stations work wonderfully for brunch-style menus. The options are endless and there are many ways to take classic dishes and elevate their presentation.
 

Waffle Bars with freshly made waffles served with a variety of delicious toppings such as whipped cream, strawberry sauce, chocolate sauce, bananas, chocolate chips, and nuts. 

Crepe Stations with a chef making warm crepes on request for your guests with sweet fillings such as nutella, chocolate sauce, bananas, and mascarpone cheese—or savory fillings like spinach, ham, or chicken.  

Smoothie Bowls are becoming a very popular food trend. These are great if you’re looking for a menu on the healthier side. Offer a variety of smoothie bases with toppings such as coconut flakes, chia seeds, berries and fruit, nuts, seeds, and granola.

Bacon Planks may be on the opposite side of the health spectrum but are always a crowd favorite. Elevate this presentation by serving the bacon hanging where guests can select their own pieces.

Yogurt and Berry Parfaits served in martini glasses for a more upscale feeling.

Donut Bars with your favorite donuts displayed on a custom donut wall or off our market cart for a unique presentation.

Pass mini versions of your favorite brunch dishes to allow your guests to try a wide variety of options in bite size. Here are a few of our favorites..

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Croissants

French Toast Sticks Served in Maple Syrup Dipper Cups

Mini Pancake Bites

Chicken and Waffle Sliders

Frittatas Baked in Individual Casserole Dishes

Fruit Waffle Cones

Mini Mason Jars Filled with Salad

Cereal Milk with a Donut Hole

Breakfast Pizzas

Savory Macaroons with Salmon and Cream Cheese

The Cake

For your wedding cake opt for a small ceremonial cutting cake or a stacked waffle cake and then offer a dessert bar for your guests enjoyment. Donut bars, patisserie bars, mini trifles, make your own strawberry shortbread, macaroons and tea, and fruit tart stations are excellent options for a sweet ending to your brunch reception. 

Decor and Entertainment

Lawn Games are a great entertainment option for an early afternoon or morning wedding. There are a variety of game options these days such as life size jenga, cornhole, ladder toss, and giant connect four. Have your cornhole board double as a guest book with a custom monogram and have your guests sign it!

When it comes to designing the color and look for your wedding reception consider incorporating pops of brightly colored florals - like coral, yellow, orange or pink. Another way to incorporate color is through your linen choices. Patterns are especially fun to add into the mix and can really enhance the look of the room.  

Photos left to right - Meghann Gregory Photography, Lindsay Hackney Photography, Alvah Reida Photography

 Now who's ready to start their wedding reception off with a mimosa toast!? 

Melanie & Matt | The Gardens at Elm Bank

 Melanie and Matt had the most perfect spring day in May for their wedding reception at The Gardens at Elm Bank. The lush gardens provided a beautiful backdrop for their photos. They took full advantage of the venues expansive property with cocktail hour in the gardens, a grand entrance in the tent, and the dinner reception in the carriage house.

The carriage house was decorated with lavender linens and sweeping drapery with lights, creating a soft and magical ambiance for the reception. The couple tied in rustic elements with Mr. and Mrs. signs made out of wood slabs for their sweetheart table and white washed wooden boxes for the guest table centerpieces.

The whole evening was filled with love and laughter. The couple's smiles were infectious and you couldn't help but feel the immense love between these two! We are still aw-ing over the beauty of their day.

The Team
Venue: The Gardens at Elm Bank
Photographer: Meghann Gregory Photography
Wedding Planner: Elegant Aura 
Flower Bouquets: Style and Design at Peppers Artful Events
Catering, Cake, Bartending: Peppers Artful Events

Eggnog Panna Cotta with Salted Caramel

How about finishing your dinner with eggnog instead of starting with it?

We know, some of you may be thinking, why not do both. We’ll leave that for you to decide! 

Makes 6-8 Servings

Panna Cotta Ingredients 

4    cups eggnog

½   tsp. vanilla extract

½   tsp. rum extract

½   tsp. cinnamon, ground ( we recommend Vietnamese )

¼  tsp. nutmeg, we prefer fresh shaved using whole nutmeg & shaving with a microplane

2   packets unflavored gelatin

¼  cup water, bottled

Salted Caramel Ingredients

3 1/3  cups water

1 cup sugar

1  tsp. vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean pod split and scrapped

¼  cup heavy cream

1  oz. butter, unsalted

1-2 pinches sea salt

Directions for Panna Cotta:

1. Place the water in a 2 quart size bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over to bloom (soak) for 10 minutes.

2. While the gelatin softens, heat the eggnog in a saucepan and add the remaining ingredients. Bring the eggnog mixture to a warm but not scalding temperature.

3. Once the gelatin is completely dissolved remove the eggnog mixture from the stove top. Slowly whisk the gelatin into the eggnog saucepan.  

4. Transfer your mixture into individual dishes and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2-4 hours.  

Directions for Caramel Sauce:

1. Combine the water and sugar and cook at medium/medium low heat. You with take this past the boil temp of 210 to over 260 degrees. Keep heating until your caramel has reached a golden amber color. You can gently turn your pan side to side if you feel the sides are burning but do not stir.
2. Remove the caramel from the heat once it has reached the desired color and gently whisk in the vanilla, heavy cream, butter, and salt.
3. Pour into a jar and cover until you are ready to serve your panna cotta.

Holiday Cocktail | Autumn Gold Rush

Infused bourbon brings fall flavors to life in this holiday themed drink. Perfect sipping cocktail to keep you warm from the inside out on those cool fall evenings.  

Ingredients

2 ounces apple and pear infused bourbon (recipe below) *Make a week in advance

.75 ounce honey syrup

.75 ounce lemon juice

Directions to Infuse Bourbon (Make 1 week in advance)

1. Cut 1 red apple and 1 pear into large pieces. Place fruit slices in a large jar and pour a 750 ml bottle of bourbon over the fruit.

2. Cover and shake well - every day for 3-4 days.

3. Add a vanilla bean and 2 cinnamon sticks. Allow to infuse, shaking daily for another 3-4 days. Strain.

For honey syrup: combine equal parts honey and hot water. Stir well to combine. Let cool and pour into a squeeze bottle.

Cocktail Directions: 

1. Combine all ingredients in shaker with ice and shake, then strain over fresh ice in a highball. Garnish with fruit and cinnamon stick. Enjoy!

Under the Harvest Moon Gala 

Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Under the Harvest Moon Gala, supports and celebrates the work of the Worcester County Horticultural Society, the third oldest active horticultural society in the United States, driving to inspire and encourage the practice of horticulture. 

The evening started with themed cocktails, seasonal hors d'oeuvres, a raw bar and beautiful garden views followed by a farm to table dinner and live auction. The event wouldn't be complete without live music, desserts, and fireworks under the harvest moon! It was certainly a magical and memorable evening. 

The Menu

Cocktail Hour in the Gardens

Raw Bar
Chatham Farms Oysters, crisp apple mignonette
Fresh harvested from the prime areas off the coast of Chatham

Pork Belly Slider
crispy kale, apple ancho pepper jam

Warm Golden Beet Gazpacho Shooter
creme fraiche, cucumber & dill

Grilled Eggplant & Pepper Croustade
Westfield Farm Capri mousseline

Duck Proscuitto and Mission Figs
Great Hill Farm blue cheese

Sugar Pumpkin Pancake and Free Range Chicken Confit
Lilac Hedge Farm Chicken, Stoneyfield yogurt cheese, tart apple,
Renaissance Farm radish sprouts

Dinner in the Conservatory

First Course

fall greens, carrots, mint, pickled fennel, fresh picked herbs,
edible flowers, tomatoes, cucumbers, honey lavender vinaigrette

Second Course

Herb Crusted Angus Tenderloin of Beef
asparagus and carrot bundle, turnips in cream, scallion potato cake, thyme blossoms, Angus tenderloin, caramelized apple cognac peppercorn sauce

Vegetable Hondashi
baby bok choy, rainbow carrots, shiitake mushroom, ginger, edamame, nori,
steamed jasmine rice, Hondashi broth, lotus root

Dessert and Coffee
Under the Harvest Moon

petite apple streusel pie, gold leaf apple brandy caramel bon bons,
house-made chantilly cream purple sweet potato and Grand Marnier ice cream

Coffee and Cordials

Photography by Troy B. Thompson  

VENUE FEATURE: SOCIETY OF ARTS + CRAFTS

Tito's Fountain of Youth Cocktail

Elderflower liqueur is becoming a popular ingredient to incorporate into cocktails. With its sweet and slightly floral taste it is a very versatile liqueur that mixes well with wine and other spirits. We especially enjoy it in a cocktail mixed with some bubbly and Tito's Vodka! 

Ingredients
1.5 oz Titos Vodka
3/4 oz St. Elder Elderflower Liqueur 
2 oz Prosecco or Champagne
3/4 Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
Mint Sprigs
Lime Garnish

Steps:
Muddle mint springs and lemon juice in your drinking glass then top with ice.
Add vodka and elderflower liqueur to glass.
Pour contents of glass into a cocktail shaker and shake well!
Pour back into the glass and top with prosecco and a lime wedge garnish. Enjoy!
Inspired by Tito's Vodka Recipe @ https://www.titosvodka.com/recipes/vodka-drinks/fountain-of-youth

Kitt and Bennett's Tower Hill Wedding

Tower Hill Botanic Garden was the perfect setting for Kitt and Bennett’s wedding. The color palate was a beautiful mix of soft blush, sage green and ivory with pops of gold and ruby red accented in the flowers and table settings. The groomsmen wore bright ruby polka dot bow-ties while the groom was in classic black tie. The bride was dressed in a beautiful traditional white lace gown while her bridesmaids wore soft sage chiffon.

The ceremony took place in the secret garden with floral bouquets marking the chairs at the end of each aisle framing the bridal party as they walked down the aisle.  

The Orangerie where the dinner reception took place looked stunning with their color palate. Beautiful gold chargers set the base of the place settings with magnolia leaves with the guests names ascribed in gold placed on each charger. The polka dots from the groomsmen’s ties were carried through in the design on the wineglasses and the plates the cake was served on.

Every detail from this wedding was perfectly designed and planned to create a beautiful and memorable celebration.

The Team

Photographer: Samantha Melanson Photography
Catering, Cake and Placecards: Peppers Artful Events
Venue: Tower Hill Botanic Garden

Featured Event Venue: The Harry Parker Boathouse

Community Rowing Inc (CRI), located on the banks of the Charles River in Brighton MA, is an internationally recognized attraction for rowing and a gem within the Massachusetts park system.  CRI’S community room, located in the Harry Parker Boathouse is available for rent for events from weddings to bar and bat mitzvah’s and corporate to social events.

The community room provides a 150 degree view of the Charles River with windows that frame the room and balconies overlooking the water. This space can accommodate up to 200 guests for a sit down dinner with dance floor or up to 220 for a cocktail style reception. Also available to rent is the outdoor space next to the Charles on the lower level along with the boat bays. This provides an ideal space to host a cocktail hour for your wedding or dinner event with beautiful views of the Charles River.

Host your wedding at the Harry Parker Boathouse for a memorable occasion.  Start with your ceremony on the docks of the Charles River, followed by cocktails outside on the lower level, and finish with dinner and dancing on the second floor in the community room. This is the perfect venue for anyone interested in a nautical theme wedding.

Contact us to learn more about hosting your next event at Community Rowing Inc.

FEATURED EVENT VENUE: CHARLES RIVER MUSEUM OF INDUSTRY

Charles River Museum of Industry, located in Waltham MA, is a historic 19^th century textile mill overlooking the scenic Charles River. The museum provides a unique backdrop for your wedding or special event. Your guests will get the opportunity to explore the museum's hands on exhibits featuring American innovation and invention from 1812 to modern day, including the Boston Manufacturing Company, The Orient Bicycle and Met Automobile, the Waltham Watch Factory and more!

Enjoy cocktails on the lower level of the museum surrounded by the unique exhibits, then make your way upstairs for dinner in the main function space with exposed brick and industrial beams. Whether you want a rustic feel with farm tables and bistro lighting or bright colored and fun linens, the space is a blank slate that can take on a variety of looks and styles.

The museum can accommodate events up to 300 for a cocktail style event or 160 for a seated dinner with room for dancing. They regularly host weddings, birthday parties, bar and bat mitzvahs, and special public and corporate events of all kinds.

Photo Credits: First 3 images- Mark Spooner Photography, Last 2  images - Simi Rabinowitz Photography

Contact us to learn more about hosting your event at the Charles River Museum of Industry