From classic rock to bumpin' new pop songs, here's a curated list of crowd-pleasers.
Updated Mar 06, 202518 Wedding After-Party Ideas to Start Planning ASAP
Want to spend even more time with your guests on your special day? We have ideas for you.
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Looking for wedding after-party ideas? We've got you covered. After all, a wedding after-party is a great way to keep the party going while keeping things exciting. "A wedding after-party is such a great opportunity for the couple to relax and truly celebrate and have fun, especially with the formalities over," says AJ Williams, founder of AJ Events based in Boston. "They can socialize more freely and enjoy a different wedding experience at the end of the night."
Wedding after-parties are customizable to fit the vibe of your wedding or be completely different. They also serve as a chance to enjoy some extra eats after you've worked up an appetite from dancing and formally mingling with your wedding guests.
Although you can casually invite people over after your wedding reception, planning an after-party is best. Holly Gray, CEO of Anything But Gray Events based in Los Angeles, adds that although many couples host their after-party at the same venue as their reception, some choose a different venue, restaurant or even their home. Each option typically requires some advanced planning, especially if you'd like to stick to a particular wedding after-party theme or idea (which we recommend). Read on for wedding after-party ideas to bring to life after your formal reception.
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1. '80s Dance Party
Whether you and your partner were born in the '80s or simply enjoy the era's aesthetic, Williams recommends hosting an '80s-themed dance party. If you're hosting a cocktail reception, she notes that venues can oftentimes be transformed with a few quick additions of neon lights. Although you can create a playlist, we recommend hiring a wedding DJ from The Knot Vendor Marketplace who specializes in mixing music for seamless transitions. "When we recently worked with a couple that wanted to create an after-party following their formal dinner reception, we handed out '80s sunglasses and props that wove guests into the theme, and everyone loved it," Williams says.
2. Pool Party
Looking for a refreshing and fun wedding after-party idea? A pool after-party is great for spring or summer weddings or if you're tying the knot in a warmer area. "You can coordinate with your guests or provide pool attire for men and women in various sizes with branded taglines customized to your wedding," Williams explains. Depending on the size of your get-together, you can host your pool after-party at your home (if you have a pool). Another option is a hotel or after-party event venue, such as a hotel with a rooftop pool or another pool offering space that can be transformed for your event. Just make sure there's adequate lighting to maintain utmost safety. And when it comes to late-night snacks, you can keep them light and refreshing with watermelon, chips, guacamole and pasta salad at the forefront.
3. Silent Disco
Transform your wedding venue (if time allows) into a silent disco with your closest friends and family. "This is perfect for venues with noise restrictions," Gray says. Wireless headphones are pivotal to a silent disco. Luckily for you, these can be easily purchased online. If you plan on ordering them yourself (as opposed to using those from a wedding DJ specializing in silent discos), you can embellish them with your wedding date or initials so your guests can take them home as keepsakes from your special day.
4. Bonfire
As far as cheap wedding after-party ideas go, a bonfire is a great one. Whether you host your bonfire at home or a permitted venue, you don't have to go outside of your wedding budget for food and drinks, as many bonfire staples can be found at your local grocery store. "Cozy up by a bonfire with blankets, cocktails and DIY s'mores for a chill end to the night," Gray says. A bonfire can provide extra time to chat with your loved ones and help you unwind from your wedding day before hitting the pillow.
5. Karaoke After-Party
When it comes to after-the-wedding-party ideas, Gray recommends chord-ially inviting your guests to sing some tunes with you at a karaoke after-party. Whether you take it old school and use a karaoke machine or play some lyric videos on a television is up to you—either way, it will be amazing. Don't forget to create your list of karaoke songs in advance so you can spend more time singing and less time managing your after-party playlist.
6. Game Night
If you're looking for after-party wedding ideas that cater to guests of all ages, it's hard to go wrong with a game night. "Set up retro arcade games, video game consoles or even board games for a more laid-back crowd," Gray says. If your wedding venue doesn't have a private room where you can host this type of after-party, The Knot Vendor Marketplace is home to many venues that do. Remember to have prizes for your winners readily available. If you're not sure where to start when it comes to prizes, The Knot Shop is home to many items, from stickers to personalized playing cards, which you can have shipped for your wedding day.
7. Pizza Party
After dancing all night at your wedding, your guests will likely crave a late-night snack, especially pizza. Opt for a classic pizza party or pull out all the stops for a pizza buffet with different types from Hawaiian to Chicago-style pizza. A pizza party can be hosted anywhere that permits food and doesn't involve too much extra planning (aside from caterers if your venue doesn't already have one you'd like to use).
8. Hit the Club
Williams recommends transforming part of your wedding venue into a club-like scene for your wedding after-party. "If the venue allows, you can add a water haze to increase the lighting effects," William says. "End the night with large confetti blowers." A club scene wouldn't be complete without a DJ, so invite yours to stay for the after-party or hire another one who wants to jam out with you into the night.
9. Beer Happy at a Brewery
Your guests will be beer-y happy when you reserve a brewery for your wedding after-party. From Funky Buddha Brewery to Eris Brewery & Cider House, there's no shortage of brewery venues to utilize for your special event. Inquire about any specialty flavors the brewery may have on tap for your celebration and whether or not you can hire an outside caterer (if they don't already have one) to complement your beverages with some light bites.
10. Pajama Party
Get cozy after a long day of singing and dancing with a pajama after-party. Ask your guests to wear the pajamas of their preference, or order all of your guests a custom pair with decals reminiscent of your wedding day for them to take home. A pajama party wouldn't be a pajama party without the classic comfort foods, including candy, nachos, pizza and popcorn.
11. Bowling Night
When it comes to wedding after-party activities that will engage your guests without having to exert too much energy, consider a bowling night. Whether you rent out an entire bowling alley for your evening or just a couple of lanes for a small wedding after-party, bowling is a surefire way to keep the celebration going. Instruct your guests to pack more casual clothing or have an outfit ready in their hotel room, which they can quickly change into before meeting.
12. Ice Cream Party
Invite your guests for a sweet end to your wedding day with an ice cream after-party. What's great about an ice cream party is that you can host it at most venues where food is permitted. We recommend offering a variety of types and toppings (non-dairy, etc) for your guests to choose from as part of a build-your-own-sundae experience. Or, if you'd rather hire an ice cream caterer such as Handel's Homemade Ice Cream, that is an option, too. You can even ask your guests to fill out an online survey ahead of time so you can get an idea of which flavors they prefer and avoid any confusion.
13. Glow Party
Glisten with your guests at a glow party. Whether you buy glow sticks, light-up ice cubes, or hang up fluorescent lights, your guests will be illuminated from the moment they walk into your wedding after-party to the moment they leave. In addition to being a fun concept, a glow party also makes for memorable photos (so make sure to have your wedding photographer stick around).
14. Trivia Party
See how well your guests know you and your partner with a trivia party. How you present the questions is up to you, but we recommend doing so game show style, on a worksheet, or as part of a slideshow to keep guests engaged. Include questions such as "Who said I love you first?" and "Who is more likely to sleep through their alarm?" to keep the mood light and personal. Trivia wouldn't be complete without prizes for the winners, so make sure to have those on standby. Choose prizes that reflect you and your partner or your wedding's theme.
15. Tarot Card After-Party
Looking for small wedding after-party ideas that will keep your guests engaged? Hire a tarot card reader for a portion of or your entire celebration. There's a reason why hiring tarot card readers has become such a wedding trend. What's great about this wedding after-party theme is that it can be carried out at many wedding after-party venues, as not a lot of space is typically needed for readings—although it would be helpful if your venue had a couch or some cushioned chairs for a more relaxed reading experience.
16. Hollywood-Inspired Wedding After-Party
Roll out the red carpet for a Hollywood-inspired wedding after-party. Although a venue in Hollywood is best suited for this type of wedding after-party (hence the name), most venues can be transformed to offer that glitz and glam aesthetic. Create a menu with highlights to include sushi, caviar and tacos as well as some espresso martinis and wine for anyone looking to get their hands on an elevated beverage. After all, your guests deserve to feel like stars, too.
17. Movie Night
Treat your guests to a laid-back movie night. Throw your after-party at an iconic movie venue, such as The American Theater, or set up in your living room or with an inflatable movie screen outdoors. Playing a wedding-related movie or one about love is an excellent way to maintain the love theme while sharing some laughs (and maybe even some happy tears) with your loved ones. Whether you order gourmet popcorn from a local vendor such as Poppington's Gourmet Popcorn or simply break out a couple of bags from a nearby grocery store, your guests will thank you for the eats to satisfy their late-night cravings.
18. Disney-Themed Celebration
When it comes to after-party ideas for a wedding, Disney is one of the most magical ones, and for good reason. If you're tying the knot in central Florida, you and your wedding party can visit Walt Disney World to enjoy some of its most popular attractions. If you're looking to host a more formal after-party, connect with the Disney events team to plan the after-party of your dreams. Or, if you simply want to add some nods to Disney at your after-party at another venue, you can do things such as purchasing some Disney-themed snack toppers, playing your favorite Disney tunes, and hiring a florist to create Mickey-inspired florals to serve as table centerpieces.
