Philadelphia Sunday Wedding Ideas

Nathan Desch Photography

Not all weddings are created equal, and nowadays, couples are exploring more non-traditional ways to celebrate their nuptials than ever before. One way they’re doing this is hosting Sunday weddings! Not every wedding has to be a Saturday evening celebration, and there are many perks to moving your celebrations to a more unconventional time that may suit your personalities better.

Here are a few of the reasons why we love considering Sunday for your wedding day at Phoenixville Foundry:

Room for Creativity

The schedule for your day does not have to be the same 4:00 p.m. ceremony followed by a reception until 10:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. that most couples seem to follow. On a Sunday, you can consider fun options like a brunch wedding (donut wall anyone?) or an alternative timeframe that may get guests home a bit earlier so they can still make it to work on Monday morning refreshed. Your midday wedding could end with a happy hour after-party at your favorite local spot on Main Street, within walking distance. The sky is really the limit!

Potential Savings

One of the best parts of a Sunday wedding is the potential for discounts! Since Sunday is a non-traditional day for wedding vendors to be on-site, they’ll sometimes offer discounts to book up their schedule a bit more. When planning, don’t forget to ask what kinds of deals are offered for Sunday bookings!

Availability

In peak seasons, Friday and Saturday nights can book up potentially years in advance, leaving limited availability. To get your dream venue or vendor, you sometimes have to be a bit flexible, and Sunday weddings will allow you to do just that!

Spend Time with Guests

With a Sunday wedding, you have all weekend long to spend with your guests, especially those who are traveling in from out of town that you don’t get to see too often! You’ll have time to relax, enjoy and hit the town with them before your big day. Sometimes weddings can feel so rushed with trying to say hello to everyone that you’re not able to fully immerse yourself and enjoy; this option allows you to slow down. Consider hosting a larger rehearsal dinner on Saturday night for added time with those you love most.

Now, let’s dive into all the tips for how to make your Sunday wedding perfect. We’re going to focus on three Sunday wedding styles: Brunch, Afternoon, and Cocktail Party. These options are all diverse and so fun to plan!

Sunday Wedding Suggested Times

As we’ve mentioned, Sunday weddings are a bit different, the first difference being timing. We’re going to cover some etiquette next, but top of the list for Sunday wedding etiquette is making sure the time for the festivities is altered. Ending the soiree earlier than you would for a Friday or Saturday wedding will allow more time for people who may have to potentially travel home later on.

Here are a few suggested timelines that could work for your big day:

Brunch Fete Timeline

If you and your fiancé spend every weekend exploring the latest brunch addition in Philly, why not celebrate your love in a similar fashion with a brunch-style wedding?

7:00 a.m.	Getting Ready
9:30 a.m.	First Look & Photos
11:00 a.m.	Ceremony Begins
11:30 a.m.	Cocktail Hour
12:30 p.m.	Brunch Reception – Complete with Toasts, Dancing and Cake!
3:30 p.m.	Wedding Concludes
4:00 p.m.	After-Party “Happy Hour”

 

Afternoon Soiree Timeline

Sticking more to the traditional timeline but still ending in the early evening, the afternoon wedding is a perfect way to mix tradition with non-traditional features. It also leaves time for a great after-party at somewhere like Bluebird Distilling right around the corner!

9:00 a.m.	Getting Ready
11:30 a.m.	First Look & Photos
1:00 p.m.	Ceremony Begins
1:30 p.m.	Cocktail Hour
2:30 p.m.	Reception – Complete with Toasts, Dancing and Cake!
5:30 p.m.	Wedding Concludes
6:00 p.m.	After-Party

Cocktail Party Wedding Timeline

If you’re looking for a more casual evening option, skip the plated meal and do a cocktail party reception! Think food stations, lounge-style seating and lots of time to dance.

12:00 p.m.	Getting Ready
3:30 p.m.	First Look & Photos
5:00 p.m.	Ceremony Begins
5:30 p.m.	Cocktail Party-Style Reception Complete with Toasts, Dancing and Cake!
8:30 p.m.	Wedding Concludes

 

Sunday Wedding Etiquette

At the end of the day, your wedding day is still all about you and your fiancé. But when planning a Sunday wedding, there are some points of etiquette you may want to consider so your guests are able to fully enjoy the celebration with you! Here are our top four:

Timeline

Shift your timeline. A Sunday evening wedding that ends at midnight may not be the most kosher idea, as many will have to take off work the next day—and while some might anyway, shifting your wedding to earlier in the day or ending at a reasonable evening hour is something guests will appreciate.

Be Understanding

Not everyone will be able to make a Sunday wedding, and when planning, this is something you’ll have to consider. Are you okay with celebrating with a smaller group of close friends and family who are willing and able to take a few days off to celebrate? For many, the answer is a quick yes, but it’s something to keep in mind regardless!

Casual Vibes

For most, they associate Sunday weddings with a more casual vibe. Black tie and brunch aren’t exactly two things typically associated together, so make sure you’re transparent about the attire you expect; most will appreciate if cocktail attire is the suggestion!

Consider Religious Guests

If you have many guests that are religious, you may want to consider a late afternoon wedding or cocktail-style wedding versus a brunch, as most will still want to attend church services early Sunday morning.

Sunday Wedding Menu Themes

Part of the fun when planning a Sunday wedding is getting creative with the menu. There’s still an element of surprise when it comes to Sunday weddings, and this is your chance to wow guests with creative cuisine!

Brunch Fete Menu Inspiration

• Beverage Bars – Brunch isn’t just about the food, right? Think mimosa bar, bloody mary bar, drip coffee bar, espresso bar…we could go on and on. This is a fun, interactive touch that guests love.
• Donut Wall – For a successful brunch wedding, you must serve all the donuts! Our preferred caterers set up a mean donut wall for all to enjoy.
• Made-to-Order Stations – With the mix of breakfast and lunch comes fun, interactive station options! Don’t stop at omelets; consider a pasta or Belgian waffle station too!
• Fun Hors d’Oeuvres – Think bite-sized chicken and waffles, deviled eggs, mini quiche tarts and sprawling cheese boards.
• Tea Time – Brunch is the perfect time to break out all the tea sandwiches, scones and tasty bite-sized desserts. You could even consider crafting a specialty tea-based cocktail for the celebration.

Afternoon Soiree Menu Inspiration

• Family-Style Meal – A wedding day is about two families becoming one, and what’s more representative of a family gathering than a Sunday family-style meal? Set up long tables and get the families acquainted over a shared meal.
• Fresh Seasonal Salads – An afternoon wedding is the perfect time to pull out lunch staples like fresh salads. Our catering partners make delicious options like a baby greens salad with crumbled goat cheese, grape tomato, toasted pecan, red onion and maple dijon vinaigrette.
• Cheesesteaks – We are close to Philly, after all! A late-afternoon treat could be made-to-order cheesesteaks from one of our catering partners.

Cocktail Party Menu Inspiration

• All the Food Stations – A cocktail party wedding is the ideal setting for heavy hors d’oeuvres and stations. It’s fun to mix and match and serve up all your favorites so you can have a little bit of everything. Some ideas include a mac and cheese bar, taco bar, flatbread station, regional cuisine stations (think southern or New England-style), pretzel bar, mini-burger stations, risotto bar, or carving stations!
• Elevated Hors d’Oeuvres – If your meal is focused on stations and hors d’oeuvres, it’s time to set up your hors d’oeuvres game! Some favorites from our catering partners are: 
  • Lancaster beef sliders with whole grain mustard and pickled vegetable slaw
  • Watermelon tarts with goat cheese mousse, mint pesto and lemon
  • Vietnamese chicken spring rolls with tamarind dipping sauce
  • Herbed shrimp cocktail with Stoli cocktail sauce
• S’mores – Guests love our outdoor fire pits! This is the perfect scenario to serve up some fun gourmet s’mores for dessert.

Are you ready to explore options for your Sunday wedding at Phoenixville Foundry? Let’s chat and start brainstorming together!