Day-After Wedding Brunch Rentals: Seating, Linens, Coffee

The day after the wedding, out-of-town guests are tired, a little hungry and happy to linger. A brunch for 20 to 80 people gives them one more good meal with the couple and makes the travel feel worthwhile. It also asks for far less equipment than the reception, if you plan it right.

Pick a style

The brunch should feel different from last night. Soft, bright, casual and warm usually works.

What to rent

Chairs. One per guest. Light wood chairs suit a brunch: bentwood bistro chairs, cane-back chairs or garden folding chairs for a patio. If the wedding chairs are still on site, ask the rental company about keeping a set rather than a second delivery.

Tables. 60-inch rounds seat 8, 72-inch rounds seat 10. Long tables encourage conversation but make serving harder. A buffet table needs a 6- or 8-foot banquet table with a floor-length or lap-length cloth. See banquet table sizes.

Linens. Lap-length cloths or a runner on a bare table keep the look casual. Cloth napkins are nice, and paper napkins are fine at a patio brunch. Use the tablecloth size chart if you want floor-length.

Dinnerware and glassware. Brunch needs a plate, a fork and knife, a coffee cup and a water glass per guest, plus juice or mimosa glasses. Add a bread plate if you are serving pastries. See dinnerware for brunch events.

Coffee and drink service. One 100-cup urn serves about 50 coffee drinkers; add a tea station and a juice dispenser. See how many coffee urns. For a mimosa bar, plan a table, an ice tub and glassware.

Buffet equipment. Chafing dishes, serving utensils and sneeze guards if the venue needs them. See how many chafing dishes.

Where brunches are held

• A restaurant or hotel: simplest, since they supply everything. Ask for a private room.
• The couple's family home or a rented house: you rent most things; check parking and neighbors.
• A park pavilion or garden: check permits with the park district or forest preserve and ask about power and restrooms.
• The wedding venue the next morning: often cheapest in setup, because the tables are still in place. Ask if the venue allows it.

Timing and cleanup

Tell your rental company the brunch is the day after a large event if you are ordering from the same venue. They can often combine returns.

Chicago and suburban notes

Sunday morning delivery rules matter. Some Chicago buildings restrict loading hours on weekends, and some suburban neighborhoods have noise rules for early trucks. Ask your building or village. If the brunch is outdoors, watch the forecast: a patio brunch in October needs a heater or a fall-back inside. Sunday parking can be easier than Saturday, but street cleaning and special events like the Chicago Marathon (usually in October) can close roads, so check the city's event calendar if your date is near a big race.

Ideas that feel like a brunch

• A pancake or waffle station, with a chef or self-serve.
• A mimosa bar with juices and fruit.
• A bagel board and lox table.
• A photo wall of last night's pictures on a screen or board.
• A gift opening area for early presents, if the couple is open to it.

Plan your brunch

Book a free 15-minute seating call to plan the weekend, or request a quote for a brunch near Chicago.