I think since you will be hosting from out of town, try to find a simple solution. At a restaurant, in the hotel conference room, at the home of someone who lives near the hotel who will let you use their home but you’ll pay for all the food? A food truck near the wedding venue?
My friend’s parents did host it at their (sort of small) home but on the patio. It was August. It was really hot. It was small town, so while catered, it was pretty much by a woman who made big casserole dishes (like quiche), a sheet cake, lots of salads, fruit. A pot luck style but all food catered. It was nice and relaxing. His family was from a town around 2 hours away so not a huge rush to leave.
One of my daughters will be getting married out of town. I’m planning to host a breakfast ‘reception’ sometime after the wedding for local (to me) friends. My house isn’t big enough, so it will have to be at a restaurant type place.
Daughter’s in laws hosted a casual good bye brunch the morning after the wedding at the hotel where many guests were staying. They booked a conference with room with tables so they could bring in a caterer who specialized in food from their culture. Fun, delicious buffet and nice to see folks as they popped in. They also had water and bagged snacks available for the drive home.
(As an aside, daughter booked a conference rm at the hotel so that bridesmaids and mob/mog could get hair/make-up done together. Hotel had large mirrors set up; it was convenient and reasonable. I brought in easy to eat breakfast.)
Yes, IF they end up doing a hotel block that might be an option. And re: coffee, I know many coffee shops - even like Panera or Starbucks - will do those big disposable coffee dispensers.
Keep in mind that if you just rent a room and bring in food, you probably will also need to get utensils, cups, plates, napkins, tablecloth, etc. And yes, you will need to go pick the food up, and either keep it warm or refrigerated as needed.
We let the hotel manage this…and felt it was worth the cost.
What kind of venue is available to host the brunch at? Will you have access to an oven, place settings etc.? How will you get the food/beverages to the venue (and store them during the day or two before the wedding)? You don’t want to make things hard on yourself.
We did something in a small ballroom at the hotel where the majority of D’s wedding guests stayed (we recommended a hotel but did not get a block) – it was easy, reasonably priced, and convenient. If I remember right we took a pretty basic package – eggs, bacon, bagels, muffins, cereal along with coffee, tea and juice. I did have some cookies set up with takeaway bags people to enjoy on the trip home. The brunch was appreciated by out of town guests.
It never occurred to us (or the bride’s family) to do anything the morning after. We simply went out to breakfast (away from the hotel) with another couple and, coincidentally, our son and his new wife joined us. No idea what anyone else did.
I think it’s nice you’re doing this, but most CCers are nicer than I am.
Definitely not doing all this. If we didn’t use the venue’s food we would look for a local spot to deliver bagels/pastries.whatever.
Right now I have NO info about date/venue/block of hotel, etc. I get that those items will guide me with decisions. But my nature is to gather a bunch of info and mull it over, add in the particulars when I have them and then make a decision. ;). And I like hearing what others have done.
It is also true that if they get a block of rooms at a hotel that that may be the BEST location for those who don’t have cars and will be shuttling to the airport for instance.
You may be able to find someone local to co-host. As I sit here thinking…my house is too small but her sister has a bigger house (bad parking though). My sister has a much bigger house and a buffet breakfast could work. Or her godmother. Now to convince them!
It would be very easy to get a Honeybaked ham, lots of costco breakfast items, salads, juices, etc. If it’s at Christmas, I won’t even have to decorate. Yes, yes, this may be the answer. I do have a friend who caters, but she’s very expensive; Costco is much cheaper. And my BIL is very very good at toting and carrying.
They may not even want something like this! And if not, totally ok. I just want some info stored in my mind and if/when the time is right I’ll offer it up.
My nieces wedding in Oregon there was a so very pleasant next morning breakfast option at a close by Bed and Breakfast type place. It had a large dining space that could seat like 30 and they just sort of had it open “stop by between 9 and 11am) type thing. It was really nice.
I am grateful for this query! I just submitted a catering request for a brunch after my daughter’s wedding (wedding 11/11/23) at the Holiday Inn where they booked a block of rooms for guests. I had all these ambitious thoughts but since I (once again) am not feeling my best, this sounds like an easy-peasy plan unless of course they tell me it will cost a million dollars!
We gave a date by which we wanted RSVPs returned. Invites were sent about 3 months before the wedding (save the dates had been sent way way before that). I think we gave a date 2 weeks before the wedding that replies needed to be back to us. The vast majority of guests responded very quickly. We did have to chase down a few people who probably never would have responded otherwise…and one who just had to bring a +1 who wasn’t invited…
I think the most expensive thing could be if you serve alcohol and the hotel makes you pay per drink. Some places have rules about bringing in your own liquor.
My nieces wedding website says the RSVP is due in a month. The invitations are not out. The save the dates did not go out until 3 months before the wedding.
My kids are waiting to see if their child is invited to any of the events for them to decide how to handle childcare. Her mom can watch the baby but I know my in laws would like to see their great grandchild. No one is in the same town. No childcare options in the city of the wedding.
Not getting much information and not much conversation between parties. My ex sil has us blocked so we can’t ask her.
No idea where ANYTHING will be yet!
