Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Miami | Alee Gleiberman

Most newlyweds don’t want their big day to end, and with a wedding after party, it doesn’t have to! 

Seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be surrounded by close friends and family members and celebrate to the max. 

For those who want to stretch their wedding celebration into the early hours — maybe even the next day — we’ve got all the details on planning the wedding after party bash of a lifetime. 

Do You Need a Wedding After Party?

 Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Washington, D.C. | Asha Bailey

The short answer is no, of course not. Your wedding is your big day. Therefore, you get to choose how you’d like to celebrate.

However, there’s a reason why after parties are trending.

Here are some questions to ask yourself that can help you discover if an after party is something you’d like to incorporate:

If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, then… yes! Wedding after party, here you come.

How Do You Budget for a Wedding After Party?

You should include your wedding after party budget in your overall wedding budget. 

When wedding planning, don’t worry too much about the after party. The best part about it is it’s got a more casual vibe and is completely customizable, meaning laid-back, low-key is perfectly acceptable.

We’ll go into what that looks like in the section on after party ideas. 

But just know that guests will likely be well-fed when the after-party rolls around. Many will also be more interested in sipping LaCroix than champagne.

Do You Need a Separate Venue for a Wedding After Party?

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Greenville | Pasha Belman

Many couples use the same venue where they tie the knot and celebrate the wedding reception as the after party venue. 

When checking out wedding venues, be sure to ask about their after party policy. Event spaces you can use as both the reception venue and after party space are super convenient. Just make sure there’s a dance floor!

Hotel bars, ballrooms, heck — even a karaoke bar — are also great places for an after party.

Hotel after party spaces provide wedding guests with easy access to their hotel rooms at the end of the night. This is something everyone will appreciate.

Just double-check noise restrictions. Consider workarounds, such as a silent disco, if noise ordinances exist. 

Who Do You Invite to Your Wedding After Party?

The after party guest list is entirely up to you. However, most brides extend an after party invitation to all their guests. 

The last thing you want is for someone to discover they weren’t invited. Of course, this can make them feel left out and taint their perception of the overall wedding experience.

Older or introverted relatives may forgo the after party and head to bed instead. That leaves just those who love to dance, celebrate, and let loose in attendance.

How Do You Communicate Wedding After Party Details to Guests? 

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Indianapolis | Macy Ryan

Be sure your guests are aware of the after party as early as possible. 

If you’re using a wedding website, list all the details, such as time, location, and dress code — if it’s different from the wedding. 

If you’re sending out your wedding day details by mail, invite guests to the after party on the wedding invitation itself.

If the after party is for adults only, make that clear!

How Do You Transition From Wedding Reception to Wedding After Party?

You can transition from reception to after party in several ways. 

To name a few:

If you have a wedding planner, they should have a few ideas on making a seamless transition.

For those switching from one venue to another, ensure you have transportation lined up for guests, such as a party bus.

What Are Some Wedding After Party Ideas?

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Kansas City | The Waldron Company

The goal of the wedding after party is to get together with your loved ones in an intimate, less formal way. 

Consider the atmosphere — how you want to connect and celebrate. Karaoke or live music is great. Make sure there’s also a cozy spot to catch up with people you haven’t seen in a while. 

You can draw inspiration from the wedding and tie the theme into the after party. Encourage the photographer and videographer to stick around and set up a photo booth. Many of the best candid moments occur during the after party.

What Types of Food and Drink Should I Serve at a Wedding After Party?

Typically, a wedding after party includes an open bar or a selection of wine, beer, and champs. Don’t forget non-alcoholic options!

The food served should be of the late-night snack variety.

Think finger foods, such as:

… again, the emphasis is on connecting and having fun.

What Should You Wear to Your Wedding After Party?

Naturally, an outfit change is in order, and most brides like to wear something different than they wore for the wedding ceremony. While they still gravitate towards white (namely LWDs), the after party dress is generally less fussy and offers ample freedom of movement. 

Here are a few of our top after party dress picks. 

Alanna Dress – Ivory 

This adorable strapless bell-shaped little white dress is even more special with romantic floral embroidery across the neckline.

Amsale Little White Dress

 

Stunning and slinky, this dress scores 100% in comfort and style. It features delicate lace embroidery at the hem, a bias-cut neckline, and buttery soft satin that hugs you in all the right places. This dress is made for the after party! 

Jenny Yoo Little White Dress Emily

 

Femme, flirty, and fun, no one will forget who the bride is in this little number, with an off-the-shoulder neckline and exuberant ruffles. This fitted mini dress made of textured stretch satin gets the after party started.

Rosehip Beaded Bodysuit

 

Add instant pizazz to your LWD and make it one of a kind with this darling beaded bodysuit.

Milan Slide 

 

 

 

Rest your feet in style! These slides have “after party” (and “honeymoon”) written all over them.

Desperate for comfy footwear? Pair your after party dress with flats or sandals. Even iconic sneakers, such as Converse, work perfectly.

Don’t see your style? Don’t worry! Our event dress collection has plenty of gorgeous options to choose from!

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Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, so why not keep the party going?

A wedding after party is your chance to spend more time with beloved guests and extend the perfect wedding. 

And getting a second wedding dress to wear to the after party? Well, no one’s mad about that, either!