After you say “yes” and he puts a ring on your finger, all of the work of planning a wedding really begins. As you are enjoying the euphoria of being newly engaged, you need to start planning for all of the events of your wedding. However, before you assume that the wedding, reception and honeymoon are all you have to plan, you may want to check this list. You will have a number of parties, dinners and other celebrations to fit into your schedule around your wedding date. Here are some events before and after the wedding that you’re going to need to schedule to ensure your event goes off without a hitch.
Pre-Wedding Events
Did you think all you needed to plan was your wedding and reception? Think again! In the days leading up to your wedding, you’ll find a number of parties and events that you either need to plan or participate in. Here are some common pre-wedding events that you’ll want to mark space for on your calendar.
Wedding Shower
The wedding shower is typically not the responsibility of the bride or groom, but rather of the maid of honor or another close friend or relative. Even though these are not your responsibility to pay for or plan, you may find that you are asked for input about the shower, such as ideas for a theme or venue, so you may want to think about the wedding shower a bit.
A wedding shower is a time for the friends of the couple to shower the bride (and sometimes the groom too) with gifts to help establish their new home. While traditionally this is a women-only event, new trends are including the groom and the groom’s friends in the festivities. A wedding shower is typically held around food or dessert, and brunch is a common time to host a shower. The wedding party, close friends and local family members are all invited to attend. In fact, you can make the planning easier on your maid of honor by offering your guest list, as most of the people on it would also be invited to the shower. You may even end up with multiple showers if your workplace, church or other friends wish to shower you with love before your big day.
Bachelor Party
The bachelor party is a chance for the men to get together to say farewell to the groom’s years of being single. The idea behind this is a party to celebrate one last “guys night,” and the wedding party is often seen partying in style at the bachelor party. Gift giving is not typically a part of this particular event, but plenty of fun and good-natured humor is. The bachelor party is typically held the week of the wedding, traditionally the night before, to accommodate out-of-town participants.
Bachelorette Party
Similar to the bachelor party, the bachelorette party is a chance for the gals to get together and have one last party before the wedding. The bachelorette party is typically planned by the maid of honor, but unlike the shower, the cost is split between the participants who pay their own way for the festivities and entertainment. It’s not uncommon for the wedding party to give the gift of lingerie at the bachelorette party as well.
Rehearsal Dinner
The rehearsal dinner is held before or after the wedding rehearsal, and everyone who is involved in the wedding is invited to the dinner. It’s another way to say “thank you” to those who are giving of their time to help make your wedding a success. You may wish to mail invitation so everyone involved clearly knows that they are welcome to attend the dinner.
Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is paid for by the groom or groom’s family, while the wedding and reception are paid for by the bride or bride’s family, but you do not have to follow tradition. Decide who will pay for the rehearsal dinner early so it is not a source of contention.
At the rehearsal dinner, you should plan for some toasts. Not only should the bride and groom toast each other, but you may also open the floor for toasts from friends or family. Some couples choose to save this for the reception if they are having a reception meal. This is also a good time to give out bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts, unless you plan to have a post-wedding party.
Post-Wedding Events
After your wedding, your event planning doesn’t end. After the wedding, you may wish to say “thank you” to your wedding party. If your wedding was a destination wedding or a small ceremony, you may wish to throw a celebration party to allow other friends and family to offer their best wishes. Here are some common after-wedding events.
Post Wedding Brunch
Say “thank you” to your wedding party by hosting a post-wedding brunch. You can either do this the day after your wedding before you head off to the honeymoon, or you can schedule it for when you return if your wedding party is local. This is a great way to share memories and photos from the day and simply say “thanks” for all of the work that your friends and family put into your special day. Because of the flurry of activity leading up to the wedding, this is particularly easy to overlook, so consider scheduling it soon after you pick your wedding date. The post-wedding brunch can be a great time to give out your wedding party thank you gifts, as it gives the wedding party more of an opportunity to enjoy the gift after the ceremony is done.
Wedding Celebration Party
In today’s society, it’s becoming more and more common for couples to have small, private ceremonies with minimal guests or quiet destination weddings with nothing more than family in attendance. This is actually quite romantic, but it can rob those who care about you of the joy of celebrating your nuptials with you. One way to enjoy the celebration the way you wish and also allow those who love you the opportunity to give their best wishes is to host a post-wedding celebration party.
Similar to a bridal shower, but including both the bride and the groom, the post-wedding celebration party has much of the same elements of a traditional wedding reception. Food, drink and dancing are common elements of this type of party. You may wish to have your wedding photographs on display or to show your wedding video, so those who could not attend are able to enjoy some of the ceremony. It’s not uncommon for the bride and groom to wear the wedding finery to this event. Consider having a theme that is in line with your destination, such as a tropical theme if you were married on a beach on a tropical island.
Consider a Cruise for Your Wedding Related Events
For each of these events, the right venue is the starting point of your planning. You need a venue that accommodates your need for seating, entertainment, media players and, of course, food. A cruise is a great option for all of these.
On a cruise, you have everything you need at your fingertips to plan a great party, all in one location. It’s easy for people to find the cruise ship, and once on board they can sit back, relax and celebrate with you. The cruise ship and the view add ambiance to your event, and this can help cut down on the amount of decor you must purchase and budget for. Also, a staff that is ready to cater to your needs comes built-in with a cruise, making some of your planning less difficult.
If you are planning these pre- and post-wedding events, why not take advantage of our waterfront location? Paradise Charter Cruises are the perfect venue to host your event. Whether you cruise the Mississippi or Lake Minnetonka, you’ll find our charter ships the ideal venue for all of your wedding-related events. Book today, and check one more thing off of your pre-wedding checklist.