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I am doing the exact same timeline as you. We're having our wedding in Raleigh and reception in Cary (at Prestonwood-- swoon!).. We're definitely planning on doing the after party. I haven't decided on a venue- I do most of my partying in Chapel Hill, so I'm not too familiar with the Raleigh bar scene. Where are you thinking of having it? We're going to go back to our hotel room, have room service deliver dinner, have a little time for nooky and a nap, and then try to go out around 9 or 10.
Our wedding is at 2 with reception from 4-10 - at a hotel resort. We're having an after party at our hotel bar following the reception. We plan to be in bed by 12, though : )
Is your reception at a venue that you could easily have an afterparty/get together after the fact?
My sister's wedding was at 10:30am. Her reception had to be finished by 5pm so the restaurant could open for dinner. After the reception, we all went to the beach for a more casual photo shoot with the photographer. Then we went back to change and those who wanted to went to a local billiards hall. My BIL loves playing pool, so it was his choice. My sister changed into a sundress but she left her hair fancy, and took her veil off. This wasn't a hosted event, but the bridal party spread the word throughout the reception that the bride and groom were heading to the pool hall afterwards, and anyone was welcome to join us.
Our reception will end at 10pm and we plan on heading to the hotel bar afterwards. My FILs are hosting a brunch the morning after the wedding at 9am or 10am so we probably won't stay up too late. We chose our hotel blocks based on this idea (one hotel is more family-friendly and the hotel with the bar is very modern).
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I guess it depends on how tired you are, how social your friends are, (especially if they're traveling for the wedding and won't have anything else to do)
An after party in the evening would be awesome after an early wedding, but I can't imagine doing one late at night after an evening reception!
Just remember, an after party isn't necessary. Do what's right for you guys!
My friend who is getting married in June will be having an afterparty (mainly because her grandparents & other older family members arn't too keen on alcohol) so we will have the normal reception & then everyone (minus the older guests) will go to the afterparty with the booze & dancing.
I like the idea of after parties, if it is something that won't stress you out & that you and your FI will enjoy then go for it :)
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If we did not have one, our friends would be having one anyways... Our friends and family love a good party! We will probalby stick around for a few hours and then go celebrate ourselves : )
We had an after party at Chili's, our reception ended at around 10 PM. Many of the younger guest hiked (ie a block) to Chili's and joined us. It was very informal, pay for your own drinks/foods etc, but it was definitely fun to party with a smaller crowd.
I would think with an afternoon wedding this would be easier or not as stressing. I would say take off a few hours in the afternoon, have a nice quiet dinner and then do an after party at 8:00 or so and you will still be back by midinight ;)
It doesn't have to be anything formal, its just a place for a small crowd to gather and continue partying.
Good Luck!
i got married at 11am reception ended at 4. we went back to the hotel took a nap and then everyone went out again.. it was a great time and the nap allowed us to be refreshed for more fun!
AnnaAAA, we are doing something very similar to your friend. We are having a 10:30am ceremony and going straight into an outdoor brunch reception with no drinking or dancing - I come from a very conservative, religious background, and so this is the best way to have them there with us & not offend. A brunch reception is unique & doesn't call for "partying", anyway - I'm very excited about it! Since the wedding is outdoors in TN in July (I know, yikes!) we don't expect the brunch to go super long - 2ish, probably. We'll have brunch, of course, mingling & speeches & cake (all under a big tent, with standing fans and a smoothie bar to keep people cool) and then have a grand exit, after which we'll have a little break, freshen up and then go take some pictures just the two of us.
Then at 7:30, we are having an adults-only after party with heavy hor's d'eourves, a mostly open bar (beer & wine & a signature cocktail) and a DJ. I'm very excited about this party having a cocktail party feel very different from the casual, family-friendly atmosphere of our wedding & brunch. We'll have our first dance, family dances, & open dancing for a few hours. We are looking for a location that offers catering & bartending, and has its own atmosphere that will require little to no decoration, so we we will really have two expenses - the venue (including food & drinks) & the DJ. All of FH's friends and family will attend, and some of mine will, so it will be a fairly large gathering - 60-75 people, I would guess.
I have concerns about what people will do during the break, and transportation for out of town guests, but I am still VERY excited about this "best of both worlds" arrangement that I think will be memorable & special :)
we were going to have a morning wedding (have changed to afternoon due to proximity of gazebo to youth soccer fields/don't want to be hit in the head with an errant ball during the toasts) and then in the afternoon go out on a party barge for a cookout so I'd get to spend more time with my friends from out of town. since we had to change to the afternoon not exactly sure what we're doing now. maybe we'll use the barge for a pre-wedding cookout party? we have no attendants so I don't think there will be any wedding rehearsal, but we still want to get together with friends that night.
our wedding is from 12-5... back to the hotel for nap/alone time ;). Not sure where we are going yet, as we have been out of the lodo club thing for a while. We are going to go out in the next few weekends to check out some 30 some places.... the after party will start around 8/9 chill bar/lounge... for friends who we could not invite, family, whoever....
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We are having a morning wedding, 11:00am. The reception will be from 12:00 - 4:30pm. We were originally thinking about just going back to the hotel, have a quiet dinner together and have the whole night to ourselves, not tired from the long day and enjoy the time together.
However, I am seeing some mentions of an after party. Are you doing one? Are they better only after a late reception? Would it make sense to meet up with some after dinner or go for dinner with closer family and continue celebrating.
It was really a matter of budget that we chose afternoon instead of evening. What are you doing?
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