After-Wedding Activities
Generally, wedding festivities are over and done with after the wedding reception. However, for some couples, old traditions of after wedding activities are still a must. Of course with today’s busy schedules, everything depends on the couple’s close relationship with family – the wedding location and if out of town family are in house guests etc.
The most common post wedding activity is often a large breakfast or brunch. This is a really great time for very close family and friends to catch up and share memories. This day-after activity can be elaborate or just a simple family time. It can be held at a restaurant, close relative’s house for a more relaxed and intimate setting, catered or potluck.
As old traditions go, the bride and groom use the post wedding day to open presents. It is believed that it is good luck to open the presents before the family. This event can be made interactive by opening the presents and displaying them, where all the family can see and admire them in detail.
The gift opening activity can be made into a game for all to participate and enjoy, even if it is just good old silly fun. One can start with the largest and work through to the smallest, vice-versa or just pick and choose. The family can participate in trying to guess what’s inside the package. A tally can be kept and the one with the most correct guesses can be given a small gift.
The women relatives can help the bride take care of the wedding gown. Dry cleaning, storage or whatever the bride wanted done, in addition to preserving the bouquet.
All families have someone extremely craft oriented. This may be the right occasion for family to help the bride put together normal pictures taken by relatives and friends in an album with hand written notations by those present. It will make a great keepsake, different from those of the official photographer. In fact if this event gets planned before the wedding, the bride could ask someone to make snapshots of funny and interesting events at the wedding. Use your imagination and you can have a fun filled day with the nearest and dearest.
Computer or craft oriented relatives and friends can help make the thank-you cards for the gifts and this can take care of another post honeymoon job. The couple can make personal notations in it and the cards will be individual and personal instead of something bought at a store.
The post-wedding activity is a good time for all closely involved with the hectic activities of the wedding to relax and calm down. Once the couple has relaxed, they can go off on a wonderful honeymoon without resentful baggage. Close families even play games like football. Any activity to wind down and blow off steam for the whole group is great. With the wedding stress over and done with, the wind-down day will be a welcome relief for all.