Ideas for an after-party following a wedding reception (we can't have alcohol at the reception)?

Question

Families don't drink, so no booze at the wedding reception. So, I'm trying to think of a way to put together an affordable after-party for about 20-25 people who will want to drink when the reception is over. We can't have it at the same place the reception is. So I'm trying to decide, should we rent out another facility? Have a cash bar? What would you do?

Answer 1

I would rent out a room at your favorite night club or bar. This way everyone can mingle and dance with the non-wedding people if they want, and have some privacy in the private room as well. I would not pay for them, just make it a casual invite "some of us are going out to Club ___ for drinks afterwards if you want to join us". That way everyone pays for themselves!

Answer 2

Here´s what a friend of mine did-great idea!
She had a one hour wine reception-for one hour, the bar was open that served wine only, and after this, if anyone requested a drink they were served, but only if requested. I remember no one at our table drank anything but water or soda.

She told her close family and friends that her and her husband were going to a pub close to the reception place, and when everyone got there, they paid for their own drinks-the bride and groom didn´t-they had already supplied drinks at the reception. About 25 people went-it´s amazing how people are willing to continue the party-even on their own tab.

Don´t rent another facility, or have a cash bar-if people want to drink they can for an hour, and will pay for their booze afterwards.

Answer 3

I think it's great you are considering the children. I love the idea of a Halloween wedding but I always feel bad for the kids who miss out on trick or treating. But if you are having the wedding at 1pm your reception should be a whole lot earlier than 5pm. I'd say 3pm at the LATEST. Even if your wedding is an hour long that's a 3 hour wait for your guests. Far too long.

Answer 4

I would have it at your home or the home of a close friend/family (if they volunteer). I would provide beer and wine. I would also provide vodka and rum and juice to mix. I won't go crazy for a full bar at your home. I think most people will be happy to have beer or wine. By beer, I mean not just Bud or Bud Light bottles, but Mike's Hard Lemonade or Smirnoff Ices too. Corona or Twisted Tea too.

If you wanted, you could make margarita's too. It'll add a little fun.


I would not rent another venue. One, it's costly. Second, not too many rented venues let you party after a certain hour. Three, a bar could be a problem. If you reception is going to end at 10pm or 11pm, will you be able to drink all night. Not sure what state you live in, but some states don't allow liquor to be served past 1am, 2am, 3am, etc. So, will the party only be 2 hours or 3 hours?

Answer 5

If you decide to rent a hotel room or something like that, and buy liquor yourselves for it, here is the main thing to remember:
Please don't overbuy!

So many of my couples who have been in this situation have rented a room, bought booze & expected all these guests to show up and party all night, and it hasn't happened. It turned out they were basically worried about these people being disappointed over no booze for nothing.

So, plan carefully. Instead of assuming that a huge number of guests will automatically come to the after party just because they usually drink, ask around and make sure!

Then you won't be out so much trouble or money for just a few!

Answer 6

Do you have a favorite bar? Ask about reserving the VIP room. They may even be able to hook you up with some kind of snacks (since this kind of party usually runs up a good-sized bill). Who pays for the drinks is up to you. You can either start a tab with a limit on it, buy a couple of rounds and then leave guests to their own devices, or you can just let everyone pay for themselves. The rules for an after-party are much less formal.

If not a favorite bar, ask a local hotel (preferably the one where you reserved a block of rooms) about using a ballroom. You'll probably have to have a caterer or use the hotel caterer, though.

Answer 7

Cash Bar!!!!!

My cousin's wedding had alcohol at a rented out facility and my poor uncle had to close the bar down because people racked up a multi-thousand dollar bar tab within 2 hours. It was terrible.

After my husband and I left our reception we had to much fun in our honeymoon suite (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) to care about any after party. If you want to party with alcohol then I'd wait untill the weekend following your wedding but that's just me.

Answer 8

Find a club/bar and see how much & how many hours an open bar will be and if they have any restrictions. If you book the party, they will have a cover charge (around $15.00) you're guest can pay it at the door as long as they say they're with the party. That way if other people want to come along, they don't take advantage of your open/free bar and you don't have to pay for anyone or venue. Since you're booking the party, you and your husband usually drink free.

Answer 9

We didn't have an evening reception on our wedding day instead we had it when we got back from our honeymoon. We hired the function room at the local pub and had a band. When the bar closed everyone came back to our house and we continued the party. We could have saved ourselves the money and had the whole party at home!

Answer 10

Go to a bar or pool hall or bowling alley all of these serve boozes and that way your smaller after party can drink and have fun. oh ya were taking all of our wedding party out to our favorite bar after the reception