The day after

Gatica · 30-03-2015 09:59AM

OP, I think it depends on who the second day is targeted towards... If you think there'll be a few people checking out who'd love to hang around the day after, then 2 is better; however, if you think they'll be happy to head home with a long drive and only the local crowd or those at the hotel will be attending, then 6/7 is better.

We had an informal few drinks with finger food back home after our wedding. We had it around 7-8pm, as people were driving back from the wedding location and it gave everyone that wanted to come some time to nap, rest and recharge, we also needed it ourselves.
After a 2 day family wedding where we were staying at the hotel, we've also attended a buffet dinner around 6pm, which was good because people could sleep in, grab some lunch and mingle before dinner.

On another occasion though we had to drive almost 3 hours after a friend's wedding. They had a nibbles afternoon where many got to hang out again before parting ways and it was set for around 3pm. The main party and family stayed for a second night. It suited us then, as we were able to hang around a little before leaving, we wouldn't have stuck around it if was at, say, 7pm.

So as I said, really depends on your target crowd.

An Bhanríon · 30-03-2015 01:14PM

We had a small gathering in a sibling's house the day after our wedding. Most people went home but those who were in no hurry home came over for a few hours. As far as I remember they were invited for 1pm. These were mostly people who had stayed in the hotel. So they got up, had breakfast, hung around talking to people for a bit and then drove around 20 minutes to the house.

This worked out well for us, but as others have said it depends where your locations are and who the people attending will be.

witchgirl26 · 30-03-2015 04:39PM

I think if it's a casual thing away from the venue then it's fine to have it later in the evening. Anything that is happening in the venue, I'd say go for earlier in the day. I was at a wedding last year where the the latter was the case - BBQ (I use the term loosely) at 5pm. People who weren't staying a 2nd night didn't want to hang around for 5 hours for it so just ended up leaving & those who were staying ended up trying to find something to entertain themselves for the in between.

If it is somewhere away from the venue & is done more casually like you're saying & there's no obligation on people to go, then I think it's nice to give people a chance to drop stuff home & chill for a bit.

Sunny Dayz · 30-03-2015 05:28PM

OP like others have said - the timing of your 2nd day party depends on your guests.

If it's a bank holiday weekend and your guests are booked in for two nights, it would be better to have it later in the evening. That way you can give them some time to themselves the day after the wedding to do as they wish for a few hours. I have been to a few weddings where this was done, it is nice to have a few hours to yourself to do your own thing and great to all re-convene in the evening to catch up.

However, if people are not staying around for the second night, having a lunch or early gathering might be more suitable for them

We had a little get together after our wedding the following night as a few of his family made a long weekend of it. It gave them a few hours to themselves. Also note that we didn't even leave our hotel the day after the wedding until 1 or 2 o'clock. We stayed around the lobby chatting to people who were checking out, we had to sort things with the hotel eg get cake, get unused wine bottles etc. By the time we got home, did things like shower, nap, tidy house, start packing for honeymoon. Much like the day before our wedding we were mad busy all day doing little bits and pieces and chatting. So OP if you are having an early afternoon function the day after the wedding, give yourself and your new bride plenty of time to get your own selves sorted out!

PhoenixParker · 30-03-2015 05:43PM

If the guests are local to your second day venue or are travelling long distances (4 hours +) and therefore staying a second night then later is better.
If the guests are travelling short - medium (2 - 4 hours) distances then lunchtime is preferable.

The day after

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