What is a wedding after-party?

Question

I ran into an old friend from high school a few weeks ago and she is getting married on Saturday. She invited me to the ceremony and to the wedding after-party and said that it was ok to bring guests (we were understandably not invited to the reception). My question is what exactly is a wedding after-party? I've never been to one before and don't know what to expect. What should we wear? There is 5 hours between the ceremony and after-party and we are changing and going to the fair, can we wear the same thing to the after-party as to the ceremony? Should we go more caually? How long do after-parties last? She did say I could bring a guest, but would it be rude if I did? Do I bring the gift to the ceremony or to the after-party or should I mail it or drop it off at her house a few days after the wedding?

Answer 1

If the "after-party" is anything like the parties that my friends and I have attended after a few receptions it is basically friends of the bride and groom, people their age, no family unless it's family members closer in age to the couple.  And, it's really just a smaller version of the reception.  Sometimes the bride and groom change and get more comfortable, but it's a way for them to spend time with all their friends without feeling like they have to keep moving around from one guest to the next to say "thanks for coming."  Plus, it's a nice way for the couple to relax and just have some fun with their friends.

Answer 2

After parties are starting to become  very common amongst my  circle of friends. My understanding is that  basically the bride and groom can't invite everybody they know to the wedding so they make it  known that  they will be at bar X for a couple of hours after the reception and  all are welcome to join them for a few drinks and to give the couple  their good wishes.  A friend of mine did this because she and her HTB had a very formal wedding with lots of elderly relatives as guests and they  wanted to let their hair down with friends and  people their own age  afterthe formailities were done with.  They put some money over  the bar (basically paid for the first drink for all their guests)  and a great time was had by all.  As for bringing a gift, I would say not essential but certainly  a nice gesture.  For both friends after parties they specifically requested that we did NOT bring a gift.

Answer 3

sounds like it's a second reception for those who they couldn't invite to the wedding but who they still wanted to celebrate with.

other than that, I've never heard of one so I don't know.

Answer 4

When I got married I did a little "wedding after-party". In my opinion, it is just a big group of friends hangin out and celebrating the new couple. It's kind of like a reception but not quite. I would bring a guest that is one of your friends just in case. It's never rude to bring a guest if they offer. I would bring a small gift to the after-party. It would show that you at least put some thought into her. I'm not exactly sure how long inbetween the ceremon and after-party, but when I did it, it was only a few hours, like 3. But I would ask her the details about that and about the dress for it to. If it's casual and you show up semi-formal, you might feel kind of auquard. And if you show up casual, and it's semi-formal, you would maybe feel wierd as well. So ask her about the details and what time the after-party starts. Hope it helps.

Answer 5

Sounds fun, sounds like its just a fun time to unwind at the end of a long day.  She's probably having an early wedding and afternoon reception and just doesn't want the day to end.  I've never heard of it either but it sounds fun.

If she said you can bring a guest then you can bring a guest.  She wouldn't have said it if she didn't want you to.

You can do any of the above for the gift. don't bring it to the ceremony but talk to someone there and see who you can give it to after the ceremony. that would probably be best. giving it to her mother or one of the brides maids to bring to the reception.

Ask her what kind of dress code there is, it's the only way to now.

sounds like fun!

Answer 6

It is exactly what it says.  It is a party held after the official wedding and reception.  This has been going on for years and years but now the bride and groom are getting in on the action.  With all the family considerations and decorum and formality of the ceremony and official reception many couples want to have a "real" party with people they can just kick it with, music that they really listen and dance to, no need to put the dirty dancing aside because of all the kiddies and a dozen other reasons.  Sure wish I had gotten to go to the one after my wedding, but we made our own fun  :D

Answer 7

I'm actually having one after my own wedding on 9-19-08. It's just a gathering we're having with all our close friends and family at our favorite bar after the ceremony and reception. Just an occasion to enjoy and celebrate our union without having to be too formal any longer after that long day. After the reception, we're going to change into more casual clothes (our guests are free to do the same if they wish to), and actually we'll be wearing "property of the groom" and "property of the bride" tshirts I found online.

I personally think it's a nice breather from the etiquette and formal-ness that usually come with any wedding. A way to totally let go ^^

Answer 8

The after party for my wedding was just that---a group of people that knew they wouldn't want the party to end.  My after party STARTED at 1am.  We had it at my in-laws' house.  Their family and a few of mine were there.  My hubby and I went home to change and went to the party.  We were there until about 3am...and many of the guests were still there partying!  (My wedding started at 5pm, mind you!)

It's just a fun time.  Ours was quite casual, and people changed there.  A LOT of finger foods served.  And if they offered you to bring a guest, by all means do it!  It's an informal fun gathering of friends.  No need for a gift, but a small token for the happy couple (I'm talking frame or bottle of wine small) would be a wonderful gesture.

Answer 9

i would think it would be the reception.. i have never heard of that