The couple getting married may find it especially challenging to plan the wedding. You and your spouse have likely spent months, if not years, preparing every last detail. Today is the day! The question is, "Now what?" Gather your nearest and dearest for an afterparty to celebrate.
To organise a ceremony is no little task. Venue, menu, attire, decorations, and entertainment must all be decided upon first. And after the wedding is over, don't forget the after party! You and your pals can continue the festivities in grand fashion at the after-party. But if you're not tossing it, what else can you do?
The day of the wedding is one of the most important in the lives of the married couple. In appreciation of their better beginning together, they should have a party with their loved ones. But don't forget about the after-party that follows the main event! As a visitor or member of the wedding party, you may be tasked with organising this party in honour of the happy couple. In that case, you may benefit from some advice on what makes a great reception.
However, once the wedding is over, you're left with a lot of pent-up emotion that needs to be expended. Consequently, it is critical to prepare for the future. Exactly how do you unwind after a very exciting day? How should a newlywed couple rejoice? Even if it's over, how can you maintain your regal status?
It can be difficult to think about the reception after a hectic day of wedding preparations. Yet, you wouldn't want to disappoint your guests by overlooking something they really like. So, to make sure you and your guests have a wonderful time, here are some suggestions for throwing a memorable after-party.
The very first thing you must do is establish the length of time everyone will spend at the venue before heading home. Take advantage of the situation by scheduling live entertainment in the event that guests are not promptly evicted after supper (a band or DJ).
These pointers will help you throw a bash that everyone who attends will remember as a time they had as much fun as the celebrant.
How to Organise a Post-Reception Party
You know the old adage, "after the party, comes the after-party," and that seems to be true at an increasing number of weddings nowadays. If you want to keep the party going and really let loose after the wedding, you should definitely throw an after-party after the reception
No one is compelled to have a party after a wedding, but most couples can't help but throw at least one. One would think everyone would want more time to enjoy the most important day of their lives.
Pick a Place
This is subject to change based on the size and number of guests expected at the event. After those two details are ironed out, decide if an additional location is required for the after-party. When that's the case, schedule it immediately.
It's more convenient from a logistical standpoint to hold the after party in the same place as the main event, but some locations have curfews or noise ordinances that can dampen the excitement. Locating a suitable after-party location within a reasonable distance, say, 15 minutes, is crucial in this instance.
A few guests will start leaving if you don't keep them entertained. Smaller, more private gatherings tend to be more enjoyable overall. Don't worry about the after-party until the venue is reserved.
Weiss advises that you wait until you know how much money is allocated to necessities before making any major purchases. The remainder of the funds can be used on an after-party.
As an alternative to having guests drive themselves to the after-party location, you may arrange for transportation there. Alternatively, you may propose a ride-sharing service if funds are tight.
Don't Miss Your Chance at The Correct Time
If the newlyweds decide to have an after-party, the timing of it is typically determined by the performance schedule of the band. Since bands and other entertainment are hired for a specific period of time (usually four hours), the after-party would begin as soon as the performance ended.
By hiring a DJ or creating a personalised playlist (of at least three hours' duration), you can avoid paying the musicians to work extra and save a significant amount of money.
However, there are some couples who are so looking forwards to the after party that they rush the process. After the cake is sliced and the band plays for another half an hour, the celebration will reach a fever pitch as guests transition to the after-party.
The music for the ceremony and the after party can be planned in tandem if the same DJ is in charge of both events.
The after-party music selections are crucial.
Inform Your Guests of the Specifics.
After settling on a location, you may figure out how to spread the word. This is not as big of a problem as long as the reception flows naturally into the after-party. Weiss suggests keeping the news under wraps or delegating it to the bridal party.
After-party invitations include a lot more casual possibilities. You should advise guests if the location must be changed, though. One fantastic approach to let people know is to include a remark on the wedding website or to provide an insert with the invitations.
If there is a wedding weekend itinerary or daily calendar of events, you can also promote it there. Finally, if you want to maintain the secret for as long as possible, incorporate the advice into the newlywed toast.
Plan the Decorations
After the wedding ceremony and the reception, the expectations for the next event are naturally lower. According to Weiss, "at this stage in the night, décor is less of a factor." The majority of partygoers "simply want to dance, chat, and eat after the party meal."
Changing the lighting and sprinkling some lounge furniture around the room are easy ways to contribute to the atmosphere after the party has ended, but flowers are not necessary.
Additional party essentials may be included depending on the theme. Again, party favours like glow sticks, plastic glasses, or crowns aren't required but can add a fun element to the celebration.
Consider Consumables as Well
As with any good after-party, there will be plenty of food and drink available. Practically speaking, food serves as a buffer for all the booze that has been consumed (and will be consumed) by partygoers and as fuel for all the activity that will ensue.
Weiss explains that this is the part of the meal where the "fun, greasy food" is served. Late-night snack favourites include pizza, fries, sliders, and chicken fingers, all of which fall under the casual category. Put out a spread of crackers and dips for an inexpensive way to soak up the booze.
Get Ready For The Pictures.
Weiss claims that "the best images" are obtained during a party's after-hours. "Everyone is in a great mood, the couple is ready to celebrate, and it's time to get loose, so we switch up the tunes, the lights, and even the wardrobe."
This results in some fantastic pictures of total merriment that you should not miss. Before settling on a budget, it's a good idea to talk with the filmmaker or photographer whether or not you want these details captured.
Give out disposable cameras to your guests as a low-cost way to capture memorable moments from their unique perspectives.
Relax and Enjoy Yourself.
As this is probably going to be the biggest celebration you host for yourself, you should take full advantage of it. You should celebrate your special day in whatever way makes you happiest and for as long as possible.
We promise that nobody will object if you extend the festivities for a bit longer to commemorate your love. Still not into the idea of a wedding after-party? Come up with some other innovative alternatives to the reception if you must. Even if it's just a loose outline of how to keep the party going, guests will appreciate it.
What to Do After the Wedding
Find Your Voice
There are three possible ways to continue the celebration after the wedding: the impromptu "let's meet at a bar" get-together, where guests show up and pay their own way; the "our own room in a bar" route, where everyone chips in for drinks; and the "well-organized wedding part two celebration," where guests continue the open-bar revelry with or without additional entertainment
Work, money, and potential problems are the primary distinctions . In any case, once you've settled on the theme for the after-party, everything else will fall into place.
Even if you're planning a low-key, meet-at-the-bar kind of after-party, it's still a good idea to call at least a week in advance to make sure they have not yet booked any private events for that night. You shouldn't have to frantically wander the streets in your bridal gown seeking for a decent watering hole.
Please Join Us
The best aspect about organising the party that follows a wedding is that standard wedding protocol is not required. Absolutely everybody must feel invited to join, and formal invitations are unnecessary.
Include the after-party details on a separate card with your party invitations if you want to make sure all of your attendees are aware of them (and don't make other plans). You may also include a link to the location on your wedding website.
Those planning a destination wedding might use the details provided in the weekend's itinerary to great effect. However, if you'd prefer a low-key after-party, it's perfectly OK to disseminate word of the plan at the shower and bachelor party.
Disco Indicator After: It's easy to decide who to have at the after-party: They should indeed be welcomed to the after-party as well if they are invited to the reception. Don't worry about inviting people to an after-reception party if you know some of them won't be able to make it.
But if you pick a cool spot, like the newest pub in town or a pool club, you may portray the party as an intimate gathering of close friends. Of course, you should still invite your family and their friends to the party if they want to join.
Pick a Location with Easy Access
The reception itself will be filled with congratulations and well-wishes from loved ones; the after-party is your chance to truly show your gratitude to those who have helped make your day so special.
Remember the classic adage from real estate: "location, location, location" when picking a spot for the after party. Make sure the location of the after-party is easily accessible from the wedding celebration. Locate a bar or lounge close to where most of your out-of-town clients are staying.
Instead of booking the hotel's grand ballroom for your reception, see whether a more intimate space (or perhaps a suite, if your guest list is short) is available to rent.
Hint for the after party: Some of your guests may have had too much to drink by the time the reception is over.
One of your primary concerns should be the safe transportation of your guests from the reception to the after party. If the after party location is not within walking distance, you may want to arrange for a shuttle service or have taxis lined up outside the venue as the reception ends.
Make Some Aesthetic Changes
You've planned meticulously to make your guests' jaws drop at the sight of the reception hall; now it's time to do the same for the after-party. To maintain their attention, you'll need to use unexpected decorations; therefore, you should go with a theme that is distinct from your reception.
Give out leis and serve tropical cocktails at the after-party if you're going for a more relaxed vibe after having a formal, classic wedding theme. If you opted for big band standards throughout the wedding, engage a DJ to play all of your 'eighties classics at the after-party.
Took place in a relaxed outdoor setting with a reception to follow? You can throw a Latin-themed after-party complete with a dance band, mojitos, and cigarettes rolled to order.
As an after-party hint, choose a topic that reflects who you are. The key to a successful after-party is making sure that everyone is comfortable, so if you and your pals have more fun at a neighbourhood bar than a really sophisticated club, don't stress about throwing an extravagant bash.
Please, No One Goes Hungry
Your guests had a wonderful meal at the receiving, but after minutes of partying and drinking, they will be ready for a snack. Whether or whether you decide to serve food at your after-party, it's a good idea to have some snacks available.
Adhere to the standards of design. Serving a variety of foods is as wise as switching up the decor at the ceremony and the after party. If salmon was the main course at your supper, a sushi bar at the party might have too much fish.
The food doesn't even have to be fancy; one couple we know served little burgers, fries, and milkshakes as a late-night treat.
A question for the after-party: must we have open bar? To each his own, We suppose. It depends on the location and nature of the after-party as to whether or not an open bar is warranted.
You must have an open bar if you have leased a room or suite for your reception. It's a kind and proper thing to do if you've booked out a private area of a pub. The same cannot be said for a more casual, "let's hit this pub" sort of gathering.
Put on Whatever You Like
You can usually count on people still dressing up for the after-party if it's at the bar down the street. Many attendees, though, might want to dress more casually if it's hosted in the hotel where they're staying.
Okay, unless the after-party space requires a different attire. After the event is done, it is courteous to inform attendees of the dress code. Inform your guests that they can shed their formal attire and enjoy the after-party in whatever makes them feel most at ease.
Make sure everyone knows in advance if you plan on having everyone wear a certain way for your party (for example, if you're going for a black-and-white theme or a Hawaiian hula) so that nobody feels left out.
The white dress is optional, but totally acceptable after the celebration is over and the night is still young. You can use the princess card as long as you like. Be aware that you increase the chance of spilling something on your dress the longer you stay in it, especially if you are near food or drink. It might be a good idea to just wear the upper half of your gown with jeans.
Defray the Expenses
Who then is responsible for the costs? There will probably be quite a few visitors willing to whip out their plastic and put it down on the bar. Due to the novelty of the wedding after-party, there is no established custom about who should foot the bill.
If the afterparty is held at the same resort or hotel as the reception, the bride's parents may decide to cover the costs as they see it as part of the wedding and hence their responsibility. When it comes to the after-wedding celebration, however, many couples choose to foot the bill themselves, even if their friends are helping out with the cost of the wedding itself.
Offer to divide the cost with your parents if you're not sure who will be footing the bill. It's not necessary to go all out; if you're afraid about spending too much money, just limit the open bar to a certain time frame.
Hint for the reception that follows: Your wedding day will eventually end. If you're leasing a space, the decision of when to leave can be made with relative ease, as you likely have a certain number of hours.
Aside from that, if you and your hubby are feeling lively, there's no explanation you can't party till the wee hours of the morning! Be sure to have someone contact you in the morning to get you out of bed if you have plans to host a brunch or leave early for your honeymoon.
FAQs About Wedding Party
The same hosts typically throw the wedding after-party as the wedding itself. Weiss adds that the costs of the after-party should also fall under the wedding budget.
This is a matter of both personal preference and venue restrictions. The after-party can take place in a setting totally different from that of the reception to ensure that guests won't be confused where one ends and the other begins.
This can either be at the same venue but in a different vicinity or entirely new. Or, the party can continue in the same room as the reception where "the music changes, the lighting gets lower, shoes go off,"
- Location, Location, Location. Choose a spot that's convenient to the reception.
- Pick a Theme. No need to follow the same theme as your ceremony and reception.
- Feed Your Friends. After hours of dancing and drinking, you and your guests are going to be hungry.
- Cover the Costs.
Conclusion
Every married couple will agree that their wedding day is one of the most memorable of their lives together. They ought to throw a party for their friends and family to celebrate their new, better beginning as a couple. The main event will be followed by an afterparty, so don't miss out! Some tips on hosting a fantastic party or gathering are provided below. An after-party is a great way to keep the celebration going long after the wedding ends.
More often than not, people have a better time at more intimate gatherings. Spend less on entertainment by hiring a DJ or making a custom playlist (lasting at least three hours). As one would expect, after the ceremony and reception, one's expectations for the subsequent event would be lowered. A large percentage of guests "just want to dance, chat, and eat after the party meal," as the saying goes. Party-goers need something to soak up all the alcohol they have (and will have) consumed, and food fills that void nicely.
After a wedding reception, there are three options for the party to carry on. One of the best things about planning a reception is that it doesn't have to follow the same rules as a regular wedding. It's best to give a call a week in advance, even if your party is going to be a low-key "meet at the bar" type of affair. The after-party is your opportunity to thank everyone who played a part in making your big day perfect. Select a hip locale, such as a trendy bar or pool club, to host a small group of friends.
Put the after-address party's on a separate card and include it with the party invites. Making sure everyone has a good time after the party is over is the most important thing you can do. Hire a DJ to play all of your "eighties classics" if you decided to go with big band standards for the entire wedding. If you have rented a room or suite for your reception, you are required by the venue to provide an open bar. A white dress is optional but appropriate for a black-and-white or Hawaiian hula party.
Get the word out that there will be no dress code for the after-party so that guests can feel comfortable. Keep in mind that there is a higher possibility of staining your dress. No norm exists regarding who should pay for the after-party. If you're worried about going over budget, set a time limit on the open bar. If you and your sibling aren't sure who will pay, suggest splitting the bill.
Content Summary
- Gather your nearest and dearest for an afterparty to celebrate.
- And after the wedding is over, don't forget the after party!
- You and your pals can continue the festivities in grand fashion at the after-party.
- But don't forget about the after-party that follows the main event!
- If you want to keep the party going and really let loose after the wedding, you should definitely throw an after-party after the reception.
- No one is compelled to have a party after a wedding, but most couples can't help but throw at least one.
- This is subject to change based on the size and number of guests expected at the event.
- After those two details are ironed out, decide if an additional location is required for the after-party.
- Don't worry about the after-party until the venue is reserved.
- The remainder of the funds can be used on an after-party.
- As an alternative to having guests drive themselves to the after-party location, you may arrange for transportation there.
- If the newlyweds decide to have an after-party, the timing of it is typically determined by the performance schedule of the band.
- The music for the ceremony and the after party can be planned in tandem if the same DJ is in charge of both events.
- The after-party music selections are crucial.
- After settling on a location, you may figure out how to spread the word.
- After-party invitations include a lot more casual possibilities.
- After the wedding ceremony and the reception, the expectations for the next event are naturally lower.
- Additional party essentials may be included depending on the theme.
- As with any good after-party, there will be plenty of food and drink available.
- Weiss claims that "the best images" are obtained during a party's after-hours. "
- Come up with some other innovative alternatives to the reception if you must.
- In any case, once you've settled on the theme for the after-party, everything else will fall into place.
- Include the after-party details on a separate card with your party invitations if you want to make sure all of your attendees are aware of them.
- You may also include a link to the location on your wedding website.
- Of course, you should still invite your family and their friends to the party if they want to join.
- The reception itself will be filled with congratulations and well-wishes from loved ones; the after-party is your chance to truly show your gratitude to those who have helped make your day so special.
- Make sure the location of the after-party is easily accessible from the wedding celebration.
- One of your primary concerns should be the safe transportation of your guests from the reception to the after party.
- To maintain their attention, you'll need to use unexpected decorations; therefore, you should go with a theme that is distinct from your reception.
- Whether or whether you decide to serve food at your after-party, it's a good idea to have some snacks available.
- Serving a variety of foods is as wise as switching up the decor at the ceremony and the after party.
- It depends on the location and nature of the after-party as to whether or not an open bar is warranted.
- You must have an open bar if you have leased a room or suite for your reception.
- You can usually count on people still dressing up for the after-party if it's at the bar down the street.
- After the event is done, it is courteous to inform attendees of the dress code.
- Inform your guests that they can shed their formal attire and enjoy the after-party in whatever makes them feel most at ease.
- Due to the novelty of the wedding after-party, there is no established custom about who should foot the bill.
- If the afterparty is held at the same resort or hotel as the reception, the bride's parents may decide to cover the costs as they see it as part of the wedding and hence their responsibility.
- When it comes to the after-wedding celebration, however, many couples choose to foot the bill themselves, even if their friends are helping out with the cost of the wedding itself.
- Offer to divide the cost with your parents if you're not sure who will be footing the bill.
- If you're leasing a space, the decision of when to leave can be made with relative ease, as you likely have a certain number of hours.
- Aside from that, if you and your hubby are feeling lively, there's no way you can't party till the wee hours of the morning!
- Be sure to have someone contact you in the morning to get you out of bed if you have plans to host a brunch or leave early for your honeymoon.