"After Parties" Increase in Popularity
After parties have been around for years. Some are planned events occuring after a major event; others are spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment get-togethers. After parties often occur after proms and similar events, when parents host a late night get together for their child and his or her friends.
As the economy continues to make people more budget conscious, we are seeing more pre-planned parties occuring after larger weddings. Depending on circumstances, the bride and groom may feel the necessity to invite a large number of work associates, students, class mates, members of an organization or club, or their church congregation to their wedding. From an etiquette perspective, they are expected to entertain those guests, though it doesn't need to be elaborate or last several hours. Therefore, couples are choosing to have a simple reception after the ceremony (often cake and punch) followed by a much smaller after party for close family and friends. Doing so stretches limited budgets and allows the couple to spend more time with those closest to them.
To avoid hurt feelings, the after party should not be hosted by the couple, but by parents or close family and friends. The party should not occur in the same location as the large reception, though it might be held in a nearby room. Often a meal is served at the after party and dancing may occur. If the couple cut a cake at the "official" reception, a second cake is not usually served. Likewise, if toasts were offered at the first party, they are rarely offered a second time, nor is a bouquet or garter tossed a second time. The "traditional" wedding activities should occur at the "official" reception.
Having a pre-planned after party following the wedding reception is one way to stretch limited budgets; just be careful not to offend those who are not invited.
As the economy continues to make people more budget conscious, we are seeing more pre-planned parties occuring after larger weddings. Depending on circumstances, the bride and groom may feel the necessity to invite a large number of work associates, students, class mates, members of an organization or club, or their church congregation to their wedding. From an etiquette perspective, they are expected to entertain those guests, though it doesn't need to be elaborate or last several hours. Therefore, couples are choosing to have a simple reception after the ceremony (often cake and punch) followed by a much smaller after party for close family and friends. Doing so stretches limited budgets and allows the couple to spend more time with those closest to them.
To avoid hurt feelings, the after party should not be hosted by the couple, but by parents or close family and friends. The party should not occur in the same location as the large reception, though it might be held in a nearby room. Often a meal is served at the after party and dancing may occur. If the couple cut a cake at the "official" reception, a second cake is not usually served. Likewise, if toasts were offered at the first party, they are rarely offered a second time, nor is a bouquet or garter tossed a second time. The "traditional" wedding activities should occur at the "official" reception.
Having a pre-planned after party following the wedding reception is one way to stretch limited budgets; just be careful not to offend those who are not invited.
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