Day after bbq

I was thinking of saying to very close family and BM's, ushers etc about maybe coming round to our house the day after just for an informal party if they are still around. We are staying at a different hotel on our wedding night to everyone else so we won't be able to have breakfast with them. Our parents and siblings will be doing a lot of chauffeuring/chasing people/tidying up the morning after the wedding, so I thought it would be a nice way for them to relax in the afternoon.

My future SIL and BIL had a HUGE party at her parents house the day after they got married, but as a guest I honestly found it exhausting as it was almost like another wedding reception (hence why I want a very, very small gathering of people the day after at my house!).

I think it's a lovely idea when people have travelled and I've seen reports before from people who did this. The only thing I would suggest is you check that the house owners don't have any objections. You don't want someone turning up complaining.

I really like the idea of a casual get together the day after for anyone that is around. It'll give you & your OH the opportunity to catch up with people on the days events & things that you may have missed

I think it's a great idea! Thinking of doing the same thing myself although I'll see nearer the time how much else I have to sort out! ?

I think it's a lovely idea. But I'm with Chapples, I don't want to add to the stress!!

Thanks for all the advise. Will have a think about it. Maybe see if anyone would be interested first....I have a feeling people will be feeling a little delicate so may just want to chill out. Will defo keep it low key if we do.

This sounds lovely. But only do it if it won't add to the stress!

We had one after our wedding because it was out of town and everyone had travelled. We had golf in the afternoon for anyone who was interested and then a light buffet in the golf club afterwards. My Dad paid for a musician to come who played the guitar and sang lots of old time favourites. We had a great time because for my husband and I we got to relax a bit with our friends and catch up on the gossip from the day before. Our guests enjoyed it because as they were staying over it gave them somewhere to go. I think we had it about 5 - 8pm, which was a good time because it didn't drag out.

I've been to quite a few Day 2 events. I think they work where you're out of town, but generally where people have gone home people tend to crawl in to bed exhausted! So my advice would be - think about what you and your partner want. If it's to catch up with family, a small do in the house might be nice. If it's to keep the party going, will your friends be up for it? Also it can be an additional expense on top of the wedding that some of your friends might not be able to afford.

Hope that helps, and best wishes for the big day!

Helen x

As a wedding guest I would rather just get home after the actual wedding to recover and have some time to myself before I have to go back to work on the Monday but I guess it's up optional and not that they have to come to it.