With your wedding coming up, you’ve probably got a lot of planning to do, from designing beautiful invitations to picking out the wedding dress or suit of your dreams!
One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make when planning your wedding is to decide where you will hold the ceremony and the reception. But after having your wedding reception, you’ll want to let loose and enjoy the rest of the day with your family and friends—this is where the after-party comes in!
You could just have your after-party at the same venue where you’ll be having the wedding, but after-parties are usually very intimate events where you only invite your closest friends and family. So you’ll want to go to a smaller venue, like a restaurant with private party rooms!
Restaurants aren’t always someone’s first choice for a wedding after-party but they have their benefits. Let’s dive into the advantages of holding your wedding after-party at a restaurant.
Why have your wedding after-party at a restaurant with private party rooms?
So, here’s the lowdown on why these small venues are just perfect for your after-party:
1. Wide Variety of Dishes
Restaurants offer a wide variety of dishes that are great for almost any occasion.
If you’re expecting guests who have specific dietary requirements, the restaurant may be able to accommodate them. Also, the menu can be tailored to suit the preferences of you and your significant other.
Some restaurants may even allow you and your significant other, along with a few others, to attend a tasting session. These sessions give you the chance to test out the restaurant’s menu items to see if they’re to your liking. Keep in mind that tasting sessions aren’t free, the restaurant may charge you a small fee based on how many people will be attending the session.
2. Cost-Effective
A party venue costs an average of $400 to rent and if you plan on having your after-party at a major hotel, you might have to spend thousands of dollars. However, renting a private party room at a restaurant may be cheaper for you and your significant other if you’re on a tight budget.
Also, by saving money on the venue, you can allocate your budget to other aspects of the party, like entertainment and party favors for the guests.
3. Professional Services
When you book a regular party venue for your wedding after-party, you may need to get in touch with catering services too. Finding the right catering service can be a challenge itself with so many catering companies claiming to be the best but not all of them being able to prove it.
Fortunately, when you book a private party room at a restaurant, you won’t need to spend time and money looking for a catering service to come to your event—the restaurant staff will handle all the food-related stuff for you.
Restaurant staff are highly trained and they’re capable of handling all kinds of occasions, including wedding after-parties. In addition, the staff can help set up the private room to give you the perfect ambiance for your wedding after-party.
4. Accessible
Often, restaurants are located near roads and even highways. This makes it easy for guests to get to the event. This can be especially helpful for guests who are coming in from out of town.
Also, restaurants tend to have good parking spaces, making it easy for guests to park their cars. Typically, a full-service restaurant would have between 10-20 parking spaces per 1000 square feet, which should be enough for a small gathering.
5. Flexible
A restaurant with private party rooms can be very flexible. Depending on your guest count, the restaurant may be able to make adjustments to the party room to accommodate everyone comfortably.
Also, if you have a specific layout in mind, the restaurant staff may be able to make it happen.
6. Intimate Settings
Private party rooms in restaurants are often small and cozy, making them the ideal venues for more intimate gatherings. These kinds of small settings will create a more calm and relaxed atmosphere for guests and will encourage them to engage with each other more.
How can you choose the right restaurant?
Research potential venues in the Pittsburgh area. Google Maps and websites like Yelp can help you learn more about the most popular restaurants for hosting wedding after-parties.
1. Check the Availability
Make sure to check if the restaurant you choose has open dates for the days you want to hold your wedding and the after-party. You should do this as soon as possible so that you have time to make any necessary adjustments.
2. Discuss the Menu
Speak with the restaurant about their menu. Make sure to ask them if they’re willing to make changes to the menu to suit your preferences.
Also, see if they offer exotic menu options such as a sushi menu.
3. Read Reviews and Ask for Referrals
Check online reviews and ask friends or family members who have hosted events at the restaurant for their experiences. This can give you a good idea of how good the restaurant is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some commonly asked questions we receive from our customers:
1. What kinds of food items work well for a wedding after-party?
After-parties are for people to mingle and have fun, so not many of your guests will be interested in a big meal. Include small dishes into the menu that your guests can munch on while they mingle, such as sandwiches and pizza.
2. Can I have a dance space at my wedding after-party?
This depends on the size of the private party rooms. Also, you will need to speak to the restaurant staff to see if they can accommodate a dance floor.
3. Will children be allowed in a restaurant’s private party rooms?
Yes, most restaurants will allow children into their private party rooms. Speak to the staff to see if they can allocate a separate table for the kids and a special children’s menu too.
Keep an eye out for a good restaurant with private party rooms
Private party rooms at restaurants are underrated. They’re small, cost-effective, and have just the right atmosphere for intimate gatherings like wedding after-parties. There are many restaurants with these kinds of private spaces out there so start researching today, and don’t forget to check if your ideal restaurant has a great banquet menu to see what kinds of spaces they offer!