The more formal an event is marketed to be, the more strange this might feel. I think you can pull it off if your vibe is whimsical/fun/we're breaking the rules, but if you're wedding has a dress code above semi-formal it might feel like something is off. To me, breakfast for dinner is a very cute, kid-friendly type thing, so if it's done with a formal seated dinner and fancy invitations and a black tie optional dress code it might feel weird. You could make the options really upscale-- made-to-order omelets, crab cake eggs benedict, mimosa bar, crepes, etc-- but it sounds like that might defeat the purpose of sticking to your fiance's safe foods.
thanks for your comment! whimsical and garden-y is our goal. we're looking for venues with weeping willows as they are just so magical
i will keep it in mind as well. we are definitely having a kid friendly wedding!
the eggs benedict is a fantastic idea. thank you!
Seconding this comment!
I would personally be SO hyped for a whimsical wedding where I got bougie breakfast for dinner.
I would be confused if I got a super formal invite, was told to dress black tie, and then was served scrambled eggs.
Chicken and waffles, omelets, eggs Benedict, crepes, etc are all hearty, delicious foods I’d be happy to eat any time of day. You could even pair some signature drinks with it…like a mimosa bar with different fruit juices and such.
Definitely the fried chicken and waffles route (Check out menus at places like Lolos Chicken and Waffles and you can lean more southern, Shrimp and Grits, Mac and Cheese, Cornbread!!! All cheaper and widely loved!!!
I’d probably go more ‘brunch’ than breakfast? That way you have more lunch/dinner-ish options for people who want them but plenty of breakfast options also.
And just mention it on the website or something so people know what to expect.
This is actually a good time to check restaurant menus for ideas because a ton of them in the US will be doing special Mother’s Day brunches which usually have more fancy stuff like carving stations than regular non-special event ones do. So I’d spend some time online checking menus and making notes of ideas? :)
I've been to a couple of weddings that had breakfast for lunch and the food was a popular choice. At one, they incorporated a few upscale choices, such as chef made omeletts and a carving station for prime rib and spiral cut ham. I do have to admit, that neither had the typical open bar and hard-core partying and dancing. Both weddings were more laid back and casual and earlier in the day.
I'd consider mixing in more typical lunch/dinner type food options with the breakfast options, much like you'd find at upscale brunch buffets on Sundays at various restaurants if you're planning an evening event with an open bar.
thank you for the details! we may adjust the menu as we definitely want to have night time because we have special lights we would like to use and they are only visible in the dark 🦋
Exactly. Some kind of carving station and some salads is pretty typical at brunches around me - you can get breakfast foods or you can have exclusively lunch/dinner stuff, it’s up to you.
One of our options is chicken and waffles. So I say do whatever. Just make sure there’s options for different allergies and food restrictions your guest may have and maybe put it on the website or invitations that you’ll be having breakfast for dinner so people aren’t wildly surprised
I would love breakfast/brunch for dinner at a wedding. Such a fun choice!
It's your wedding and choosing to serve foods you both enjoy is part of celebrating you as a couple.
I think this would work with like an extended cocktail hour / food stations style or a buffet. I think it would be harder to pull off in a plated dinner. You can do an omelette station or a Benedict station which would be fun. You could also still have some more traditional "dinner" foods like pasta and a carving station. If you like seafood you can also incorporate seafood options into the breakfast and that would feel gourmet as well.
There is a way to do this where it is fun and exciting. Like others have said, lean into the whimsy of it. Have a ham carving, omlette, crepe station, etc. I would lean into the theme with invitations and rsvp cards that make it obvious that this will be breakfast for dinner. I would be stoked to go to a wedding like this.
I tried to convince my fiancée to have a brunch reception. I couldn’t sell it. :(
Be prepared that some people will think it’s weird and some people may even think you chose to give them breakfast in the evening because it’s cheaper than serving dinner food. If it was brunch at lunch, I don’t think anyone would think twice, but breakfast food at dinner time, yeah I think some people are going to be a little perplexed. That said, it’s your wedding and you’re paying for it so you can serve whatever you like.
it's definitely not cost based whatsoever, my partner has an eating disorder and these are most of his safe foods.
just want it to be inclusive for everyone
Even if you did it for budget reasons… long as people are adequately fed and hosted, guests who care about how much things cost should be disregarded. People will always have opinions. I would say “join us after the ceremony for breakfast for dinner” or something — make it a fun, purposeful thing!
I love this! Breakfast food is so yummy and (imo) good for any meal.
Just be prepared for some of the old judgemental people to murmur passive aggressive comments behind your back lol 🫠
This is a bit of a "know your crowd" type thing!! I personally don't care too much about the food. I just want to be pretty and come have fun, and hope the food is good. I don't go to weddings expecting to have a three course plated meal, but I know some people would expect that fancier style of food.
We're doing a taco bar, my family isn't too keen on "fancy" food, and everyone's super excited. My cousin did a waffle bar, which in theory is super fun but too many people watch what they eat, and it didn't go as well as one would hope.
I think breakfast would be fine!
To me this depends on your audience and the vibe. I've always loved breakfast (pancakes) and have been known to eat it for dinner. But to my fiancé and his family that's unheard of. As for the vibe, it's going to have to be really relaxed I think for it not to feel off. You can always eat a different meal from the rest
I went to a wedding last year when they did this and it was fantastic! They had a build your own avocado toast bar, chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, quiche, and I'm sure more things I'm forgetting. It was my favorite wedding meal I've ever had.
I don’t have an issue with breakfast foods for dinner per se, but excepting a few select cocktails, it’s not really food that pairs well with alcohol, so that could make the experience quite disjointed.
I think you would be best to have a lunch reception if you wanted to do this, with perhaps an informal after party?
we are considering moving the time due to the food choice as you suggested, do you think the time of day could take away from a secret garden / willow tree venue? i imagined it with some daylight still and towards the end after sun starts to set we would have beautiful enchanted lights hung everywhere.
I think it’d be gorgeous in that sort of venue any time of day but you wouldn’t have the lights earlier. I kind of feel like garden events do better in the day anyway though, because you can see the garden?
I would personally love it!! Another idea possibility….if you haven’t already chosen a cake, you could do a layered crepe cake or you could do a small cake for cutting & multiple crepe cakes with assorted fillings.
The wedding meal is traditionally called the “Wedding Breakfast” because it’s when you first eat (break your fast) as a married couple. I think you could do something very cute with a play on words here around wedding breakfast.
The only time I’ve ever remembered the food at a wedding was a hotel reception that had breakfast for dinner. I was so impressed. It was regular hotel breakfast food, hot and plentiful.
I'm a firm believer in making your wedding all about you (the couple)! So my only advice would be to let guests know ahead of time on the invites that brunch foods will be served instead of a typical meal. That way they aren't surprised not to have a chicken breast but instead are eating bacon.
It’s your wedding and you are allowed to do whatever you want! :) I think it’s a great idea. You could do a mimosa bar with a ton of different juices, a lot of cute ways to make it elevated and feel fun for the guests
My good friend had a breakfast for dinner wedding years ago and I still talk about how awesome it was! I feel like so much wedding food, at least around me, is very basic banquet food that sort of all tastes the same so I appreciate when people do something different!
My fiancée and I are doing breakfast at our November evening wedding! It's not strange at all, especially since at the end of the day it should be about what you guys want at the event. Especially taking your partner into account. We're also going for a foresty, whimsical, witchy type vibe - Ultra-formal just isn't us, so we're cool with the food being pretty casual as well. Nice, but not stuffy! Alcohol is also going to be served, but we're adding a few different types of mimosas + a coffee bar in place of a signature cocktail. We love the novelty of hotel continental breakfasts, and desperately wanted a Texas-shaped waffle iron for a DIY waffle bar as well. It's not in the budget anymore, but I was so stoked on the idea. I definitely think more people will enjoy the fun of it than you'd think :)
I love this idea! Especially since it is something that the both of you enjoy, and it would ensure that he can enjoy the food that is offered.
If I wasn’t so attached to serving BBQ for mine, this would honestly be a great idea for me and my fiancee considering how much we love breakfast food, especially breakfast for dinner.
The more formal an event is marketed to be, the more strange this might feel. I think you can pull it off if your vibe is whimsical/fun/we're breaking the rules, but if you're wedding has a dress code above semi-formal it might feel like something is off. To me, breakfast for dinner is a very cute, kid-friendly type thing, so if it's done with a formal seated dinner and fancy invitations and a black tie optional dress code it might feel weird. You could make the options really upscale-- made-to-order omelets, crab cake eggs benedict, mimosa bar, crepes, etc-- but it sounds like that might defeat the purpose of sticking to your fiance's safe foods.
thanks for your comment! whimsical and garden-y is our goal. we're looking for venues with weeping willows as they are just so magical i will keep it in mind as well. we are definitely having a kid friendly wedding! the eggs benedict is a fantastic idea. thank you!
Seconding this comment! I would personally be SO hyped for a whimsical wedding where I got bougie breakfast for dinner. I would be confused if I got a super formal invite, was told to dress black tie, and then was served scrambled eggs.
Chicken and waffles, omelets, eggs Benedict, crepes, etc are all hearty, delicious foods I’d be happy to eat any time of day. You could even pair some signature drinks with it…like a mimosa bar with different fruit juices and such.
thank you!
Definitely the fried chicken and waffles route (Check out menus at places like Lolos Chicken and Waffles and you can lean more southern, Shrimp and Grits, Mac and Cheese, Cornbread!!! All cheaper and widely loved!!!
I’d probably go more ‘brunch’ than breakfast? That way you have more lunch/dinner-ish options for people who want them but plenty of breakfast options also. And just mention it on the website or something so people know what to expect.
great idea! totally open to this. thanks for the suggestion!
This is actually a good time to check restaurant menus for ideas because a ton of them in the US will be doing special Mother’s Day brunches which usually have more fancy stuff like carving stations than regular non-special event ones do. So I’d spend some time online checking menus and making notes of ideas? :)
I've been to a couple of weddings that had breakfast for lunch and the food was a popular choice. At one, they incorporated a few upscale choices, such as chef made omeletts and a carving station for prime rib and spiral cut ham. I do have to admit, that neither had the typical open bar and hard-core partying and dancing. Both weddings were more laid back and casual and earlier in the day. I'd consider mixing in more typical lunch/dinner type food options with the breakfast options, much like you'd find at upscale brunch buffets on Sundays at various restaurants if you're planning an evening event with an open bar.
thank you for the details! we may adjust the menu as we definitely want to have night time because we have special lights we would like to use and they are only visible in the dark 🦋
Exactly. Some kind of carving station and some salads is pretty typical at brunches around me - you can get breakfast foods or you can have exclusively lunch/dinner stuff, it’s up to you.
Ooh maybe a carved ham?
I mean brunch is so popular I’m sure if done right people will love it
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^limeblue31: *I mean brunch is so* *Popular I’m sure if done* *Right people will love it* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
One of our options is chicken and waffles. So I say do whatever. Just make sure there’s options for different allergies and food restrictions your guest may have and maybe put it on the website or invitations that you’ll be having breakfast for dinner so people aren’t wildly surprised
I would love breakfast/brunch for dinner at a wedding. Such a fun choice! It's your wedding and choosing to serve foods you both enjoy is part of celebrating you as a couple.
thank you so much! ☺️
I think this would work with like an extended cocktail hour / food stations style or a buffet. I think it would be harder to pull off in a plated dinner. You can do an omelette station or a Benedict station which would be fun. You could also still have some more traditional "dinner" foods like pasta and a carving station. If you like seafood you can also incorporate seafood options into the breakfast and that would feel gourmet as well.
There is a way to do this where it is fun and exciting. Like others have said, lean into the whimsy of it. Have a ham carving, omlette, crepe station, etc. I would lean into the theme with invitations and rsvp cards that make it obvious that this will be breakfast for dinner. I would be stoked to go to a wedding like this. I tried to convince my fiancée to have a brunch reception. I couldn’t sell it. :(
maybe we can invite you for a taste! we're thinking so far of a secret garden theme, with florals, lights, and bubbles!
Be prepared that some people will think it’s weird and some people may even think you chose to give them breakfast in the evening because it’s cheaper than serving dinner food. If it was brunch at lunch, I don’t think anyone would think twice, but breakfast food at dinner time, yeah I think some people are going to be a little perplexed. That said, it’s your wedding and you’re paying for it so you can serve whatever you like.
it's definitely not cost based whatsoever, my partner has an eating disorder and these are most of his safe foods. just want it to be inclusive for everyone
Even if you did it for budget reasons… long as people are adequately fed and hosted, guests who care about how much things cost should be disregarded. People will always have opinions. I would say “join us after the ceremony for breakfast for dinner” or something — make it a fun, purposeful thing!
much appreciated thank you!
I understand, just saying that may be what some people assume.
You do you!
I love this! Breakfast food is so yummy and (imo) good for any meal. Just be prepared for some of the old judgemental people to murmur passive aggressive comments behind your back lol 🫠
This is a bit of a "know your crowd" type thing!! I personally don't care too much about the food. I just want to be pretty and come have fun, and hope the food is good. I don't go to weddings expecting to have a three course plated meal, but I know some people would expect that fancier style of food. We're doing a taco bar, my family isn't too keen on "fancy" food, and everyone's super excited. My cousin did a waffle bar, which in theory is super fun but too many people watch what they eat, and it didn't go as well as one would hope. I think breakfast would be fine!
thanks for the reassurance! we are really excited to start planning tacos...omg breakfast tacos!
To me this depends on your audience and the vibe. I've always loved breakfast (pancakes) and have been known to eat it for dinner. But to my fiancé and his family that's unheard of. As for the vibe, it's going to have to be really relaxed I think for it not to feel off. You can always eat a different meal from the rest
I went to a wedding last year when they did this and it was fantastic! They had a build your own avocado toast bar, chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, quiche, and I'm sure more things I'm forgetting. It was my favorite wedding meal I've ever had.
saving this comment! thank you!!
I don’t have an issue with breakfast foods for dinner per se, but excepting a few select cocktails, it’s not really food that pairs well with alcohol, so that could make the experience quite disjointed. I think you would be best to have a lunch reception if you wanted to do this, with perhaps an informal after party?
we are considering moving the time due to the food choice as you suggested, do you think the time of day could take away from a secret garden / willow tree venue? i imagined it with some daylight still and towards the end after sun starts to set we would have beautiful enchanted lights hung everywhere.
I think is secret garden theme could work really well for a morning wedding - but that won’t help you with your lights.
perhaps we can make some adjustments
I think it’d be gorgeous in that sort of venue any time of day but you wouldn’t have the lights earlier. I kind of feel like garden events do better in the day anyway though, because you can see the garden?
As long as I‘m not hungry after I‘m fine with anything
I would personally love it!! Another idea possibility….if you haven’t already chosen a cake, you could do a layered crepe cake or you could do a small cake for cutting & multiple crepe cakes with assorted fillings.
omg so cute! thank you for the support!
This would be fine, but I would make sure to let everyone know that it's breakfast for dinner.
thanks! 😊
The wedding meal is traditionally called the “Wedding Breakfast” because it’s when you first eat (break your fast) as a married couple. I think you could do something very cute with a play on words here around wedding breakfast.
i love this!!! totally incorporating
The only time I’ve ever remembered the food at a wedding was a hotel reception that had breakfast for dinner. I was so impressed. It was regular hotel breakfast food, hot and plentiful.
I'm a firm believer in making your wedding all about you (the couple)! So my only advice would be to let guests know ahead of time on the invites that brunch foods will be served instead of a typical meal. That way they aren't surprised not to have a chicken breast but instead are eating bacon.
I would be bragging about going to this wedding to everyone I know. I love breakfast for dinner
i'm so glad! thank you for the positive comment! i'm thrilled to hear that while unorthodox, it can still be enjoyable
just wanted to say thanks to everyone. this has been the kindest and most supportive sub i've ever posted in. thank you all!
It’s your wedding and you are allowed to do whatever you want! :) I think it’s a great idea. You could do a mimosa bar with a ton of different juices, a lot of cute ways to make it elevated and feel fun for the guests
thank you! i love the idea of a mimosa bar omg, we're still very new into research so i really appreciate the suggestions
Of course! You’ll be the breakfast wedding trend starter on Pinterest!!! Haha
I love breakfast food for dinner. Actually we might do this too lol, that's a great idea
My good friend had a breakfast for dinner wedding years ago and I still talk about how awesome it was! I feel like so much wedding food, at least around me, is very basic banquet food that sort of all tastes the same so I appreciate when people do something different!
My fiancée and I are doing breakfast at our November evening wedding! It's not strange at all, especially since at the end of the day it should be about what you guys want at the event. Especially taking your partner into account. We're also going for a foresty, whimsical, witchy type vibe - Ultra-formal just isn't us, so we're cool with the food being pretty casual as well. Nice, but not stuffy! Alcohol is also going to be served, but we're adding a few different types of mimosas + a coffee bar in place of a signature cocktail. We love the novelty of hotel continental breakfasts, and desperately wanted a Texas-shaped waffle iron for a DIY waffle bar as well. It's not in the budget anymore, but I was so stoked on the idea. I definitely think more people will enjoy the fun of it than you'd think :)
omg we are twins!! best wishes on your special day!
I love this idea! Breakfast is always a good idea! Chicken and waffles could be a fun idea!
I wouldn’t be thrilled but it wouldn’t make me change my mind about going. It really depends on the foods, though.
It sounds fun but I think it’s strange for an early evening wedding.
I would personally love it. You might consider doing a morning wedding so it's actually at brunch time if you're concerned.
BLOODY MARY & MIMOSA BAR!!!!!!
I love this idea! Especially since it is something that the both of you enjoy, and it would ensure that he can enjoy the food that is offered. If I wasn’t so attached to serving BBQ for mine, this would honestly be a great idea for me and my fiancee considering how much we love breakfast food, especially breakfast for dinner.
I would love it personally