LOUNGING

Usually after a wedding reception the guests head home and the bride and groom start their honeymoon.  But one of the latest trends in weddings is continuing the celebration after the reception... The After Party.  While its not uncommon for people to head to someone's house, this new type of after party is open to all guests as opposed to just the closest family members who cram into a tiny house.  Some couples even open the event to friends that were not invited to the reception. 

WHY?

So why an After party? Haven't guests partied enough? There are many reasons. During the reception they may hire a band, keep things conservative. Perhaps most of the guests are a little older and music like hip-hop may not seem appropriate. (although I've seen some white haired folks getting down -- I have proof on video). Perhaps its a party crowd and it may be cheaper than extending the party. But one of the most common reasons is "to let loose".  The formalities are over and the after party is really for the young guests. The couple and their bridal party bring comfortable clothes to change into. Parents, uncles, grandparents, while told about the event are not necessarily encouraged to attend, and they don't mind. The bosses have also gone home. The couple's role as bride and groom is over... they can be themselves. 

WHERE?

The easiest location is right at the reception venue. Most facilities will usually have an empty room that they wont mind letting you use (for a reduced price). Most After parties last anywhere from 1.5 - 2 hours with alcohol served for only half of the time. Some couples will not serve alcohol so that it gives their guests time to sober up. This choice makes it less expensive. A local bar is also a popular choice but more limited and does not usually allow for your own DJ and is not private. Although the advantage is that in most cases its free.

HOW & WHAT?

A common theme is to create a LOUNGE. it can be simple with just dim lights or the entire room can be transformed with pipe and drape and uplighting and dance lighting to create a more authentic club experience. With one wedding we were part of,  instead of having a vienese/dessert hour as part of the reception,  they had the desserts served in an adjacent room which had a club theme and a second DJ.  Instead of setting up plasma screens during the reception, we set them up during the after hours party showed photos we took during the wedding. It was a lot of unexpected fun.

One bride summarized for us why she had an after party:

1) it allowed her to have a more traditional wedding reception which her very conservative family could appreciate.  (She also had a band during the reception)

2) she did not have to worry about her guests  traveling to a second location, like a bar or club.

3) she could let loose...her grandparents, and older relatives were now gone. (her parents were there but had just as much fun as the couple)

4) the only people there were her guests, not like a club where one drunk patron can ruin their party...and a VIP area was not guaranteed.

I think its a great concept.  What do you think?

Jose G