Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our full disclaimer to learn more.
Sure, you want to keep your wedding ceremony intimate. Sharing your vows just seems like something just for you, your partner and your closest loved ones.
However, that does not mean that you are not ready to celebrate when you’ve said “I do.”
What’s a better reason to celebrate than marrying the love of your life?
Whether you want to go big with a full schedule of events or just have a fun brunch with your pals, a wedding ceremony celebration is a perfect way to kick off your marriage.
Here’s everything you need to know about planning a wedding ceremony celebration plus some eye-catching inspo.
What Is a Wedding Ceremony Celebration?
A wedding ceremony celebration is an event that happens following a wedding.
Wedding ceremony celebrations started as a tradition to “receive” friends and family for the first time as a newlywed couple.
It also marks the first time friends and family receive the newlyweds as a married couple.
There are many forms of wedding celebrations.
The most popular are receptions, afterparties and farewell brunches.
You can host one celebration event or all of them depending on how extravagant you want your wedding celebration to be.
How To Host A Wedding Ceremony Celebration
Just like planning your wedding ceremony, when it comes to planning your wedding celebration party the possibilities are endless.
You can have the party in any location you want. You can have it at the venue of your destination wedding or choose an alternative venue.
It can immediately follow the ceremony or occur weeks and even months later.
You can invite as few or as many guests as you would like to receive.
It’s also a wonderful way to include everyone in the celebration of your love when you have a private wedding ceremony.
Wedding Ceremony Celebration Ideas
Here are some wedding party celebration ideas to help you start planning:
Brunch
Imagine the perfect day with the perfect weather after you’ve slept in. You’re on a gorgeous outdoor patio with the most stunning view. You’re served bottomless mimosas (or bloody Marys if you prefer), stacks of pancakes smothered in all your favorite toppings and your friends and family are together to celebrate.
Lunch
Picture your favorite restaurant. You have a whole room to yourselves. A solo guitar player is gently strumming your favorite songs in the background. Your table is full of all your favorite bites and then some. You just got served a flight of craft beers and you and your besties are going to try them all together.
Tea
Do you love Bridgerton? Do you love the pomp and circumstance of traditional events but don’t want things to be stuffy? Have a high tea. Imagine dressing up in hats and gloves with all your friends. The table has a full spread of delicate finger foods each with its own doily. There’s a beautiful selection of tea but also some champagne cocktails for a toast to the couple.
Dinner
Breaking bread over the dinner table is a wonderful way to celebrate any major life event. Imagine a large table filled with all of your favorite people. The wine is flowing like laughter. Instead of just picking one, you share all the desserts. You definitely all ate too much but the food was as incredible as the company.
Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hours are sophistication at its finest — well, at least when the night starts. Picture a world-class bartender whipping up your guests a negroni sbagliato with prosecco in it. It’s stunning, just like the gorgeous art-deco-inspired venue you’re in. The music is downtempo but the conversation is lively. Plus you finally get to wear that elegant fit that’s been hiding in your closet.
Cake and Champagne
Sometimes the simplest plans are the best. Rather than simply go back to your hotel rooms when the ceremony is over, have cake and champagne (or mimosas and doughnuts, cupcakes and cava or brownies and beers — whatever you love). It’s a beautiful but low-key way to thank everyone who came together for your ceremony. Plus, it’s really easy to plan with our wedding ceremony collections.
If you’re having a destination wedding, talk to your wedding company. They can help you research local venues, find quality vendors and make a custom plan.
Once you have a plan, you’ll just need to send out wedding reception invitations six to eight weeks before the event.
A wedding ceremony celebration is your first event as a married couple and should be a truly memorable event.
If you plan on hosting one after your micro-wedding, let your Cactus Collective Weddings coordinators know. We’ll help you make a plan that fits your vibe as a couple.
Start with our helpful guide In What Order Do I Hire Vendors? and then contact us with any questions. We’re here to help make whatever you imagine for your wedding a reality.
McKenzi Taylor is America’s go-to elopement and micro wedding expert, often featured in small and major media outlets, such as the New York Times. With over 15 years of wedding photography experience, it was after planning her own Las Vegas elopement in 2016 that McKenzi felt her purpose shift into elopement coordination. She started Cactus Collective Weddings soon after in 2017. Since then, she’s become a WIPA board member, and has helped well over 1000 couples get hitched in style around Las Vegas, San Diego and Black Hills.
