A Christmas brunch wedding not only sounds beautiful, it looks beautiful. Holiday weddings have never looked better, so let’s dive into the images by Mary Dougherty and start pinning favorites.
So picture this : you arrive a day early for vacation to your hometown. The invitation says in perfect script to choose festive holiday attire. You shop for a plaid ensemble to wear out to a show a few days later. On the wedding day, mimosas are poured and bloody Mary’s stirred. You leave feeling like you have accomplished more in one day than you did the whole month.
There is a reason brunch weddings are gaining popularity : they are so fun to be a part of.
At first Allison + Tyler pictured a destination wedding just outside of Montreal. It was a meaningful location that nodded to the Canadian side of Tyler’s family. However, everyone could come to their hometown of Buffalo more easily, and with family in mind they choose to host an epic Christmas brunch wedding. Not on the actual holiday, but a few days before, with enough time to keep celebrating in any tradition you follow.
The Buffalo Club was a beautiful city venue for this brunch wedding. It is has history and is expertly decorated for the holidays. It feels like one of the most magical place to visit, which is what everyone wants in a wedding venue.
As everyone heard from the amazing maid of honor speech by Allison’s sister Kate, the pieces were in place for them to meet sooner. Attending the same private school, visiting the same camp, and living just streets away didn’t bring them together.
Days before Tyler moved to Toronto they met at a friends engagement party. A commitment to building their relationship over years and long distance brought them to this day. I actually met Allison at Melissa and Dan’s wedding a few years earlier. It was right around the time she started dating Tyler. She told me then that she knew she wanted me to be her photographer. I felt so honored to stay in touch and get a call just days after they got engaged on Nantucket.
The dream team of vendors included Alison‘s brother Jeff Todd. Her custom dress made her look like royalty.
Photography : Mary Dougherty | Planning : Stephen Tyrpak | Hair + Makeup : Groom Service | Dress : Custom Jeff Todd | Venue : The Buffalo Club | Invitations : Moya Minns – MM Ink | Save The Dates Design : Oh Mai! Art Creations | Calligraphy : Penned by Palmer | Letterpress : Boxcar Press | Florist : Flowers By Nature | Donuts: Paula’s Donuts
Is a Brunch Wedding Right for you?
It takes a couple who has vision beyond themselves to host a morning wedding with brunch. Allison and Taylor are such a couple. These are the reasons it worked for them :
- travel – most guests would be coming home for Christmas
- holiday wedding meant decorations were on theme already
- a small bridal party prepared easily
- shooting a first look + family photos before the ceremony allowed them to be fully present with guests
- brunch wedding timing : ceremony at 11:30 appetizers at 12:30 and brunch at 2:00
- live music kept the room lively but no dancing interrupted the flow
- afterwards the couple enjoyed an intimate dinner with close friends while guests departed to their own families
