Wedding After-Party: Fun, Frolics And More

A wedding after-party is a chance for the newlyweds to extend the celebrations and spend more time with their loved ones. It usually takes place immediately after the reception, either at the same venue or a different location, and can last until the early hours of the morning. While the after-party is typically hosted and paid for by the couple, it's more laid-back and casual, with no set rules for location, décor, food, or entertainment. Guests can expect anything from a live band to a DJ, and from a full meal to late-night snacks and drinks.

Food and drinks

Keep it Casual

The after-party is a time to let go of wedding etiquette and embrace a more relaxed atmosphere. This can be reflected in your food choices. While the main wedding reception usually involves a formal meal, the after-party is a great opportunity for guests to indulge in some casual comfort food. Think greasy, handheld snacks that are easy to eat while standing and mingling.

Late-Night Snacks

The after-party often takes place after the main reception, so guests will appreciate some late-night snacks to keep the party going. Bite-sized foods are a good option, such as mini hot dogs, slices of pizza, french fries, and doughnuts. Grilled cheese and tomato soup shooters are another fun, comforting option. If you're looking for something more substantial, you could provide a spread of chips and dips, or even order some cheeseburgers.

Interactive Food Stations

Interactive food stations are a great way to add a fun element to your after-party. Set up a DIY popcorn bar with various toppings, or create a pretzel wall using metal racks and hooks to hang soft pretzels. For a more upscale option, create a travelling seafood station with staff personally shucking oysters for your guests as they mingle.

Drinks

When it comes to drinks, the after-party is typically more focused on alcoholic beverages. Beer and wine are safe choices, especially if your reception didn't have an open bar. You could also offer cocktails, but be mindful of how strong they are to prevent the night from getting out of hand. Non-alcoholic options should also be provided, such as water and soft drinks.

Greasy Food Options

As your guests will likely be drinking, it's a good idea to provide plenty of greasy food options to soak up the alcohol. Finger foods like fries, pizza, and sliders are a great choice. You could also provide a spread of chips and dips, or more substantial options like cheeseburgers or bacon-wrapped veggies.

Personalisation

Infuse your personalities into the after-party menu by including dishes that hold a special meaning for you and your partner. It could be a dish you ate on your first date, or your go-to drinks as signature cocktails. This adds a personal touch to the celebration and showcases your love and unity.

Venue and timing

The wedding after-party is an optional celebration that takes place after the wedding reception. It is usually held on the same day as the wedding, directly following the reception, and can continue into the early hours of the next day. The after-party can be held at a different venue to the reception, or at the same venue in a different room or area.

If you're opting for a different venue, it's best to choose somewhere within a 15-minute radius of the reception. This is to ensure that guests don't start to leave, and to make it easy for guests to travel between the two locations. You could also provide transport for guests to the after-party venue.

If you're staying at the same venue, you can simply change the lighting and music to signal the start of the after-party. You could also hand out glow sticks or necklaces to guests, or have the band finish their set and bring in a DJ to change up the vibe.

The after-party is usually more intimate than the reception, and is a great opportunity for the newlyweds to spend more time with their nearest and dearest. All wedding guests attending the reception should be invited to the after-party, although older guests or those with young children may choose to leave.

Who's invited

A wedding after-party is a chance for the newlyweds to spend more time with their loved ones, and it is usually a more intimate gathering. It is typically hosted by the couple and takes place immediately after the reception, often at a different venue.

The guest list for the after-party is generally simple: anyone invited to the reception is invited to the after-party. It is considered polite to extend the invitation to all reception guests, even if you know some may not attend. This ensures no one feels left out. However, the after-party is usually geared towards a younger crowd, and older guests or those with young children may choose to leave before it begins.

If you wish to position the after-party as a more friends-focused gathering, you can choose a hip location like a lounge or a billiards club. But it's important to keep in mind that if any parents or older guests want to attend, they should still be welcomed.

For a more low-key after-party, you can spread the word through informal channels like word of mouth, asking your wedding party to inform guests at pre-wedding events and during the reception.

If you prefer a more organised approach, you can include details about the after-party on a separate card with the wedding invitations or post the information on your wedding website. For destination weddings, it's helpful to list the after-party details on the weekend's schedule of events.

Regardless of the style of your after-party, it's essential to communicate the plans to your guests so they can join in the continued celebrations if they wish.

Entertainment

The wedding after-party is all about letting loose and having fun with your nearest and dearest. Here are some entertainment ideas to keep the party going:

• Dancing is a must at any wedding after-party. If your venue has a late license, you can simply keep the music going and let guests dance the night away. If your venue has early cutoff times, consider moving to a different location for the after-party or hosting a silent disco.
• Live music is a great way to elevate the atmosphere and create a party vibe. Hire a saxophonist or another live musician to lead the way to the after-party venue or perform at the after-party itself.
• DJs are a popular choice for after-parties, as they can play a range of music to suit all tastes and keep the energy high.
• Karaoke is a fun way to get guests involved and performing. You can hire a DJ who offers karaoke, book a karaoke bar, or set up a pop-up karaoke booth.
• Fireworks displays are a magical way to end the night and create a memorable experience for your guests.
• Sparkler tunnels are a fun and photogenic way to send off the newlyweds and signal the start of the after-party.
• Comedy performances are a unique and unexpected after-party idea. Hiring a stand-up comedian can keep guests entertained and laughing, especially if your venue has restrictions on loud music.
• Games and activities can be a fun addition to an after-party, especially if you have a competitive group of friends and family. Consider outdoor games like croquet or giant Connect 4, or indoor games like pool or bowling.
• Photobooths and photo backdrops can provide hours of entertainment and create memorable keepsakes for guests. Set up a fun, psychedelic Alice in Wonderland-inspired backdrop or provide glow sticks, plastic glasses, or crowns for guests to pose with.

Budgeting

The wedding after-party is typically thrown by the same hosts as the wedding itself, so the costs of the after-party should fall under the wedding budget. If you're working with a tighter budget, there are plenty of ways to cut costs for the after-party. Here are some tips to help you budget for a wedding after-party:

• Choose a convenient location: It is much easier to host the after-party at the same location as the reception. If you do choose to change venues, try to pick somewhere nearby to prevent guests from dropping out.
• Keep decorations to a minimum: After wowing your guests at the ceremony and reception, the stakes are lower for the after-party. You can easily create a fun atmosphere by changing the lighting and scattering some lounge furniture.
• Provide budget-friendly food and drinks: Food and drinks are usually a package deal at an after-party. You can provide budget-friendly options such as pizza, fries, sliders, chicken fingers, or an array of chips and dips.
• Limit the alcohol you provide: If you've alerted guests about the after-party, they will likely expect the hosts to foot the bill for drinks. To save money, you could set a time limit and cover drink costs for the first hour, or provide guests with a set number of drink tickets.
• Cut down the guest list: A smaller guest list will reduce costs. You could also position the party as a mainly friends affair by choosing a hip location.
• Hire a DJ instead of a band: A DJ is typically more affordable than a live band.
• Limit the duration of the after-party: After-parties usually last for two hours, but you can always end it earlier if you're trying to save money.

Sample Wedding Budget Breakdown

• Reception venue, catering, and rentals: 45%
• Photography and/or videography: 12%
• Reception music/entertainment: 10%
• Wedding stationery: 2%
• Wedding rings: 9%
• Wedding attire: 7%
• Flowers and decor: 10%
• Favours and gifts: 1%
• Transportation: 3%
• Wedding planner/coordinator: 5-15%
• Just-in-case fund: 5-15%
• Honeymoon: 5%

Frequently asked questions