Your Guide to All Pre- & Post-Wedding Events

FEATURED PHOTO BY Hellen Co Photo + Film

The ceremony and reception get a lot of attention — as they should! But there are a lot of other events surrounding a wedding.

For a full celebration, pre- and post-wedding parties are not to be overlooked. Here are some options to get the soirées started … and to keep them going. You certainly don’t need to take part in all of these, just do whatever fits you, your relationship and your culture best!

Bridal Shower or Couple’s Shower

The bridal shower is a daytime party hosted by friends and non-immediate family. No planning by the nearlywed needed! This event is often a ladies-only festivity in the form of a luncheon, tea party or light hors d’oeuvres social. A shower is a great opportunity to embrace a theme and light-hearted games that you might love, but not want to incorporate into the wedding itself.

Traditionally, this is an occasion to celebrate the bride herself, but as our culture shifts, it’s not uncommon to see these being replaced with couples’ showers, a joint event celebrating both partners.

WHEN: One to two months before the wedding

Bachelor Party and Bachelorette Party

Your wedding is all about your relationship with your future spouse. But the bachelor/ bachelorette party allows some time to just celebrate you as an individual. For the rest of your life, you will be joined with your partner, but this is a party for you. This celebration involves yourself and your closest friends in one final revelry of being single (legally speaking). This celebration can be anywhere from one fun night out on the town all the way to a multi-day destination adventure.

The quintessential bachelor/bachelorette party involves a same-sex guest list, but some couples — especially ones with a blended friend group — may prefer to have a joint party, which can be just as fun! So don’t be afraid of this alternative option.

WHEN: Six to eight weeks prior to the wedding

Welcome Party

For couples anticipating a lot of out-of-town guests, the welcome party is a great way to usher in your big weekend. This event can be anywhere from a bar buyout cocktail party to a casual backyard cook-out, whatever gets your guests together to break the ice amongst each other and set the scene for fun. Your wedding day will be busy, so this is the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with guests.

WHEN: One or two nights before the wedding

Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner is the last official celebration before the wedding itself! As the name implies, this dinner occurs after the ceremony rehearsal. Usually, the rehearsal dinner is for immediate family and the wedding party (or anyone who is involved in the ceremony itself), but invitations can also be extended to out-of-town guests. The rehearsal dinner is often hosted by the groom’s parents, although it is just as frequently hosted by the couple themselves. Locations for rehearsal dinners vary, but private rooms at restaurants or private residences are top options.

WHEN: The night before the wedding

Sangeet

A Sangeet is a colorful Indian pre-wedding tradition in which family joins to sing, dance, eat and celebrate the upcoming festivities. Compared to Western tradition, a sangeet is similar to a rehearsal dinner, but even more vibrant and lively. This celebration is centered around music and involves choreographed dances, ornate attire and free-form dancing, all centered around wishing the best for the couple.

WHEN: The day before the wedding

Aufruf

An Aufruf is a Jewish ceremony hosted at a synagogue on the Saturday before the wedding. Aufruf translates to “calling up” in Yiddish, and the customary ceremony tradition involves just the groom, but more liberal synagogues have expanded to include both partners. The ceremony calls for the groom (or the couple) to recite a blessing followed by the congregation showering him (or both partners) with candies as a symbol of sweetness and fruitfulness.

WHEN: Saturday before the wedding

After Party

Depending on your reception venue’s hours or noise restrictions, your party might have to close down before you’re done celebrating. To keep the party going, many couples have an after-party held at a hotel room, nearby bar or a friend’s house. Your parents and grandparents can head back to get some rest while you and your close friends continue on into the night with loosened ties and kicked- off shoes.

WHEN: After the reception ends

Day-After Brunch

You’re recovering from a long weekend with a packed timeline; the day-after brunch offers a relaxed closing to it all. An informal buffet-style brunch works great for this, as guests can come and go as they please. Depending on how the night ended, this allows guests to say their goodbyes and not feel rushed. Plus, who doesn’t love some coffee and pastries among loved ones?

WHEN: Morning after the wedding