What to Do When You Want to Party All Night But Can't Find a Wedding Venue That Will Allow It

Every couple has a vision of what their wedding reception will be like, and for many, it's one everlasting party that goes for hours upon hours with no end in sight. But what happens you start searching for a wedding venue and realizing that such an enigmatic space doesn't seem to exist? The fact of the matter is that most wedding venues have clear cut-off times set for well before midnight. If you're one of those couples that wants to party all night and can't find a venue that'll allow it, here's what you need to know.

Why won't our venue let us party later than 10 p.m.?

Locally designated noise restrictions, pesky neighbors, liquor license rules, and staffing restrictions are a few of the reasons your venue may not allow late-night parties. Every venue has its own set of rules and regulations, sometimes with logical reasoning and sometimes seemingly without.

Can't we just pay more to party longer?

It's always worth asking your venue about this possibility, but you should know that there might still be some restrictions built-in. For example, your venue may agree to let your guests stay an extra two hours but you may be required to close the bars or end all music earlier.

What types of venues allow weddings to go later?

Urban venues often have later end times, as do hotels and restaurants that are usually open late when they aren't hosting private events. You tend to run into strict cut-off times at private estates, vineyards, and venues that are located in residential areas.

Should we just settle for the early end time and move everyone to an after party venue?

If you can't find a venue that'll allow you to party late, moving the party crowd to an after-party venue is usually the best option. This way, you can have your wedding at your dream location but still get to hang with your friends late into the night. You'll lose some of the non-partying crowd (like older folks who want to go to bed) in the process, which isn't always a bad thing.

What's the best after-party venue?

This depends entirely on what you're after. If you're having a destination wedding, the after party could be in someone's large hotel room if you've bought out the property. If your wedding is local, you could opt to book a private lounge room at a bar or hotel nearby. If your wedding includes glamping on a private property, the after party is likely to end up around the campfire that night. Think about what you want the vibe to be like and you can select your venue based on that vision, keeping in mind it doesn't have to be formal. Sometimes the best after parties are in dive bars or at a close friend's house!