What is a Wedding Breakfast?

If you’re diving head first into wedding planning this year, it’s likely you’re coming across loads of terms that you simply don’t understand. One of those is a ‘wedding breakfast’. And it’s not actually referring to the first meal of your day. In the wedding world, it’s entirely different! So, let’s jump in, what is a wedding breakfast?

A wedding breakfast is the first meal you have after getting married. For many couples, this is the large sit down, multi-course meal that you enjoy with your guests sometime in the afternoon, usually around 4pm.

Read on to learn more about what you eat at a wedding breakfast, how long it lasts, and where to fit it into the schedule of your day.

 

What is a Wedding Breakfast?

A wedding breakfast is the main meal you enjoy with your guests on your wedding day. It is served some time in the late afternoon, around 3-4pm, and typically consists of a multi-course menu served with wine. Some couples opt for a more casual dining option as their wedding breakfast – such as a grazing tables, buffets, or even food trucks!

Do You Have To Have a Wedding Breakfast?

No, absolutely not! Whilst it is the traditional thing to do, it’s not essential. Many modern couples are choosing to ditch the formal sit-down meal in favour of more relaxed, budget-friendly or fun alternatives – like grazing tables, barbecue-style sharing platters, food trucks, or even afternoon tea. 

Your wedding day should reflect your style, values, and vibe as a couple – so if a formal multi-course meal doesn’t feel right for you, go with something that does!

 

Why is it Called a Wedding Breakfast?

Although it sounds a bit strange, it’s called a wedding ‘breakfast’ because it is the first meal a couple enjoys together with their guests after getting married. It actually originates from the 17th century – when traditionally couples wouldn’t eat until getting married, and therefore this meal was breaking their ‘fast’ (break-fast, get it?).

 

What is the Difference Between a Wedding Breakfast & Wedding Reception?

They aren’t entirely different actually! A wedding reception is everything that takes place after the ceremony, including the cocktail hour, speeches, drinks, meal (aka wedding breakfast), and the celebrations into the night. A wedding breakfast, however, specifically refers to the main meal enjoyed after the couple exchanges vows.

 

The Timings Of a Wedding Breakfast

Managing the schedule of your special day is easier said than done, especially when timing anything related to food and drink – you want to make sure guests don’t go hungry, whilst being careful not to have too long of a gap between food being served! We’ve answered some of your most common time-related questions below:

What Time Does a Wedding Breakfast Start?

The time your wedding breakfast starts will entirely depend on the schedule of your day and when you’re choosing to have your ceremony (the timings of activities will pretty much all depend on that). However, in the UK, most couples get married at 1pm, followed by a cocktail & canape hour, then the dinner/wedding breakfast at around 4pm.

How Long Does a Wedding Breakfast Take?

If you’re having the typical three-course dinner as your wedding breakfast, expect this to take 2-2.5 hours. You may want to add half an hour to your schedule though, if you’re planning to do speeches between the main course and dessert. 

Can You Do Speeches Before the Wedding Breakfast?

Yes, you can! While many couples choose to do speeches between courses or just after dessert, it’s becoming more common to get speeches out of the way before the meal. This can help settle nerves and allow everyone to relax and enjoy their food. The key is to plan your timeline so everything runs smoothly.

What Do People Do Between the Breakfast & Evening Reception?

The evening celebration on your wedding day will typically start to look lively at around 7-8pm – typically when your evening guests start to arrive. This means there may be a quiet lull of an hour or two. 

While it’s a great time for you to freshen up or capture some golden hour photos, it’s important to keep your guests entertained and relaxed so the energy doesn’t dip. Here’s how to keep your guests entertained in between:

• Garden games 
• Photobooths
• Live music
• Guest book
• Chill-out areas (great for older guests needing a sit down!)
• Table quizzes or wedding bingo
• Roaming magicians or caricature artists
• Craft stations (great for little ones)

Ensure you offer a few light refreshments or wine during this part of your day – this helps keep the vibes flowing. 

 

What Food is Served at a Wedding Breakfast?

A typical wedding breakfast often includes a three-course meal featuring:

• Starter: such as soup, pâté, or a light salad
• Main course: like roast chicken, beef, lamb, or a vegetarian/vegan option with seasonal vegetables
• Dessert: including options like cheesecake, chocolate fondant, or a fruit tart

In addition, canapes are usually served during the drinks reception before the meal, and tea, coffee, and petit fours (bite-sized pastries and cakes) may follow the dessert.

 

Alternative Wedding Breakfast Ideas

If you’re not keen on a traditional three-course meal as your wedding breakfast, there are many alternatives available on the market today. Here’s what you could consider instead:

• Grazing tables or ‘posh’ buffets – this would be our top choice! They’re visually stunning and perfect for adding that social element to your wedding breakfast. Get in touch with us to learn more about our Wedding Grazing Tables.
• Street food vans or food trucks – great for outdoor or festival-style weddings, or if you’re looking to serve a specific cuisine like pizza, gyros, or a hog roast. You could have multiple different food truck options if your budget allows!
• Sharing platters or family-style dining – this style creates a warm, communal atmosphere. Guests can help themselves to generous platters of delicious dishes passed around the table, creating a homey feel that’s both elegant and welcoming.
• Afternoon tea – a sweet, elegant option perfect for daytime weddings. Think finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of cakes and pastries, all served with tea or bubbly!
• Brunch weddings – ideal for early morning ceremonies. Serve up toast with salmon & avocado, eggs, pancakes, pastries, and fresh fruit – washed down with a mimosa of course!

 

Choosing the Right Type Of Food For Your Breakfast

Planning the food for your special day, especially the main meal, can be extra complicated! There are many factors you need to consider, like: 

• Your venue (do they allow outside catering, or can you only have what they offer?)
• Your guest list (any dietary restrictions, allergies, or specific expectations?)
• Your budget (can you afford to spend £50+pp on a multi-course meal? If not, grazing tables and buffets can be much more cost-effective)
• Your vibe (are you going for something traditional, casual, elegant, or a bit unusual?)

If you’re not sure what type of food to serve for your wedding breakfast, speak to your caterer or wedding planner – or explore flexible options like grazing or sharing platters that tick multiple boxes. Get in touch with our team for a quote.

Get Wedding-Ready With Savery Grazing

Looking for a cost-effective but delicious alternative to a traditional sit-down meal? Let us help! At Savery Grazing, we offer a range of stunning grazing table packages that are made to suit your exact requirements, whilst fitting flexibly into your budget.

Whether you’re having an intimate gathering in a rustic venue, or a fancy affair at a manor house in the countryside – our wedding catering services will make your special day come to life.

Explore our Wedding Catering page to learn more, or get in touch with us directly for a tailored quote.

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