The Meteoric Rise of the Wedding After-Party
It goes without saying that 2020 and 2021 was a year unlike any the human race has experienced in recent history. One of the biggest changes caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus, for example, was the complete halt of the wedding industry. Though plenty of couples found creative alternatives like hosting their nuptials over Zoom, it seems that 2022 is looking much brighter for those planning to get married. One of the biggest trends experts are noticing so far is the rise of the wedding after-party. Though far from a new concept, the after-party has recently taken off.
The Reason for A After-Party
The main purpose of the after-party is to keep the festivities of the wedding reception going after the guests have to leave the venue. Since so many people were physically kept away from each other by the restrictions of 2020 and 2021, it makes total sense that the after-party has become so popular. People want to linger and get as much time in with loved ones as possible, and a party after the reception is an ideal way to accomplish this. If you think this might be a good idea for your own event, there are plenty of options to consider.
Plan From the Start
Though it takes place when the reception has concluded, you absolutely don’t want the after-party to be an afterthought. What this means is that you should factor the party into the budget from the very beginning. Being fun and spontaneous about keeping the party going might seem nice in theory, but you’ll need money to make it happen. Whether you go out somewhere or have the crowd come back to your house, cash will be needed for drinks, food, and whatever else your crew requires.
Consider the Etiquette
Depending on the size of the guest list for your event, you likely won’t be able to invite everyone to come to the after-party. While you don’t want to be rude and not invite everyone, you also have to be practical. A good rule of thumb would be to invite the people closest to you, like the members of the wedding party, direct family members, and friends you have known for a long while. Try not to be too strict, however, as it is likely someone who wasn’t invited will hear about the party and tag along.
Don’t include any information about the after-party in your formal invitation. Instead, create a separate list of guests you want to invite and send a text or email about the details.
Look at the Easiest Transitions
The arrangement of your after-party doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, you’d be better off planning around the easiest transition for your guests. If you have a hotel block reserved for guests, then an easy way to keep the party going is by hosting it in the hotel bar. As a precautionary measure, ask the management staff what time the bar closes and if it will be possible to keep it open a bit later for your guests. The less of a struggle it is to get guests from the reception to the next party, the better.
Get Ready For The After-Party
Jumping from the ceremony to the reception to the after-party can be a lot for some couples. If you want to have the most fun possible during the last leg of your wedding, factor in a small window to get ready. Give yourself an additional 20 or 30 minutes to change your outfit and freshen up in whatever way you need to. There will definitely be pictures at the after-party, so you don’t want to be caught by surprise in a state of disarray.
After a year like 2020, spending as much time as possible with loved ones can be a true joy. If you want to encourage this for your upcoming wedding, be sure to think about the exciting option of the after-party and how it lends itself to good times.