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This is the couple’s time to celebrate their love with their closest friends and family! Typically the bride’s parents host the party; however, in these modern times, couples tend to throw their own celebration. Depending on how far out the wedding is, the engagement party can be anywhere from a few weeks after the proposal to six months into the wedding planning. Pre and Post Wedding Events
Usually a surprise occasion arranged by the maid of honor/bridal party. This is a time for friends and family to “shower” the bride-to-be/couple with gifts and well-wishes. Everyone can enjoy a meal, games, and watch the bride/couple open gifts! Typically the bridal shower takes place anywhere from two months to two weeks before the wedding. Pre and Post Wedding Events
This get together is one of the last chances for the bride to thank her bridal party by treating them to an intimate lunch. During this ladies-only lunch, the bride shows her appreciation to her attendants for all the love and support they have shown her throughout the wedding planning process. Planning this at least two days before the wedding will allow for some breathing room. If you’re hosting an evening ceremony, you could even consider holding your bridesmaid luncheon on your big day!
A celebratory night or weekend trip where a groom/bride parties with his/her side of the wedding party. From a crazy night out in Vegas to a weekend golfing with the groomsmen, this is the last chance to get out all of the pre-wedding jitters! For the bride, consider going for a spa weekend with the ladies at one of Arizona’s finest resorts! Planning the bachelor/bachelorette party at least a month before the wedding leaves ample time to finish up your last minute details!
For couples hosting a weekend-long wedding, especially a destination wedding, consider kicking off the weekend’s festivities by starting with a welcome party. The welcome party can take the place of the rehearsal dinner entirely, or it can take place on a completely different day.
A rehearsal dinner is held immediately following the wedding rehearsal. This gathering gives everyone from the grandparents to the officiant an opportunity to meet each other before the wedding ceremony. Traditionally, the groom’s cake, which the bride will order, is served after dinner. The groom’s parents are typically the hosts of the rehearsal dinner; however, once again, in these modern times, the couple tends to plan and pay for the event.
If you want to keep the party going long after your reception, invite guests to a local hot spot. The wedding after-party is a relatively informal gathering commonly attended by out of town guests, and the newlyweds to prolong the celebration until dawn.
The morning after the wedding, guests and the newlyweds will most likely want to sleep in, especially if they attended the after-party. Most post-wedding brunches start around eleven o’clock, but can start as late as one o’clock. This is time for everyone to unwind and say their goodbyes to out-of-town guests. This get together tends to fall on the bride’s parent’s budget since the rehearsal dinner is paid for by the groom’s parents.
Togetherness is the overall theme of the honeymoon. It is a time for the newlyweds to stay in their “bubble of love.” Couples should choose a paradise that will let them celebrate their commitment to each other while making new memories. Some choose to relax on white sand beaches, while others want to seek adventure traveling Europe. Traditionally, the groom and his parents pay for the honeymoon; but, nowadays the bride’s parents tend to chip in as well.
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