10 Fun and Inexpensive Wedding After-Party Ideas

The night is still young! Here's how you can extend that wedding day bliss.

By: Jen Glantz

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Keep the Celebration Going

The end of a wedding is usually filled with lingering goodbye hugs and a handful of guests begging the DJ or wedding band to play just one more song. If you’re eager to keep the party going, planning an (optional) post-wedding event for your guests is a great way to extend the fun for friends and family who want to stick around. Wondering what kind of after-party would work best for you? Here are 10 simple ideas for post-wedding celebrations that are inexpensive and a great time.

Karaoke Sing-Along

Have a feeling your crowd will want to create their own entertainment after the party ends? Consider hosting a karaoke gathering. You can save money by buying a karaoke machine — or this wireless karaoke microphone for $16.99 — and provide light snacks and drinks.

Hangout at the Venue

After a lot of weddings, guests find themselves having so much fun that they don’t want to leave. Chat with your venue and see if there’s a smaller room you can rent once the wedding ends for your guests to hang out and enjoy some late night snacks.

Splashy Pool Party

If you’re working with a hotel for your wedding, ask if they’re willing to let you host a post-wedding pool party. You might have a few extra expenses — like renting the pool, a lifeguard, snacks, and pool floats — but this could be the perfect celebration for your guests, especially after a summertime outdoor wedding that takes place earlier in the day.

Hire Performers

Consider hiring performers or entertainers for a small, post-wedding get-together. This is perfect for the guests who want to keep the party going. You can hire performers (like a magician or comedian) or entertainers (like musicians or a DJ). Since you’ll be fronting the bill for the fun, ask your guests to BYOS — bring your own snacks.

Outdoor Fire Pit & S’mores

Hosting your wedding reception in a backyard, on the beach, or at a venue with a nice outdoor space? You might want to end the night with an outdoor fire pit and s’mores! Ask your caterer for help sourcing the s’mores ingredients or pick them up at your local grocery store. This is the perfect activity to help guests wind down after an eventful celebration.

Pizza Party

You can’t go wrong with a late-night pizza party! Whether you host this at your hotel suite (an inexpensive option), rent out a local pizza shop for an hour or two, or ask your caterer to provide the pizza, your guests can end the night mingling and munching on different kinds of pies.

Hit the Hotel Bar

If a lot of your guests are from out of town and they’re staying at the same hotel, contact that venue and ask if you can host a post-wedding after party at their bar. You don’t have to pay for the drinks (you can let your guests do that), but you can set up some simple decorations and offer light snacks.

Contact a Local Bar or Coffee Shop

Is there a local spot that means a lot to you and your partner? Reach out and see if they’ll let you host a short after party for your guests. You don’t need an open bar either — you can work out specials with the venue. That way, it won’t hurt your guests’ wallets to pay for their nightcaps.

Plan a Backyard Dance Party

Most people just keep on dancing and celebrating when they don’t want the party to end. If you’re getting married near your home and you have a backyard, consider inviting your guests back to your house for an outdoor dance party! Plug your phone into speakers for music and offer some light snacks.

Indulge at a Dessert Bar

Want to end the night on a sweet note? Offer a post-wedding dessert and coffee bar at your venue, hotel, or backyard. Talk with your caterer about adding this onto your package or pick up some treats from local bakeries.

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