Some brides nowadays are turning wedding receptions on their heads and creating super long receptions that go all night long. If this is you, planning some activities for those numerous hours is essential.
Typically, an all-night reception goes something like this: the wedding takes place in the early evening and the reception follows. By about midnight, many of the guests will have left and the group that is remaining will continue to dance and party and revel into the early morning hours. At some point, breakfast will be served and everyone will go home to recoup.
Why do you need activities for such a reception? The answer is simple. You want to keep people active through the nighttime hours, and you want to present them with a true party. Let's face it: if they are good enough to hang in with you for the duration, they deserve something for their effort.
First, you need to be fairly organized about the activities you plan. Consult with a DJ about these activities and leave it to him or her to keep things on a schedule. Cutting the cake should take place during the more customary evening hours, so those not intending to stay all night can leave.
Depending on your specific guests, you could hold off on the father-daughter dance until after midnight, or you could save a few toasts for the late night hours. In any event, having some other fun events is a great idea.
As guests begin to leave, bring in a pinata, which you can find shaped like a wedding ring, a bridal dress or a champagne flute. Fill it with a variety of goodies. Candy is always popular, but you could also fill it with juvenile toys found at a party store. Have the DJ play a spirited song and let everyone have a chance at the pinata. Do this where there will be be plenty of room. Once it breaks, everyone can enjoy a bit of sweet candy or can enjoy some silly little carnival game or toy.
People who stay for the duration of the party are going to need a respite. Plan a photo viewing or video viewing for this moment. You could have someone who's knowledgable with PowerPoint create a photo presentation or have someone create a video of photos. Make it last a good half hour to 45 minutes. This gives everyone, including the DJ, a chance to sit down and rejuvenate for the next round.
In the same vein of allowing the guests a little relaxation, some wedding planners employ a non-activity space. For example, if the wedding is outside, you could provide inflatable mattresses and have some torches lit. That way, if guests want to sit and relax, they can do so on the mattresses and still be part of the activity.
If the reception is inside, consider providing large pillows for guests to sit on or create a relaxing corner with inflatable mattresses and plenty of fabric. This can be a conversation area where people can go to rest but still be part of the party.
Typically, an all-night reception goes something like this: the wedding takes place in the early evening and the reception follows. By about midnight, many of the guests will have left and the group that is remaining will continue to dance and party and revel into the early morning hours. At some point, breakfast will be served and everyone will go home to recoup.
Why do you need activities for such a reception? The answer is simple. You want to keep people active through the nighttime hours, and you want to present them with a true party. Let's face it: if they are good enough to hang in with you for the duration, they deserve something for their effort.
First, you need to be fairly organized about the activities you plan. Consult with a DJ about these activities and leave it to him or her to keep things on a schedule. Cutting the cake should take place during the more customary evening hours, so those not intending to stay all night can leave.
Depending on your specific guests, you could hold off on the father-daughter dance until after midnight, or you could save a few toasts for the late night hours. In any event, having some other fun events is a great idea.
As guests begin to leave, bring in a pinata, which you can find shaped like a wedding ring, a bridal dress or a champagne flute. Fill it with a variety of goodies. Candy is always popular, but you could also fill it with juvenile toys found at a party store. Have the DJ play a spirited song and let everyone have a chance at the pinata. Do this where there will be be plenty of room. Once it breaks, everyone can enjoy a bit of sweet candy or can enjoy some silly little carnival game or toy.
People who stay for the duration of the party are going to need a respite. Plan a photo viewing or video viewing for this moment. You could have someone who's knowledgable with PowerPoint create a photo presentation or have someone create a video of photos. Make it last a good half hour to 45 minutes. This gives everyone, including the DJ, a chance to sit down and rejuvenate for the next round.
In the same vein of allowing the guests a little relaxation, some wedding planners employ a non-activity space. For example, if the wedding is outside, you could provide inflatable mattresses and have some torches lit. That way, if guests want to sit and relax, they can do so on the mattresses and still be part of the activity.
If the reception is inside, consider providing large pillows for guests to sit on or create a relaxing corner with inflatable mattresses and plenty of fabric. This can be a conversation area where people can go to rest but still be part of the party.
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