After Party??

Why would you get married in a place that minimizes who you are?

Depending on how long the ceremony and reception are, that's likely a long period of time you're asking your guests to spend.

Additionally, it's pretty rude to pick and choose people that were invited to witness your union and attend the reception (will it just be dinner and dessert?) to be a part of the "fun" part of the day. I'd just have the ceremony at the church and have your reception elsewhere.

My cousin got married 10ish years ago when we were in our early 20s. She did the wedding thing, the reception thing, and then the wedding party went out to the bars after that on the party bus. I think that might be the way to do that? I'm not sure that anyone was too upset about it. I only discovered it because I ran into them because I went out after the wedding too.


Man. I wish I had that sort of energy now.

I think if the venue does not allow you to have the kind of reception you are envisioning, you should just find a venue that better serves your needs. Have your ceremony at your church and the reception at a nearby venue that allows music and dancing. Having an after party would just be one more thing you will have to plan and pay for. Plus, only inviting some guests could potentially cause hurt feelings. Why not just find a better venue and include everyone?

I think I would try to find a reception venue that isn't so restrictive. Plenty of people get married at a church then have the reception somewhere else. That's what my brother did. We had an after party, but we also had a traditional reception with dinner, toasts, and dancing. We used the after party as more like a time to hang out longer with our guests. We went to bar that was inside the hotel (the hotel was our wedding venue). Everyone was invited.

Overall I'm quite sure finances are the main reason why you choose to have both ceremony and reception there. I would say look into like Community centers , VFW's or places reaonable where you can do reception and dance.

Just invite everyone out to a local bar for the “after party.” That way you can have your dancing and not have to worry so much about additional costs. I’ve been to plenty after parties like that and they’re always fun, and I never mind buying my own drinks.