The reception is winding down after the wedding of your dreams. Everything was just as you imagined, but you’re not ready for it all to be over. Have no fear; your wedding day doesn’t have to stop here. Adding a few spirited wedding after-party ideas to the day’s agenda will keep the merriment alive and the party going!
A wedding after-party isn’t much different than any other kind — it’s a post-party blowout complete with food, drinks, and entertainment. If you’re in the early stages of wedding planning, you may be trying to decide which wedding after-party ideas will work best for you. To help, ask yourself a few questions:
- Will the party be intricately planned or a spur-of-the-moment affair?
- Will you be footing the bill or will after-party guests pay-as-they-go?
- Should guests plan to change outfits after the reception or stay in formal attire?
1. Select your style.
Settle on a style for the after-party and plan the event around it. Whether you’re interested in elongating an elegant evening with extended family or party-hopping around town with a group of close friends, choosing an “after-party vibe” early in the planning process can make it much easier to nail down event specifics later.
2. Keep the location a surprise.
If you’re looking for ways to wow your wedding guest, surprise after-partiers with the event destination on the way there. Keep in mind, however, that if you make secret after-party plans, those plans should include safe transportation for all guests, which we’ll talk more about later.
3. Turn the reception into a silent disco.
Some wedding venues have licensing-related restrictions that may hinder how late music can be played or drinks can be served. If your wedding venue has such restrictions, discuss the potential of turning the wedding reception into a silent disco for the after-party. Instead of dancing to the same speaker-produced music, guests throw on a pair of cool headphones and tune into their favorite music genre. After-party guests can dance late into the night uninterrupted without infringing on any venue policies.
4. Parade through town in a party bus.
Book a party bus and take 10, 20, 30, or even 50 of your favorite wedding guests on a late-night tour of the town. Spend your wedding after-party sipping champagne under strobe lights while taking in the sites with your nearest and dearest.
5. Hit a pool hall.
End your wedding night with some friendly competition between your most cherished loved ones. Visit a pool hall or pub to play billiards, darts, or a few rounds of pinball before the evening’s over.
6. Kick-off married life singing karaoke.
When you can’t say how you feel — sing it! Before heading back to the honeymoon suite, take the after-party to a karaoke bar to belt ballads and eat burgers. See if you can sneak a few quick recordings that will surely get a laugh at a later date.
7. Share a laugh at a stand-up show.
Couples looking for late-night entertainment should consider shuttling guests to a stand-up comedy show after the reception. Opening late and staying open into the wee hours of the morning, stand-up comedy bars, clubs, and events can be found in just about every town.
It’s your day; don’t rush it. The after-party can go on for as long as you like (or as long as the venue allows). Do not let anyone rain on your parade. Soak up the once-in-a-lifetime sunrise the next morning if it suits you!