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10 Popular Afternoon-Nighttime Wedding Reception Ideas

The wedding bells are ringing! Have you got some nighttime wedding reception ideas? Is your wedding reception bucket list are already filled with lots of goals and nighttime wedding reception ideas?

When a bride and groom decide this is their ideal nighttime wedding reception, there are a lot of strategies to make it more enjoyable for their esteemed guests. A wedding in the afternoon to nighttime wedding reception allows for a less traditional — but memorable affair. What more do you need to consider when the wedding invitations are out, the nighttime wedding reception is set, decorations have been arranged, food has been planned, and flowers have been designed to suit your nighttime wedding reception ideas?

Night Time Wedding Reception Ideas

Let's Dance the Night Away: Fun Night Time Wedding Reception Ideas

Roll the red carpet because here are some afternoons to nighttime wedding reception ideas to make it more fun when tying the knot!

BOOK THE VA-VA-VOOM VENUE!

Book a location with beautiful gardens for your wedding reception or throw a nighttime garden wedding reception party in your backyard if you or a family member has a green thumb. Hire a string quartet for an elegant touch or a classical guitarist for a contemporary nighttime wedding reception twist. Set up old-fashioned lawn activities like croquet or bocce ball as wedding reception entertainment instead of the typical dance during a wedding reception. Serve light snacks like tiny quiches and, of course, slices of wedding reception sweets with a waiter passing around some welcome drinks or sparkling wines. The afternoon to nighttime wedding reception ideas is endless!

If you have an adventurous spirit, a nighttime wedding reception idea on the beach is a great choice.

"There is nothing like dancing barefoot beneath the starlight, sand between your toes, and the rhythmic sound of the waves in the backdrop," says destination wedding coordinator Gwen Grosset.

What better way to express your love given the amazing natural backdrop? Music is the key! After the nighttime wedding reception program, let the drums make the noise and let those dancing feet stomp on the sand. A concert band for this lovely event till the nighttime wedding reception will make difference!

A COMFORTABLE DRESS WOULD BE THE BEST!

The majority of afternoon wedding couples choose a lighter, less formal version of conventional wedding dresses. Instead of black, the groom can wear a suit in grey or blue (or a morning coat instead of a formal tuxedo). A conventional wedding gown is still the preferred choice for a lady, however with a more relaxed design (think A-line rather than a ball gown) and less ornamentation. Getting suitable attire that is perfect for the nighttime wedding reception party is highly encouraged especially since the newlywed couple moves around and possibly parties with the guests.

Every bride, in a perfect world, would have two wedding gowns: an expensive, knock-'em-dead gown to fulfil her every bridal desire and a second, more comfortable gown for the evening reception. Most brides must settle for something in the middle: a lovely gown that feels unique but is also simple to move around in during the dancing until late at night! When shopping for wedding gowns that you can dance in, keep in mind that a tight skirt will limit your leg motions, trains are difficult to handle even with a bustle or a wrist loop, and anything with a lot of boning or a particularly structured bodice will make it impossible to shimmy about.

With a relaxed attire theme, the couple and guests can freely roam around the nighttime wedding reception to greet the attendees and soiree the night away! Comfortable clothing can make everyone dance to the entertainment and celebrate a memorable milestone the whole nighttime! Consult your friendly fashion designer on an afternoon to nighttime wedding idea regarding the most comfortable wear. For sure, a designer has tons of nighttime wedding reception ideas in her mind to execute.

TEA PARTY ANYONE?

Take a cue from the British, who never miss a tea party, and have an early afternoon wedding reception tea party. Look for dainty teacups and saucers in thrift stores and antique shops in advance of the occasion. Set the tables with light pink floral centrepieces and thrift shop treasures, and hire wait personnel who know how to properly serve tea. Instead of — or in addition to — traditional wedding cake, serve the tea with scones and clotted cream. The ceremony will be completed with a harpist or violinist playing quietly in the background. What do you think about this afternoon nighttime wedding reception idea?

All decisions, including the cuisine, flowers, décor, and music, are chosen in accordance with tea traditions, simplifying the process. Flowers and food in early June imply delicate greens and whites in the garden. Lily of the Valley has long been a popular wedding flower, symbolizing the return to the happiness of springtime in its original French meaning. When Catherine Middleton, now the British Duchess of Cambridge, married Prince William, she wore these tiny flowers in her bridal bouquet. Your wedding reception may be just as memorable with proper planning and time management.

Lantern Night Time Wedding

SUMPTUOUS MEAL & WINE THAT EVERYONE DESERVES!

Check your menu checklist if you have some nourishing dishes for your valued guests in your nighttime wedding reception ideas. A substantial cuisine selection is essential for a nighttime wedding reception. You may serve a dinner, which (albeit chicken and fish tend to take centre stage more than beef), or you can be more adventurous and serve a buffet instead during the nighttime wedding reception. Consider a waffle bar with a variety of toppings that suits the theme of your nighttime wedding reception ideas. Don't forget about the beverages. With a late afternoon to the nighttime wedding reception menu, serve lighter wines, or champagne drinks, Bloody Marys, and spiked coffee which can be available in a mobile bar. Do you get some favourite nighttime wedding reception ideas on drinks and liquors? Add it to the list, you might never know, and your guests are also in favour of it.

BRING THE BEAT IN!

Music is an essential component of every event, and it's something that couples overlook while planning their nighttime wedding reception. Planning a wedding playlist is a vital and ideally enjoyable part of the process of listing the essentials for the nighttime wedding reception ideas.

You may put your favourite songs on the playlist but catering to the many generations that are likely to be present at your nighttime wedding reception is one of the most difficult aspects of putting up a playlist. Older relatives, guests, and friends are unlikely to love the same music as your peers and colleagues. You don't want your whole playlist to be made up of pop-comedy tunes such as YMCA.

Asking your guests to pick a few of their favourite songs on the wedding RSVP and creating a Spotify wedding playlist is one of the greatest nighttime wedding reception ideas to create a well-balanced mix. You are not required to use any of the ideas, but you should consider them all. What's your favourite music that should be present on the playlist for your nighttime wedding reception ideas?

THE BEST EVENT ORGANIZER TO ORGANIZE THE WEDDING RECEPTION

A hostess and/or host may be quite favourable in the smooth running of the nighttime wedding reception if the wedded couple doesn't have a wedding planner or an expert who comes with a resort-wedding reception package. A bride or groom chooses a close friend or family who is kind, efficient, organized, and optimistic in hosting the nighttime wedding reception.

As soon as the bride says, "I do," a smart hostess rushes to the nighttime wedding reception site to make sure the DJ or band, table arrangements, cake, decorations, guest book, and everything else the bride has always envisioned are ready before the visitors come.

The host and hostess greet visitors at all wedding functions and ensure that they sign the guest book at the wedding or reception. They also inform visitors of their seating arrangements and when their table is scheduled to visit the buffet. They direct people to the gift table, as well as keep a watch on that table, and assist anywhere else or whenever they are required. Once you have identified your event organizer, you may now tick this on your nighttime wedding reception ideas.

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!

If there's one thing you can count on at a wedding (apart from the happy couple and the vows), it's dancing. While the majority of the dancing is for the guests' enjoyment, there are a few dances reserved for the bride and groom's closest friends and family. Before you finalize your reception dances (which we believe live band music can cater to), see if any of the following appeals to you and your special someone.

  1. First dance as a couple
  2. Father and daughter dance
  3. Mother and Son Dance
  4. Grandfather and Bride dance
  5. Grandmother and Groom Dance
  6. Stepparent Bride or Groom Dance
  7. The Dollar Dance

Attendees will party no matter what if the newlywed's dances during the nighttime wedding reception. While a DJ, a jazz group, or an acoustic guitarist entertains everyone while the guests are dining, turn the music up a notch for dancing to keep the nighttime wedding reception ideas alive. The newly wedded couple may surprise the guests with a dance involving the bridesmaids and groomsmen on a piece of TikTok music. We also think a duo of Spanish guitarists with their seductive music can charm and get the oldies' audience to hop on the dance floor. Dance music should be on the bucket list of nighttime wedding reception ideas!

AN EMCEE WITH A HUMOR CAN PULL IT OFF!

From the checklist, selecting the ideal nighttime wedding reception emcee or MC brings the nighttime wedding reception ideas to life. That person should be able to interact effectively with the audience while maintaining a good mood during the nighttime wedding reception.

The emcee is crucial in a variety of situations. They are usually the ones that speak in front of the crowd. An emcee is present at most events nowadays to keep the mood alive during the nighttime wedding reception. It is essential to have one for the wedding reception.

The bride and groom have two alternatives when it comes to choosing a wedding emcee.

  1. Someone the bride and groom knew personally. A close friend or a family member. Because it's a close buddy, there's a chance that an individual is willing to help, and they will do it for free.
  2. Someone who makes a living doing it and who has been in the industry for a long time. They're used to performing in front of a live crowd. They know how to put on a show and got some good humour or antics that engage the audience.

A DJ, A SOLO SINGER, OR A BAND? THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

Experienced wedding bands will be able to read a wedding reception crowd and select songs that will get people up from their seats and go dancing during this nighttime wedding reception – however, the wedding couples may provide them with a short (or lengthy!) selection of music you'd like to hear on your special day. Some wedding bands will also learn the music for your first dance during the nighttime wedding reception.

Some wedding bands will also provide a DJ service for breaks or to build up a huge party atmosphere at the conclusion of the nighttime wedding reception.

Wedding reception dance floor

Unique Wedding Reception Ideas and Elements to Make Your Big Day Perfect

Everyone wants their wedding day to be one of a kind but coming up with really unique wedding reception ideas that wow guests may be a tough thing. Including innovative wedding ideas on the wedding day is a proven way to ensure your guests never forget the pleasure they had at your nighttime wedding reception, from forward-thinking fashion moments to wedding decor to the most updated or classic music that takes everyone's breath away.

Look no further than the activities that offer you and your spouse delight if you're grasping at straws and can't come up with a completely unique plan for your nighttime wedding reception ideas.

"Think about what you both enjoy and if there are any shared experiences you'd like to repeat or include," Diana Lin of Collectives by Diana advises.

You can hire performers like acrobats, fire dancers, dance groups, and ballerinas, or even offer unique activities like archery, games competition, mini tattoo session, or develop a unique wedding theme like Star Wars, Harry Potter, Avengers, or unique treats like ice cream station, cotton candy treats, among others.

Among all of these, we guess that every guest loves to sing. That's human nature! Surprise your attendees with celebrity lookalikes that sing exactly just the same as your idols or those guests who would like to join a band or duet with a lead singer. Surely, this is a good idea for your nighttime wedding reception.

Conclusion

Who would love to cater to all of your stage musical performances but no other than UK Live Entertainment? Name all the genres of your favourite music needs, and UK Live Entertainment can offer it all for your special occasion. UK Live Entertainment offers the most suitable performers for all ages and special requests. If you are looking for a specific type of custom performance, there is a quick inquiry button on the website in which a customer care representative will answer all your queries. Save time and effort by visiting the UK Live Entertainment portal!