Hello World! Welcome Friends! When you get engaged, you start thinking about all the possibilities for your upcoming wedding. But you need to know a bit more about other wedding-related events than come before the big day! How exciting right? You get to see many friends and family before your wedding day in different settings, and every event is related to your wedding.
We all know about the classic bachelor and bachelorette parties, but there is much more to it. You get to celebrate different stages of the process, and each event has a unique purpose, formality, and theme. Some of those events will be organized by the couple, others by family and friends, and some by your bridesmaids and groomsman. If you are unsure how many events are related to your wedding, we are here to share our knowledge with you.
1. Engagement Party
Right after saying I do, you will most likely let everyone know about the great news, at least your close family and friends. And to celebrate such an amazing moment, an engagement party is on order. The couple’s parents usually host this party about two months after the engagement. Who should attend? Whoever attends your engagement party expects to be invited to your wedding, so be careful about who you invite. Engagement parties organized by the family are mainly only for close family and friends.
2. Bridal Shower
This tradition is mainly intended for the bride, but nowadays, we have seen couple showers where you see both sides of the family and friends showering the couple with useful gifts for their home. If you go by tradition, the ladies of your family and soon-to-be family, along with your close friends or bridesmaids, will organize the event. Games and drinks are encouraged, and sometimes you see activities like couples’ advice, family recipes, and other fun games. If the bridal shower takes place in the evening, you can even add some Edison string lights to add a hint of romanticism.
3. Bridal Brunch
Often called luncheon, it is mainly a southern tradition, the bridesmaids host this event, and it is a daytime event that takes place around a week before the wedding. As with many wedding-related events, there are no written rules, and often, couples organize the even and even host a bride and groom brunch with the entire wedding party.
4. Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties
This event might ring a bell since it is one of the most popular wedding-related events for couples. In recent years the classic night out with the bridesmaids and groomsman has turned into a weekend getaway at a paradisiac location. We see many bachelorette parties in beach locations and bachelor parties in Vegas. Don’t forget to have matching outfits to nail the perfect bachelor and bachelorette parties.
And if you want to skip traveling or hitting a local nightclub, you can always turn any space into a party room. Imagine having a full party at a family property or one of your friends’ house, add a bar with signature drinks, pick a theme to add some décor, and why not include UV black lights to turn it into a black light party? Some snacks, and you are all set to have the night of your life.
5. Rehearsal Dinner
The main purpose of a rehearsal dinner is for everyone who participates in the ceremony to know exactly where they are supposed to be and when they should participate, from your parents to your wedding party. The couple often organizes this event the night before your wedding or two nights before its time to rehearse your ceremony. It could take place at the same location as your ceremony or your parents’ home if you prefer. Some couples also use a hotel space to host dinner right there.
After the rehearsal, you get to spend a moment with your close family and friends when you all know how the ceremony will flow, how to enter the professional, and how to leave the ceremony space. It is a great moment to break the ice if some friends and families don’t know each other.
6. Welcome Party for Out-of-Town Guests
Out-of-town guests are the ones who make the biggest effort to attend your wedding, booking flights or driving for hours, packing all they need to look sharp, and finding accommodation to be front row at your ceremony. If you want to show your appreciation for their effort, you can always organize a welcome party for them. Think about something casual, lunch or dinner, depending on their arrival time and your schedule, perhaps at your parent’s house or a known restaurant in town, so they get to see a part of your wedding location.
7. After Party
Once the reception is over, you probably want to keep the party going. Perhaps you will be hungry again, so organizing the after-party is perfect. Start by finding the best place, and sometimes a nightclub is a good option, while other couples prefer to host it at their home or a hotel suite and only invite their closest friends. That is entirely up to you and your partner. Consider, in addition to drinks, a couple of appetizers or late-night snacks.
8. After Wedding Brunch
Everyone will be hungry and ready to talk about how much fun they had last night the morning after your wedding. An after-wedding brunch would be a great idea, particularly if you had many guests out of town because they will probably leave that day or shortly after. Try to keep it casual and practical, so they don’t have extra pressure about wearing a fancy outfit or getting ready to have breakfast. You can even plan a grab-and-go lunch for those just coming in to say goodbye and grab a quick bite.
9. Mehndi Party
A popular party for south Asian cultures, the Mehndi Party is organized by the bride’s family, and a henna artist attends to draw intricate designs on the bride’s hands and feet. Other women of the family might also participate. The party turns into a whole event, where food and music are present. Close family and friends are expected to be invited.
10. Sangeet
The Sangeet is celebrated in Indian cultures, with a large range of variations depending on the area where the couple is from. But in general terms, you could compare it with a welcome party. Families get together with a large guest list that can sum up to 300 guests. There is music, food, and lush decorations. And it usually happens a couple of days before the wedding.
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Toodles,
[…] 10 Common Wedding-Related Events & Parties to Know […]