You can get out of the spotlight, if even for just just a few moments.
When you're at your wedding, from the ceremony's start to the reception, you've got all eyes on you. Literally...ALL of the eyes. You'll be dancing the night away surrounded by a sea of friends of family, sharing in your love, their eyes on you. You'll have a dedicated crew of professionals waiting on you hand and foot, taking care of your every need, all their eyes on you. Then you'll have pictures to take, dances to share, bouquets to throw, and being engaged with every person who came to witness your wedding day. At the end of the reception you're going to need a break. When you show up at the after wedding party, every single person who sees you (friends, family, AND strangers), will applaud you. You'll get all of the spotlight, but you can also slip into the crowd for a few quiet moments.
Have someone buy you a drink, kick off your shoes (your feet will probably be sore) and relax, ...or rage, whatever you want, Do you.
This is the one part of the wedding that you don't need to worry about.
Let's be honest, your mind has been on your wedding for the past year, or maybe your entire life. When you get to the after wedding party, there isn't much left for you to worry about. You've already booked the rooms, the venue, you've thrown the bouquet, and you’ve even watched an estranged cousin get sauced and hit on the wait staff. You've done your work, paid your dues, you just got married! When you show up to the after party, all you have to do is have a good time!
Free Drinks!
This one is pretty self-explanatory. You're the most well known people at your wedding, after all, you are surrounded by everyone who knows you because you invited them! If the after party venue is a public place there may be a few people you don't know who want to be a part of the fun. They may want to buy you two celebrities a drink or two, or three. You're going to get hooked up and you are going to be treated like royalty.
You get to be on your own time
Your wedding day is pretty busy and many times highly scheduled.
9:30 am wake up.
10:30 am mimosas.
12:00 pm hair and makeup.
2:00 pm pictures.
3:30 pm guests arrive.
4:00 pm ceremony.
It's this at that time, that at this time, and you're on such a set schedule from the second you wake up until the time that you exit the venue, it can feel like a whirlwind. Everything has to be meticulous, planned perfectly, and with the consistency of a metronome. Sure you can do whatever you want, it's your day after-all, but you've got to keep the night moving. When you get to your after wedding party it feels like ‘You made it!’. You've crossed the proverbial finish line and now the only thing you really have to worry about is when you want to ‘call it’ for the night.
It's a perfect cap to your perfect night
So now you're married. You're surrounded by probably everyone you love and care about. You've exchanged vows with the person you love most in the world. You've been noticed for it, applauded for it, been treated like royalty, and all of the stresses of planning this day are now fond memories which you can look back on for the rest of your life. With an after wedding party you have one last part of your night to spend with everyone nearest and dearest to your heart. No more stress, no more planning, no more scheduling. Bask in your newly married love, revel with your childhood friends singing and dancing, and take a few moments to yourself.
Your big day was a success and the celebrations have only just begun.
Written by contributing writer, Matt Bagley, of Harvey’s Restaurant & Bar