The After Party

This year we are seeing couples focusing on the “after party”! The after party is the late night portion of the reception. We love that brides and grooms are wanting to keep their special day going to the wee hours of the morning.

1. The first way you can prolong the wedding reception is to be sure the venue allows the longer hours. You should call ahead and see if they also allow outside food in. Bringing in snacks like pizza, hot dogs, fries, mini hamburgers and milkshakes are fun for after the main course! You want to vary as well. If you served salmon as the main entree you’ll want to serve something unrelated for the after party!

Party   Photo Cred – Two Sparks Photography 

2. The after party gives you a chance to change! You may love your dress to death but odds are it’s also huge, maybe heavy and flows all over. If you’re not that type of bride then consider rocking your dress all night. For others, think of how fun it would be to change mid scene! If you’re wearing a two piece dress you could even keep the top but put on some comfortable jeans or leggings with glitzy shoes. The after party dress is usually shorter but definitely still flashy. This is where you get to really personalize your style and wear something you might not even normally wear.

After Party Dress  Photo Cred – Jasmine’s Bridal Shop

3. The after party will generate some cost so who’s paying? Since it’s a newer trend, there is no etiquette for this. If either family offers that’s great. Sometimes the couple pays for the extended hours. Or, perhaps, you have a very generous wedding party. You can keep costs down by closing the open bar too. It doesn’t have to stay open for the entire after party. In fact, depending where you’re having the reception, you may have to move locations altogether. The after party doesn’t have to be limited to your venue!

Photo Cred – Donna Newman