4 Delicious Ideas for Your Brunch Wedding Menu

We’ve waxed plenty poetic about brunch — that magical meal that combines the best of everything, from breakfast waffles to lunch salads to dinner desserts, and whatever else you’re craving. It’s an ideal choice for a wedding reception, particularly if you’re like us, and prefer to celebrate in daylight and get a good sleep in far before the clock ticks midnight. So, use these tips from Philly-area caterers to design the brunch wedding menu of your culinary dreams.

Start With A.M. Drinks and Apps

Satisfy post-ceremony food cravings with savory snacks and drinks that break the brunch mold. Menu inspiration in the above photo, from top left:

• Smoked salmon crepes with citrus and dill crème fraiche, arugula and caviar by Neuman’s Kitchen
• Sangrita with Santa Familia Cristalino tequila by 13th Street Cocktail Catering
• Greek frittata with spinach, tomato and feta by Brûlée Catering
• Spiked Jell-O molds infused with prosecco and fruits by Neuman’s Kitchen
• Denver frittata with mushrooms, onions and peppers by Brûlée Catering
• Avocado toast with fried egg, radish and red onion by Brûlée Catering
• Palomarita with Casamigos Blanco tequila, grapefruit, orange, lime, hibiscus and arbol chili by 13th Street Cocktail Catering

Don’t Skimp on the Spreads

A DIY bagel bar, like this one by Essen Bakery, lets your guests pick their toppings of choice. Including, from left:

• Poppy-seed bagel with lox and dill schmear
• Sesame bagel with labneh, boiled egg, za’atar and olive oil
• Everything bagel with roasted veggie schmear and scallions
• Plain bagel with ricotta and seasonal jam

Slice up a “Cheese” Cake

Instead of a traditional pastry, give fromage a spin by way of Charcuterie Chic’s four-tiered creation, made entirely of cheese wheels (from top: brie, manchego, queso fresco and reggianito). To serve, cut each wheel into quarters. Then crumble the queso fresco and reggianito, slice the manchego, and spread the brie.

Save Room for Pastries

Whether they’re sweet or savory, these carb-loaded twists on breakfast classics ensure your guests get their fill. Menu inspiration from top left:

• Creamed chipped beef in mini brioche topped with a fried egg by Peachtree Catering and Events
• Waffles with whipped cream, candied walnuts and blueberry compote by Joshua’s Catering
• Mini challah French toasts with blueberry sauce, oven-dried blueberries and whipped mascarpone by Peachtree Catering and Events
• Smoked salmon blini by Joshua’s Catering
• Goat cheese and watermelon crostini by Joshua’s Catering
• Mini heart-shaped pithivier with sweet almond cream by Peachtree Catering and Events
• Strawberry shortcake stack by Peachtree Catering and Events
• Heirloom tomato tarts with a balsamic reduction by Joshua’s Catering
• Brie and apple crostini with cranberries by Joshua’s Catering
• Mini crepe skewer with blueberry compote by Joshua’s Catering
• Waffle charcuterie board with seasonal fruits, dips and toppings by Joshua’s Catering

Maximalist Studios is a one-stop shop for private events and commercial photo sessions, with various spaces, furniture and myriad props, many of which were used in these photos.

Published as “Morning Toast” in the summer/fall issue of Philadelphia Wedding.