Picture this, you’ve planned every detail of your wedding day, including attire down to your nuptials. But, have you figured out what will happen after the reception or if you want to end the night in private or with your loved one? A popular end of night celebration is to hit the town or venue for an after-wedding celebration or party. Some of our clients have seen this as a final hooray with their guests. But, as we know the wedding after party is not on everyone’s to-do list. So let’s break it down and you can decide are wedding after parties a DO or a DON’T? 

Take it from me, I didn’t expect that my husband and I would have an after-party. Our reception ended at 10 PM and I assumed that everyone was tired. But instead, we headed over to our hotel with our friends and family and parked ourselves in the hotel’s conference room. We played games, shared memories, and continued our celebration until the wee hours of the morning. It was a casual affair, but I wish I would have planned some aspects out. The wedding after-party is not the reception. It’s not a time when guests sit down and enjoy music with a meal during the wedding. It’s when the venue is closed and the decor is taken down. It’s for the guests and loved ones who want to celebrate just a little bit more. For example, some of our favorite after-party events have taken place at a piano bar and karaoke bar! 

Hosting a wedding after-party can be a causal or planned affair. If you’re hosting the afterparty, include the details in your budget.  Most of the time, the after-party is held at a different location, whether it is another venue or a local eatery. Plan on hosting it at another, accessible location for all. If guests are required to travel to a different location, have a preset plan on how your guests will get there. Whether you provide transportation or put in an additional transportation card in your wedding suite. All of your guests should be invited to the after-party, whether it’s a quick DJ announcement or on your wedding website, there should be no exclusions. You want to accommodate all of your guests. If you do choose to just invite certain members of your guest list, please send out private invitations. 

You don’t have to make it an extravagant event. Unless you want to place funds in your budget, specifically for decor, do not feel like it is necessary to create an after-party decoration or theme. If you want to opt for specific decor, see what you can utilize at the venue or see what you can reuse from the wedding reception. You can always opt for something fun and budget-friendly like some fun party sunglasses, glow sticks, or photo props. Add some Polaroid cameras or create an Instagram hashtag to capture the after-party. After all, some of the best wedding guest photos are candid ones, where your guests can let their hair down. 

If your reception is ending late in the evening or goes into the early morning, think about hosting an after-party brunch! Who doesn’t love brunch!? It allows your guests to get some much-needed rest and rejoin one another in the morning sunshine. Select a brunch eatery that can accommodate all of your guests and decide what your budget can afford. If you’d like to spring for a buffet, your guests would appreciate it, or message your guests that you’ll be meeting at the location, but food and drinks will not be provided. 

Whatever you decide for your wedding after-party, keep it responsible and within your budget. If you are having an after-party directly after your wedding reception, be sure your guests are leaving the venue and getting to the location safely and responsibly. As a host or hostess, it is your job to ensure your guests not only have fun but are safe in the process. 

Hosting an after-party is not a requirement, but an opportunity to spend more time celebrating or even catching up with your loved ones. If you want to lean in this direction, be sure to plan and prepare prior to the post-wedding reception. You will want to create a budget line for the event, whether it is casual or glamorous. Be sure that your guests are invited appropriately and that the plan is messaged. Most importantly, be sure that your guests are safe in getting to the separate location. So DO have fun with your guests and celebrate the night – or morning away, but DON’T feel pressured into hosting if you’d rather just enjoy some quiet time with yourself and your partner. 

Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.