Getting everyone together for one last hurrah? Keep these tips in mind to make post wedding brunch planning a breeze.

A post wedding brunch isn’t mandatory.

First and foremost, you’re under no obligation to throw a post wedding brunch. Or even attend one if someone else is throwing a post wedding brunch. Your guests will be thrilled with all the wining and dining you’ll be doing at the reception. Are your parents or your partner’s parents insisting on a brunch? Ask them not to put “Join the newlyweds for brunch” on the invites. This way no one expects you to attend. Even though it would be nice if you did!

Keep it casual.

Out-of-town wedding guests will be thankful for a post wedding brunch. Being able to fuel up before they hit the road is always nice. However, since they’ll be traveling at different times, expect a revolving door of visitors. Only a select few will be able to stick around for the entire duration.

Choose a buffet rather than a sit-down meal.

For the same reasons we just mentioned above, go with a buffet. With a plated brunch, you’re on a stricter schedule. With a post wedding brunch buffet guests can take food whenever. They’re able to come and go as they please. It provides a far more casual and relaxed atmosphere.

Pick the right time.

You don’t want to make your post wedding brunch too early. With any luck, your guests will be worn out from all the partying they did the night before. You also don’t want to make it too late so their entire day is consumed. We recommend starting your post wedding brunch at 10 or 11 and ending by 1 or 2. This seems to work out just right. Make brunch at least two hours long. This is the minimum for giving guests a chance to sit and relax before they take off.

Printed invitations aren’t necessary.

A client of ours recently decided to have a post-wedding brunch. This was after their wedding invitations were already printed. They were concerned that the brunch invitations wouldn’t exactly match the wedding invites. Trust us. No one will really be bothered if the brunch cards are ballet pink versus blush. For an informal event like this you can send evites. Add the info to your wedding web site (if everyone’s invited). Even include a note in your wedding ceremony programs. Or you can always spread the word verbally. But by all means, if you can include a card with your invites, we recommend it.

Whoever wants the brunch should pay for it.

As with all wedding events, there are no set rules anymore on who pays for what. You’re ok with skipping brunch, but your parents aren’t. It falls on them to pay for the event. It’s fine if brunch is at their home instead of a restaurant or hotel. They just have to provide enough food to feed the expected guest count.

You don’t have to invite the entire guest list.

If brunch is at someone’s house and they don’t have a palatial estate it’s not feasible to invite all 150 of your wedding guests. In that case, refer to rehearsal dinner invite rules: wedding party and dates, immediate family, and out-of-town guests. But even that’s a general guideline. You can really invite whomever you want. Just don’t put the info on your wedding web site if you’re not inviting everyone.