Breakfast Wedding Reception Ideas

Morning receptions can be elegant without breaking the bank

By Kimberly Ripley

Photo by iStockphoto.com

If you're looking to save a considerable amount of money on your wedding reception, but still want to host a classy event, consider having your wedding in the morning, followed by a lavish breakfast wedding reception. The meal can be elegant, since most breakfast foods are a lot less expensive than dinner foods (think eggs), and the cost of liquor becomes insignificant. Your guests will be awed and your purse won't be empty after a delightful breakfast wedding reception.

Food

Serve eggs in a variety of forms. Scrambled eggs, eggs Benedict and quiche are all excellent, flavorful and very inexpensive breakfast options. Choose two breakfast meat options, like bacon and sausage or ham, and a variety of breads, muffins, pastries and fruit. The meal will be satisfying and enjoyable.

Alcohol

Rather than running up the expense of a bar or even just beer and wine for your wedding reception, serve mimosas as your only alcoholic beverage. Mixing champagne (it doesn't even have to be a costly variety; the sparkle is all you need!) with orange juice and maybe a splash of cranberry juice is a tasty and refreshing cocktail and goes perfectly with the breakfast fare. In addition to the cocktail, offer lots of coffee and tea, and a few fruit juice options as well.

Decor

Decorate your breakfast reception to the nines. Serve the meal on fine china if available and use crystal and high-quality flatware. Tablecloths and linen napkins will add extra flair to the event as well. Place vases of flowers on each table and enhance them by setting them on mirrors. Light a pillar candle in the middle of each mirror for a glistening effect that makes each table glow. Worried about running up a huge bill? Don't be: Most of these rental options will be yours at a discount, because you will use and return them on the very same day, saving on rental costs.

Hall rental

Whether you're renting a hall and hiring a caterer, or hosting the reception in a restaurant, you'll likely find that the overall cost for the location is considerably less expensive because it's being held in the morning. Since most receptions are booked for evenings or afternoons, your slot is probably filling empty space and can come at a lower price. If it isn't negotiate.