Welcome party / post wedding brunch

No, they are not necessary. But if you have the budget and a lot of out of town guests its a nice gesture.

90% of our guest are OOT, to avoid having to invite everyone to the rehearsal dinner (as typically etiquette says you invite OOT tot he reversal dinner although I'd say this isn't super super strict) we have hosting a casual welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant. We not hosting a morning after brunch.

Definitely not necessary.
We are having a day after party at our house the day after. Because our friends and family will be there (some from out of state) and we want another day to celebrate. FH's dad is BBQing and I'm encouraging people to bring something to pass around if they can. At least their own drinks as we're giving them a completely open and free bar the night of the wedding.
It's all up to what you and FH want to do.

Neither event is necessary.

I don't think either is necessary, it really depends on what you and your FH want. I do think it's a nice gesture to maybe do one or the other with lots of OOT guests. I was thinking about ordering a bunch of mini pastries from our favorite bakery for the morning after if we have several guests that decide to camp overnight or get rooms rather than drive back home since we want to get married in the mountains. The only wedding I've been invited to that did a welcome party or farewell brunch was a destination wedding in Mexico.

Nope... not necessary. 💋🐩

If you have a big wedding, yes. There is no way to see everyone that night. And to not at least spend a few moments with your guests, esepcially out of town guests, is really rude.

Alternate could be a welcome cocktail/dinner night prior. Takes the pressure off trying to see everyone at the reception.

How many out-of-town guests?

I definitely would not have wanted to get together with anyone the day after our wedding! We were exhausted. For our small DW, my family did host a welcome BBQ the night before which was great to see guests and let them mix & mingle before our wedding day. If you could swing it, an open optional light dinner (anytime 5-7 pm) with catered food (Mexican, Italian or BBQ @ $10/person) just for you both and out-of-town guests (and both sets of parents who may want to see family), would be lovely. But if not possible due to time or money, it’s ok to skip.

View Quoted Comment Roughly 70-80

View Quoted Comment We have maybe 75-80 invited I’m sure quit a few won’t attend

There is no need to invite out of town guests not in the wedding party to a rehearsal dinner. And no need for a welcome dinner, or a next day brunch. They are extras some people with the time and money like to do, but are not expected, or in any way required.

I am thinking about doing the same thing. I am having my wedding in another state and most everyone will be traveling. Because I can't please everyone, we are going to be making breakfast at the venue the day after the wedding and only hosting our close family.

No it is not at all necessary, if the budget allows I would say it is a nice gesture but it is definitely not necessary.

If you wanted to do a brunch, I would call the hotel you have a block in, or a hotel you are suggesting for out of town guests and tell them you are interested in a brunch and see what they can do. We were able to tell the hotel we were interested in the brunch and we obviously had to pay but they took care of everything else!

They are not necessary but a nice gesture if you have the budget. We are most likely doing a simple breakfast at the hotel the day after just to mingle with out of town family and friends. Basically fruit, pastries, things like that, nothing extravagant.

Definitely not necessary. If you want it, do it. If not don’t. There are ways to do it that are more affordable. After a private rehearsal dinner, we’re hosting a small happy hour at our hotel bar. The next morning, everyone at the hotel already gets free breakfast so we’re talking to the hotel about the possibility of a smaller more private area for our guest to meet up. I know of other couples that have done something similar. It gives a similar feel to the big before and after parties but saves a ton.

No they are not necessary, and we are not doing either. We don't really have family traveling far enough that a flight is required. And maybe two couples taking a flight. Many people don't do brunches if they leave for their honeymoon the next day as well. If you don't even want to do a brunch you don't have to.

No, we aren't having either. We are doing a rehearsal dinner with wedding party, immediate family, and aunts/uncles/cousins. We can't include out of town guests or it would literally become a second wedding. We are doing a low key "we will be in the bar from 7-9 if you want to come see us" at the hotel for other guests but nothing else!

Hell no not necessary at alllllllll

Definitely not necessary and to me overkill. As bride and groom I don't want another responsibility to show up somewhere and entertain. I'll be exhausted!!! And honestly, as a guest, if I've had a decent amount of fun the night before, I don't want to be forced to get up and go somewhere either. I just have never been a fan of them.

I 100% agree with you. Unfortunately my parents are giving us a lot of grief about not wanting to host a day after brunch 🙄 (for both financial reasons & because I know I’ll be so overwhelmed after all the wedding festivities). The hotel where our room blocks are hosts a really nice free breakfast so if you’re does too maybe you can just meet everyone there and see if the hotel can reserve a few tables for your group? That’s what I’m leaning towards to keep it casual. We’re having a welcome dinner the night before for our wedding party, immediate family, and OOT guests.