Wedding Reception After-Party?

Question

I am having my wedding reception in a ballroom of a really nice restaurant so there's no DJ (i'm using an iPod playlist) or dance floor. The atmosphere will be dining and mingling.

However, I am strongly considering trying to have an "after-party" for us youngin's maybe getting a VIP section at a club or something because the dinner reception will be over by 11pm... And I know my guests (esp. those who are my age the 20-somethings) will want to go out.

Problem- I live in atlanta and VIP sections in clubs/ lounges are expensive... Should I bother? Or should I give them a list of suggested clubs and let them venture on their own? I REALLY have a tight budget and I'm tryna squeeze in this after-party... should I just forget about it? Suggestions?

Answer 1

I know what you mean!  I wanted to have some kind of after party for people who had traveled a long way for my wedding and whom we would not have much time to chat with at the wedding, but I didn't want to get stuck with another big bill on top of all the wedding expenses... so my fiance and I  are staying in hotel where we got a "hospitality suite," that has a living room area.  I told the other guests who are staying in the same hotel or nearby that we're having an "open suite" between x and x hours, please drop by to chat.  We'll buy some beer but that's it.  Another good idea I heard of is to have everyone gather around the hotel pool at x hour - no need to host that!  Good luck.

Answer 2

You should probably skip it.  You will be tired from all that you have done that day and will probably want to go home or to a hotel with your hubby.  

Answer 3

My sister in law did it for the night before..and those that wanted to just paid their own. It was in Vegas.

Honestly it was pricey and not worth it..but that is an idea.

I think a list is good.

Answer 4

I know you mentioned your budget is tight, but have you considered hiring a DJ (maybe only for the after hour part of the reception)? If the venue has no problem with you using the space after 11pm, you could make a transition from the dining and mingling atmosphere by having the space physically cleared and the introduction of the DJ who will amp the crowd and will give an auditory cue to those who aren't of the 'afterparty" persuasion to be on their way....just a thought!

Answer 5

If you can afford it or really want it, do it.  That sounds awesome!!!!!  I would definitely attend.  This is up to you.  As for the list, I would put it in a welcome packet for out of town guests.  If they want to go, that's their decision.  But, the after party idea sounds awesome, especially if you have friends that party past 11 pm.  

Answer 6

You want to avoid being the host of this. First, it would be like having "an event within the event" to which only "class A" guest are invited -- which would be insulting to everyone NOT in class A. Second, you don't want anyone to feel that they would be snubbing you by not going, and even young people sometimes prefer getting home by midnight.

One gracious way to do this would be to quietly ask one or two trusted friends to "host" this extra party and offer to help with the expenses -- help meaning to cover 100% of the cost. Your friends may or may not accept your offer to cover the cost, may or may not "chip in" to pay for the VIP room and champagne. So if you aren't prepared to pay the bills, then maybe you should drop this idea. Or bring it down a notch to simply meeting up at the club after the reception, but no VIP room.

What happened to the days when bride and groom were in a hurry for the partying to be over so they could run off and be alone together?

Answer 7

Try to rent out a hall, no need for a club or a lounge. Get a DJ and rent out any hall, and go for it! It's the new big thing (After party's)

Let the festivities go on for longer than one night! Enjoy your celebrations and congratulations!!

Due to your budget restrictions, depending on the season, maybe you should have an outdoors party? Do you have any friends who have a large home? Some public park cabins are usually for rent and are a decent sized space for a large group of people.

Rent a tent for about $200 and set it up in someone's back yard, or get a permit from your city and set it up in the park! :) If there is a city facility, such as a public library, that is set on a very nice piece of land with a huge portion of it just empty space and greenery, if you asked the Library Administration they should let you use it for free. You'd just pay for your own expenses and clean up. Plus, parking would be free! (I work at a library, and we've rented out our space for free. We are on a huge piece of land with the back lot just green grass and nice trees. There's enough flat land for a tent and a group of people.

I'm sure if you investigate your area, there should be cheap locations for you to hold your affair. :)

Answer 8

thats what the dollar for a dance is for