Elopements and micro weddings have been gaining popularity amongst couples, and we at Rose Hill Flowers love hearing about them. There’s something special in making your celebration truly yours with a small group of friends and family. While these intimate ceremonies can be amazing, some couples worry about not including everyone on their special day. This is where the magic of post-elopement and sequel wedding parties comes in. From the traditional to the creative, post-wedding celebrations are an invitation for a larger reception of loved ones to join in on the fun. Our team of wedding experts is excited to help and wants to share everything you need to know about planning a memorable experience. From the bigger details to the smaller ones, we’ve listed out ways to ease your mind during the post-elopement planning process.
When is the right time to host a Post-Elopement or Sequel Wedding?
Deciding the timeline of your post-elopement or sequel wedding is completely up to you, but it should usually start with the question of why you’re hosting one to begin with. Couples who have eloped typically plan a post-elopement celebration soon after they tie the knot. For couples who are planning a sequel wedding, they wait until a year after their micro wedding, typically during their first or second wedding anniversary.
Crafting the perfect invitations
Giving someone a simple heads-up goes a long way, especially when it comes to announcing your elopement. While you’re not expected to invite everyone you know, letting them know is a different story. If you plan to elope, write an announcement to your loved ones before they find out about it on social media. Then follow up with a save-the-date or invite to your post-elopement party. This will help everyone feel more included and not like an afterthought.
When writing your invitations, use clear and transparent wording so everyone’s on the same page. If you had a micro wedding leading up to a sequel wedding, plan to send save-the-date cards and invitations as you would a traditional wedding. As the date approaches for your sequel wedding, send the second round of invitations to your more extensive guest list a few months before the celebration.
Ideas for post-elopement and sequel wedding invitations
- We’d love the presence of your company at our marriage after-party
- We had our marriage, now let’s party!
- Please join us in celebration of our first anniversary
- We’re not-so-newlyweds—let’s celebrate!
- Same time, different year. Let’s celebrate our wedding.
- We tied the knot with you in our hearts, and now we want to celebrate in person!
- Let’s celebrate!
Choosing to recreate your ceremony
A common dilemma in planning a sequel wedding is if you should recreate your ceremony or not. While your family would love to see you walk down the aisle again, you can share the beauty of your ceremony through a slideshow or video while adding in other elements that make your sequel wedding unique from the others. When it comes to keeping your celebration fresh and exciting, get creative by updating your vows, reading new poems, and learning new dance moves.
How do you plan a reception or celebration?
Traditional or casual? Formal or rustic? The good news is that there are no rules when it comes to planning your sequel wedding or post-elopement party. Whether you want to celebrate your love with friends in a traditional wedding venue or camp out in your backyard sharing BBQ, as long as it’s all about you, that’s all you need. Whatever style you choose, we recommend you dedicate some time to your guests, whether you express your appreciation for their presence or enjoy listening to a few toasts from your loved ones.
Should there be wedding gifts?
Short answer: no. Your post-elopement and sequel wedding are all about your love and commitment. This is good news when it comes to planning, as it relieves couples from creating and updating registries. In fact, gifts shouldn’t even be mentioned in post-elopement or sequel wedding invites. If guests still bring them, make sure to open their gifts in private and send a formal “thank you” afterward.
Choosing to re-wear your wedding dress or tuxedo
Your post-elopement party or sequel wedding is the perfect opportunity to dust off your wedding dress or tuxedo that’s been hanging in the back of the closet. However, you don’t have to and, instead, can opt to wear something that “suits” you better. In every aspect of your celebration, the focus should be on your comfort and how you best share your feelings of love with your partner. This can look like a flowy sundress with sunglasses and a simple button-up shirt with slacks. As long as you’re comfortable, you’ve chosen the right outfit. All we recommend is that you communicate the expected guest attire on your invites. You don’t want someone showing up in a suit and tie to a beach-themed party.
Post-elopements and sequel weddings don’t have an official roadmap, and that’s a beautiful thing. Here at Rose Hill Flowers, we encourage you to get creative and focus on the most important part of this celebration: you. Our seasoned florists and wedding experts are excited to bring your post-elopement reception or sequel wedding to life.
