What Is a Wedding After-Party? Everything You Need to KnowShape

Photo Credit: Alicia Wiley Photography

Time flies during a wedding, and after the last song plays, you may not be ready for the fun to end. If you want to extend the celebrations on your big day, consider throwing a wedding after-party. It’s a great chance to let your hair down after the ceremony and have fun with your family and friends. Here’s a guide to hosting the ultimate after-wedding bash, from how to plan one to exciting ideas. 

The Details of a Wedding After-Party 

As its name implies, a wedding after-party happens after the ceremony and reception. It continues the celebrations after the wedding and gives the newlyweds a chance to unwind and socialize more freely with their guests. If the reception venue closes at a certain time, the after-party is often held at a second location, like a bar, nightclub or someone’s house. 

 The party has a more casual and laid-back vibe, giving everyone the opportunity to kick off their heels, take off their ties and keep the night going. Depending on what you and your friends and family enjoy, this could look like a friendly game at a local bowling alley, a chance to dance all night at a club or a simple kickback at the newlyweds’ home. 

Why Have a Wedding After-Party?  

On the fence about throwing an after-party? Here are some reasons why couples choose to extend their big day. 

To Spend More Time With Guests 

The wedding ceremony and reception are more structured, which can limit the newlyweds’ interactions with their loved ones. After taking photos, doing first dances, eating dinner and having the cake-cutting, your time dancing and chatting with guests may not feel long enough.   

 

An after-party allows the couple to enjoy a more intimate and free-flowing celebration with their close family and friends. Older guests or those with kids will likely head home by this point, so it can be a more intimate gathering with just your best friends and VIP guests. You can have a few more hours to hang out, whether it be talking, playing games or partying even harder. 

To Decompress From Wedding Anxieties 

Planning a wedding is no small feat. Sadly, seven in 10 married Americans said they couldn’t enjoy their big day because they were too stressed. An after-party removes the expectation of perfection, allowing the pair to focus on the moment and have fun. 

 Also, spending quality time with close family and friends can lower blood pressure reactivity and reduce stress, making it easier for the couple to shed their wedding anxieties. Instead of the day ending in formality, it closes after hours of happy interactions and activities. 

To Continue Celebrating After the Wedding Venue Closes 

When you book a reception venue, the celebration usually has to end at a specific time. If your crew is full of night owls, a 9 or 10 p.m. cutoff may feel too early. Throwing an after-party ensures the celebration can keep going as long as you want. 

To Get More Entertainment Choices 

If the after-party location is different from the reception venue, it might create more options for entertainment that aren’t appropriate for the wedding. For example, you can’t have a pool party at a banquet hall. Likewise, you might get a noise complaint if you host a sing-along party in a hotel lobby. It’s better to relocate to a karaoke bar where your guests won’t feel shy or anxious singing their hearts out. 

Photo Credit: Indwell Weddings   (https://www.indwellweddings.com

How to Plan a Wedding After-Party 

Here are some helpful steps to plan the best after-party for your wedding. 

Choose a Venue 

For your guests’ convenience, consider spots that are within a 15-minute radius of your reception venue. That way, guests wouldn’t have to travel far to reach it, making it less likely for them to trickle off. If the hotel you’re staying at has a bar, that would be a perfect convenient option.  

Decide on Entertainment 

What do you and your partner want to do during the party? Your venue can limit or increase your entertainment options, so if you have a specific theme or activity in mind, make sure you pick a place that accommodates it. 

 If you’re unsure what activities to do but want to do something unique, consider what your wedding month offers and decide from there. For example, July weddings tend to have hotter weather, so a pool party might be a good idea. If your big day is in October, you could host a backyard bonfire in an area with beautiful fall foliage. Hang lanterns and fairy lights to light up the trees. 

Plan for the Transition 

The transition depends on where you’re hosting the after-party. If you’re throwing it in your reception venue, you can turn the vibes from formal to casual with some music and lighting changes. Replace slower love songs with a more upbeat playlist. To set the tone, consider dimmer or colored lights, which can also make the venue more inviting. 

 If you're hosting an after-party in a different location, you’ll need to establish how you and your guests will get there. Will you arrange shuttles or rideshares? Will there be designated drivers? Consider buffer time for travel and outfit changes as well. 

Stick to Sips and Snacks 

No matter how delicious your reception food selection was, it won’t hold your guests over into the wee hours. Offer elevated comfort food or snacks during your after-party. Provide fun and filling foods, like pizza, burgers, fries, sandwiches and chicken fingers. These will give your guests energy for the rest of the party while buffering the alcohol they may have been drinking. 

Popular Wedding After-Party Ideas  

Can’t decide on a theme or activity? Here are some exciting after-party ideas for weddings: 

• Club takeover: Book the VIP lounge at a local nightclub. You can let loose and enjoy a night of music and dancing. 

• Backyard bonfire: S’mores, acoustic music, fairy lights and comfy seating are all you need for this cozy gathering. 

• Karaoke night: Rent a karaoke machine or book a private room at a karaoke bar. You can prepare awards for the best performance, funniest duet or most enthusiastic singer. 

• Themed party: Choose a fun theme, such as an 80s dance bash, a speakeasy-style party or a tropical luau. Create a playlist or hire entertainment that matches your theme. 

• Pool party: Host the party at a venue with a pool. Keep pool essentials on hand, play upbeat music and serve tropical snacks and drinks. 

• Bar crawl: Why narrow it down to one place? Hit up all your favorite places as you wind down. 

 

FAQs About Wedding After-Party Etiquette 

Here are the answers to frequently asked questions about wedding after-party planning and etiquette. 

Who Pays for the After-Party? 

It depends on who’s hosting the party. If you’re planning to book a venue or host the party at your house, plan to make room in your budget for it. Members of the bridal party may offer to pay or contribute by providing food and alcohol. For a casual trip to a bar or club, guests will likely pay for their own drinks if they choose to go.  

When Should the After-Party Start?  

The after-party begins after the reception. In the same venue, a change in lighting or music choice can signal the party’s beginning. If the party is in a different location, it would start once the newlyweds and attendees get there. 

Who Should You Invite?  

If you’re having a formal after-party, it would be polite to invite all of your guests so no one feels left out, even if they choose not to join. However, if you’re just planning on hanging out with the wedding party at a local bar or someone’s house, no need to extend the invite to every aunt and uncle.   

How Do You Invite Guests?   

If you need a headcount – for instance, booking a private room at a club – plan to text or call people directly to ask if they want to come. For less structured plans, like meeting up in the hotel bar, feel free to add a note on your wedding website inviting guests to stop by after the reception.  

Make More Memories After Your Wedding 

Planning is key to an unforgettable after-wedding celebration, but be careful not to get lost in the details. There are no rules, so focus on making the party your own. Whether you and your partner want a wild dance party, a loud karaoke night or a simple backyard bonfire, the goal is to have fun, so don’t stress and remember to enjoy every moment! 

    Author bio: Cora Gold is a wedding writer and editor of Revivalist magazine. She aims to inspire couples to achieve the wedding of their dreams. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter.