Planning A Wedding After-Party: Tips For A Fun Celebration

Planning a wedding after-party? It's important to start early so you have your pick of venues, vendors and dates. You'll need to provide refreshments, such as a light buffet of snacks or breakfast treats, and entertainment, whether that's a DJ, live musicians, or both. If there's a pool at your venue, you could fill it with floating lights, add flower arrangements, or even hire synchronised swimmers.

Refreshments: Provide snacks or breakfast treats for around a quarter to a third of your original invitees

If you're planning a wedding after-party, you'll need to provide refreshments. Plan to have enough snacks or breakfast treats for about a quarter to a third of your original invitees.

You could opt for a light buffet, or if you're feeling creative, you could theme the refreshments around the time of day. For example, if your wedding is in the morning, you could provide a fun twist on breakfast foods, like mini quiches or breakfast sandwiches. If your wedding is in the afternoon, you could offer a variety of tea sandwiches and pastries.

If you're looking for something more substantial, you could consider a food truck or caterer. This option can be more expensive, but it will ensure that your guests are well-fed and satisfied. Be sure to book your caterer or food truck well in advance to ensure availability.

Don't forget to consider any dietary restrictions or allergies your guests may have. It's always a good idea to have a variety of options, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices. By providing a range of refreshments, you'll ensure that all your guests can enjoy the celebration.

Entertainment: Hire musicians, a DJ, or both

If you're planning a wedding after-party, you'll need to provide refreshments, such as a light buffet of snacks or breakfast treats. You should plan to have enough food for about a quarter to a third of your original invitees.

When it comes to entertainment, you could hire musicians, a DJ, or both. If you're unsure, a good option is to hire musicians for cocktails and a DJ for dancing. You should also ask them what they plan to wear – most will wear tuxedos or suits, but it's best to clarify to avoid surprises.

Make sure you give yourself enough time to plan the celebration you want. The key is to start way in advance, so you have your pick of venues, vendors, and dates. It's a good idea to choose your florist at least six months ahead of time and reserve any party rentals shortly after.

Attire: Clarify what your entertainment will be wearing to avoid surprises

If you're planning a wedding after-party, it's important to give yourself enough time to plan the celebration of your dreams. You'll need to provide refreshments, such as a light buffet of snacks or breakfast treats, and plan for entertainment. If you're hiring a DJ or musicians, it's a good idea to clarify what they'll be wearing to avoid surprises. Most DJs or bands will wear tuxedos or suits, but it's best to confirm this in advance.

When planning your wedding after-party, consider the following: will your entertainment be wearing formal attire, such as tuxedos or suits, or will they be wearing something more casual? It's important to clarify this with them to avoid any surprises on the day of the event. Ask them if they have a specific dress code they need to adhere to or if they plan on wearing something unique that might clash with the theme of your after-party. For example, if you are having a pool party, you might want to ask your entertainment to wear something more casual and comfortable.

If you're hiring multiple performers or a band, make sure to ask about their attire as a group. They may have a specific style or theme they want to stick to, and it's important to ensure that their outfits complement each other and the overall aesthetic of your after-party.

Additionally, consider providing your entertainment with a brief overview of the event's theme and atmosphere. This will help them understand the context of their performance and allow them to dress appropriately. For example, if you're having a more intimate and romantic after-party, they may want to dress more formally. On the other hand, if you're planning a fun and casual gathering, they might opt for a more relaxed outfit.

By clarifying the attire of your entertainment in advance, you can ensure that their appearance aligns with your vision for the after-party and avoid any unexpected surprises on your special day.

Toasts: Keep them short and decide when they will take place

If you're planning a wedding after-party, you'll need to provide refreshments, such as a light buffet of snacks or breakfast treats. Plan for about one-quarter to one-third of your original invitees to attend.

Toasts are a traditional and wonderful part of any wedding celebration, but they can be a pain when they're too long, too maudlin, rude, or just plain dull. Keep them short and decide when they will take place. You could have two or three people speaking during or between dinner courses, with the bride and groom speaking just before cutting the cake. Ask all toasters to keep it concise and have someone in the wedding party time keep – and be strict about it!

If you're unsure about whether to have live entertainment or a DJ, you could split the difference and hire musicians for cocktails and a disc jockey for dancing. You should also ask them what they're going to wear. Most DJs or bands will wear tuxedos or suits, but it's best to clarify to avoid surprises.

It's a good idea to reserve your party rentals at least six months in advance, and you can do some light research leading up to booking to determine which companies you'd like to go with.

Dancing: Decide when it will occur and whether it will be between courses

If you're planning a wedding after-party, you'll need to provide refreshments, such as a light buffet of snacks or breakfast treats. Plan on enough food for about a quarter to a third of your original invitees.

Dancing is a key part of any wedding after-party, but when should it occur? Nowadays, most weddings tend to leave the dancing until all courses are finished, rather than having dances between courses. If you're opting for a DJ, it's a good idea to ask them what they're going to wear. Most DJs or bands will don tuxedos or suits, but it's best to clarify attire with them to avoid surprises.

If you're planning to have toasts, it's a good idea to keep them short and sweet. Plan to have two or three people speaking each time, and ask them to keep their speeches concise. Toasts can be made during or between dinner courses, with the bride and groom speaking just before cutting the cake.

It's important to start planning your after-party well in advance to ensure you have your selection of venues, vendors, and dates to pick from. Send copies of your plans to your vendors, maid of honour, and key family members who should be in the know. Choose your florist at least six months ahead of time, and reserve your party rentals around the same time.

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