Today I am opening up the blog to you as we talk about the evening reception. Weddings are great, love in abundance, the ceremony, outfits, friends and family, drinks, food and then the evening do. Now I LOVE a good party! I love a good drink and a good dance, the louder the music the better! However I am also aware that some other couples are quieter and may prefer something a little more sedate. The evening reception can be some people’s favourite part of the wedding celebrations, while for others it can be a complete nightmare.

So today I wanted to be slightly controversial and suggest that maybe not everyone needs an evening reception.

(Photo by Paul Joseph Photography)

I think that many couples go along with the wedding plans and just add band, DJ or evening entertainment into their plans because that is what’s expected of them, but who’s to say that the part has to go on untill 12am/1am/2am, it could indeed finish after the wedding breakfast at say 7/8pm!!
I remember a couple of years ago I planned a wedding for a couple who had a lot of elderly guests coming to their wedding and who were planning on getting off on their honeymoon at about 10pm, which meant the celebrations ended at 7pm after the wedding breakfast and the speeches. None of the older guest cared to stay on and ‘party’ and the bride and groom were way more interested in getting in the taxi to the airport! Was there anything wrong with this? Not at all, after all it was their day, no one else’s, so it was their choice to make.

(Photo by Jay Mountford)

As I said I love a good party, at my wedding we were up till 5am dancing, drinking and splashing about in the pool! (well it was Ibiza after all). However there are many good reasons not to go all out for the evening do and keep things short and sweet.

Budget – If you are on a tight budget keeping the evening reception shorter can save a whole heap of money. No entertainment bill, no evening food, the photographer can leave earlier; all in all you could save thousands. Older Family – If your wedding guests consist of mainly older members then you may want to end the celebrations early. With a large proportion of the guests leaving early is their much point carrying on with only a half full venue? Time on your own – Maybe you want to spend the wedding night alone? Maybe you want to head off on honeymoon? Having the whole evening to yourself could just be the start to your wedding you are looking for as Man and Wife, much more romantic than on a hot sweaty dance floor? Other kinds of entertainment – Maybe your day has been chock-a-block with alternative entertainment, village fete games, garden games, board games. Maybe this themed of wedding just doesn’t warrant a disco or band? Maybe your guests are happy to carry on into the early evening and then leave? Not big drinkers – You and your guests may not be big drinkers so may not be used to or want to stay up late. Maybe you prefer lower key celebrations and would prefer a quieter way to celebrate. An early start – If you are starting your wedding ceremony early, you may not feel you want to carry on into the evening. Some couples opt for a breakfast ceremony, and literally have a wedding breakfast or brunch; this could mean that the whole day is over by mid-afternoon!

(Photo by Chris Milner)

Whatever you’re reasoning, not everyone wants an evening do. So the point of this post is to say that if you don’t want an evening reception, or feel it’s a waste of money, or something you just won’t enjoy, then don’t bother. No one is telling you you have to! No one is gong to think you strange if you want the day to end at 7pm or 8pm. After all it’s your wedding day nobody else’s, so do what makes you happy!

 

I’d love to hear from you, what are your thoughts? Did you finish your wedding earlier than normal, or are you currently planning your big day and not planning in an evening reception or still undecided if an evening do is for you. Or do you feel a wedding isn’t a wedding without a big party?
Whatever your views, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

 

The post Wedding Wednesday Discussions – Does Everyone Need an Evening Do? appeared first on Boho Weddings™.