Ask Liz: How Do We End Our Wedding?

Dear Liz,

What’s the best way to end the night so guests know it’s over and it’s time to go home, without being awkward about it? We rented a house for our wedding this summer. The neighborhood sound restrictions mean that the music needs to be off by 10 pm, so that’ll be the end of the party! How do we do this?

Signed,

Great Escape

Dear Great,

I believe that since everyone came to your wedding to see and celebrate you, then that’s how they should end the night, too.

I am a big fan of the Goodbye and Thank You Speech and the Last Dance. At about 9:45 or so, the two of you grab a microphone, thank your guests for coming, and announce that it’s officially the end of the night. Then, invite everyone onto the dance floor for one last song. Fun, unity, and one last celebration of you. You could also switch that and do the last dance first, and then the speech – discuss the best order with your DJ.

Some other end-of-the-night suggestions:

• Close down the bar at 9:30, and talk to your DJ about when to announce last call.
• 9:30 is also a good time to alert any parking attendants, valets, and shuttle drivers that you’re ending the night, and to get ready.

Transitioning your guests out the door is easier when you end the day the same way that you started it, with fun, connection…and clarity.

What else do you need, or need to know, to create a wonderful wedding day? Click here to contact me about wedding planning services, or email charmed@silvercharmevents to submit a question for the next Ask Liz Column.

See you at the end of the aisle,

Liz

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