27 Sep Want To Have A Wedding After-Party? Here’s Some Planning Help
Your wedding day is one of the times in your life that you will wish could last forever. While all good things must come to an end, you can keep your day joyously going into the wee hours with the right planning and execution. If it’s not clear, we’re talking about throwing an after-party; and, yours will be one worth remembering if you follow the helpful hints in this latest blog post.
Okay, let’s start at the beginning. What does a wedding after-party look like? How do you organize it? Should you get into the nitty-gritty details, or keep it more of a spontaneous experience? This post has some thoughts:
The Expected: At the end of the reception, you and the rest of the wedding party start desperately Yelping the closest bars where you can keep the fun going. Leaving things to chance means you could stumble upon something great — or end up at a grubby old-man bar.
The Next Level: We know planning yet another event can seem like a lot, but if your reception venue has a hard cut-off, it’s essential to plan ahead. If a good friend agrees to host it at their place, you’re golden. But you can also reserve a room at a fun, themed bar, or a conference room at your hotel. Not unique enough? Think about the guests who are most likely to stay out and what would get them psyched. A spot with live music? A nearby bowling alley or late-night arcade where everyone can get their game on? If you’re near the water, how about a bonfire on the beach or even a chartered boat? The sky’s the limit — just be sure to factor in how easy it is to get to from your venue. Read more at The Knot…
If you’re now considering an after-party, the main thing to keep in mind is this: It needs to be fun. That can take many forms and be as elaborate or as simple as makes sense for you.
While most couples who plan an after-party will either host a small gathering elsewhere at their wedding venue or head off-site for a late-night bites and drinks, very few consider whether or not they’ll need to hire performers for this portion of the evening until the very last minute. Here’s what you need to know.
No, You Don’t Need Additional Entertainment
First and foremost, it’s important to note that after-party entertainment is certainly not a requirement. If you want to spend a little extra time with guests who are able to stay late, enjoying a few last drinks and late-night snacks, that’s great, but you don’t need another hour of music to make it happen. Should you want to bring in entertainment, however, you do have options. Read more at Martha Stewart…
One of the best things about an after-party is it allows you to mingle even more closely with your guests — especially those you really want to catch up with. You just have to get them to there. Here’s how you can facilitate that:
Invitations
How do you invite someone to an after-party? Again, this isn’t as formal of an affair as your wedding, so there’s no need to include an option to RSVP on your wedding invitations. Instead, include an insert along with your wedding invitations. Word-of-mouth is also perfectly fine when it comes to inviting guests to your after-party. Have members of your wedding party start spreading the word before and even at the wedding. You can also ask your DJ or lead band member to make an announcement about the after-party as the reception winds down.
Although you might want to spend the after-party with your close friends, don’t exclude your guests who are invited to the reception. Generally, not all of your guests will come to an after-party, so you’ll end up with your close friends and family members there. Read more at Yeah Weddings…
With these tips, you’re well on your way to throwing an amazing after-party to cap an unforgettable day. You’ll definitely want to plan for what you’ll wear for it. If you’re interested in finding a wedding dress that would work for both the early and late festivities, a boho wedding dress would be an ideal option. This popular bridal gown style is among the many varieties of designer wedding dresses we stock at New York Bride & Groom of Raleigh. Visit us today — no appointment needed — to browse our unmatched selection.