Daytime Parties. Success stories or horror stories?

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I just want to know people's experiences. I probably wouldn't go to a 10am wedding sound horrendous. 😂
As far as creating a dance party. Dim lighting and plenty of alcohol. But how hyped are people trying to get before noon?

I’ve definitely heard success stories! I haven’t attended one (but actually really want to because I agree brunch food is amazing lol), but from what I can tell, it’s all about the vibe you and your partner create and your guests. If you have a DJ with the same fun music and lighting you’d have at an evening reception, plus guests who like to tear up a dance floor. I would personally rock out to a good song at 11 am, especially a couple mimosas deep. And you can start hinting to your closest friends early. I’m at the opposite end of the spectrum where our reception is going until 2 am, and I’ve “joked” with some of my girlies that I hope they’re still out there with me at the end of the night. Now they’re sharing their nap and coffee schedules for the day with me, so they understand their assignment lol.

I've been to a brunch wedding, and we enjoyed it. I will note though: our friend group was huge on brunch. A big group of us got together for Sunday brunch with bloodys and mimosas every week; so it was very much something the couple knew most people would be into. It wasn't at a wedding venue, however. They had their ceremony at a beautiful outdoor space then rented out a huge section of one of our favorite brunch restaurants that has a DJ every weekend. So we had exceptional food, bottomless bloody marys and mimosas, and good music. The atmosphere was definitely fun, but it didn't compare to the party atmosphere of a traditional evening wedding reception, and no one was up dancing or anything.

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Thank you for sharing your experience! Every guest I've told about the brunch plan has been really excited! In a conventional venue, do you think people would have taken advantage of the dance floor space? My fiance and I love to dance, but it might also be nice to put the DJ budget towards something else.

View Quoted Comment I think it 100% depends on your crowd.
At the wedding I attended, I don’t think anyone would have utilized a dance floor that early in the day. The DJ was a really important part of the atmosphere though - the music is what really set the upbeat, celebratory mood!

I love the brunch idea! I do think that expectations have to be realistic with the time of day, but I still do love the idea.

I just had a day party wedding last month! Honestly, it’s lovely. You might have some grumbling guests annoyed they have to wake up early, but who cares.


The key to a lively day wedding is a good DJ! I’m so serious. Get a DJ who has good reviews, will engage with your guests—mine did a couples’ dance and went around asking all the guests how long they’d been together, it was cute. If you like them, self-explanatory dances like the Cupid Shuffle are a great way to get everyone dancing (even the ones who hate it)
The only other factor is your guests not being Debby downers, but no amount of money will stop some people 🤷‍♀️

View Quoted Comment I’m so glad to hear a recent success story! Thanks for sharing. I’ll definitely meet with/interview DJs and ask about their experience with daytime receptions. There probably won’t be bridesmaids or groomsmen to keep the getting ready schedule reasonable. Now I’m also considering a coffee cart to help wake everyone up!

View Quoted Comment Exactly, Hoping to gauge what is realistic. Dancing would start at about 1 or 1:30 PM.

My daughter had a brunch wedding/reception and it was lovely. She had a gourmet coffee/tea cart prior to the ceremony and during "cocktail hour" along with a mimosa bar (beer and wine, too). They had a great DJ and most of the guests were dancing. They also had lawn games for those who didn't want to dance. It was over by 4:00pm and the bridal party/younger crowd rented a party bus and had a night on the town after. The older crowd was thrilled to be done by that time and still have their evening.

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What's happening for the 3 hours? What's the plan to keep your guests comfortable?

View Quoted Comment 10:30-11 ceremony
11 “cocktail hour” mimosas, espresso drinks
12 brunch, first dances/family dances1 free dancing and mingling, dessert
This is how long day-of timelines take, no?

View Quoted Comment I love the idea of having coffee/tea drinks before/during the ceremony!

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Oh yes, I read it as ceremony at 1030 and reception at 1-1:30. So I was worried about the time frame.

You're all good, yep!

View Quoted Comment I'd consider shortening or reframing your cocktail hour. Some guests may not eat breakfast if they aim to be seated by 1030am so they may be light-headed even before accepting a morning cocktail. Most people are not used to drinking champagne in the morning. Overall, brunch usually serves mimosas and Bloody Marys alongside food because drinks are strong.

**edit: if ceremony is 1030, guests will aim to be seated by 10am.

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Can you clarify what you mean by seated at 10? I haven't ever been to a wedding that served drinks or food before the ceremony. A previous comment mentioned coffee before the ceremony and I suppose we could add little bites (pastries or something) alongside that as a courtesy... But if it's advertised to guests that brunch is served at noon, it's up to them to decide to eat before coming or not-- same as having a snack before an evening wedding. Cocktail hour will have hors d'oeuvres.

View Quoted Comment Some of your guests will aim to be early for the ceremony, maybe even by 30 min. What would you serve as cocktail food? I have

*haven't been to a day wedding before, just regular party brunch, maybe others can comment.

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Some ideas from the caterer: "fried green tomatoes topped with applewood smoked bacon, micro arugula, & garlic mayo", "bagel dough stuffed with scrambled eggs, thinly sliced ham & three cheeses, seasoned with everything spice", "croissant pigs in a blanket with whole grain dijon sauce", or mini cinnamon rolls, deviled eggs, PopTarts...