Early Afternoon Ceremony and Reception - do we need an afterparty?

Thanks for all the tips and input everyone - very much appreciated!

Our ceremony starts at 1:30, cocktail hour from 4/5 while we take photos, reception from 5/8, we booked a banquet room at a local restaurant. We are having a big 55 person family dinner Then we plan on going to the casino for drinks and a little gambling. We’re staying at the Casino for our wedding night & most of our guests are 10+ hours away. So we went for convenience, if people decide to get crazy, no worries about driving

We are having a brunch the next morning only for the out of towners and fiance's parents even though they are local!). It will be a smaller affair so we can spend a bit more time with those who travelled. We are not paying for them though and won't be sending out an official invitation; we will send them an e-mail when they RSVP to let them know it's happening and that we won't be hosting (not sure how we will word it yet that they will need to pay for their own meal).

View quoted message That's a great idea too, we are all pretty laid back as well and I don't really want to plan two receptions so any after party would definitely be something simple like that! Maybe I will see if one of our guests that live in town that have a yard would let us host something similar there.

We are having a similar wedding 1-4 type with food, non alcohaulic drinks, games, photos, ceremony, cake.,..etc

we wanted an after party of sorts but something super low -key so we asked my FH's aunt and uncle if we could throw a little shindig in their backyard, we will buy the beer anything else is BYOB. we will have a photobooth and likely order late night pizza. we want a laid back atmosphere for people to have a couple drinks and visit...no dj or anything like that.. our costs will be the table chair rentals, any decor and booze. keeping it simple

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Neither of our parents live in town so they will be travelling as well and wont be able to host anything. Family doesn't care either way if we do something before/after so I am not too worried about them but we will have about 10 - 12 out of town guests which are the ones I am a bit worried we might need to have something additional planned for.

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Most will have to stay the night or come the night before and leave that day after the ceremony

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I think that's a really great idea! I was thinking of having maybe a brunch or something for the day after. Are you having it catered and paying for your guests or will you have them pay for themselves?

Timeline for everyone is different based on the venue too. Our venue had a time frame foe the wedding at 4 30pm and we did pictures. Cocktail hour was followed after and reception.

I'm having a similar wedding and reception. My ceremony will start at 12 noon. The ceremony will last 20 minutes then the guests will have or'deuorves while the wedding party take photos and the reception start at 1pm. The venue closes at 11pm so from 1 pm to 11pm we party. I only have invited 65 guests. I'm having a country rustic wedding at Cowbell Brewing Co. Half of my guests are having to travel 2 hours for the wedding so I thought that an early ceremony and reception would be nice so no one would have to drive in the dark. Guests can leave after dinner and dancing and it will still be daylight outside.

View quoted message I think this suggestion is great. Maybe do either the day before or day after meal to save a little. Your guests will still feel appreciated either way.

I’m doing something similar and having a rehearsal/welcome dinner the night before, the ceremony/reception during the day, and a goodbye/thanks for coming breakfast the next morning.

I would prop want after party if possible. Depends how far are these people traveling? If it’s only hour ish then I wouldn’t worry if it’s a few or more then I would think there would be something after.

Hmm ... I think personally since you have people coming from out of town I would want to have either a rehearsal dinner or after party. But it is totally your day! How many outnof toen guests will there be? Could your parents or inlaws host something even if you dont necessarily attend?