Afterglow Party – Continuing the Celebration

by Martha Blanchfield

Wedding planner Brandy Cabral of Bliss Event Productions has been working with Napa and Sonoma brides for five years – helping them envision and put together the celebration of their dreams in Wine Country. In addition to full service wedding planning and coordination, Brandy helps couples navigate the terrain and advises them about certain limitations and regulations for this, one of the world's most popular wedding destinations. Many couples come to Napa and Sonoma wishing to have the perfect wedding overlooking the vineyards -- a celebration that will last late into the night.

Enter the ‘Afterglow Party' – the perfect continuance of a true Wine Country wedding. “Afterglow parties are generally hosted at a different space than the actual wedding ceremony due to time constraints and/or noise restrictions that come with many of the desired outdoor locations or wineries in the Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Nearly all outdoor sites here will not let guests party on into the night,” says Brandy.

To comply with noise restrictions, an Afterglow event may shift to a new location; but sometimes it need only be moved indoors. Brandy further explains, “For example, I have a wedding taking place later this year at an outdoor setting on a private estate. Because noise restrictions require all amplified music be stopped by 10 p.m., this couple has elected to keep the wedding festivities going after that time by just changing some of their wedding elements.” The music will switch from a large live band down to a few musicians playing acoustically. The venue will move indoors, yet remain on the same site. “We're planning to bring in lots of cozy couches and chairs, add soft lighting and serve delicious late night snacks,” she adds. An Afterglow that continues at the same site will usually switch gears somewhat to offer a calmer mood and a more relaxed party atmosphere.

Coining the Phrase

Did Brandy coin this new phrase ‘Afterglow Party?” No, she says she did not. She recalls first hearing the phrase used by staff from The Lodge at Sonoma. They were referring to a big after-wedding party she put together a few years back. “Since then it's become a phrase I use and refer to in my event planning when an additional party/gathering will take place following the main event.”

She points out, “Destination wedding couples are most-inclined to add an “Afterglow” to their wedding event. Since a large number of guests are traveling to the area, the couple wants to get the most out of the celebration and spend as much time with guests as possible. And, because guests are usually spending more money than usual to attend the wedding, the couple wishes for them to enjoy and experience as much as possible.” But an Afterglow party usually adds to the budget so Brandy is averse to pushing it too hard. “Not every couple can afford an Afterglow, and I don't want them to feel like they're offering less to guests if they don't have one.”

It's her aim for an Afterglow party to sum up the feelings and mood for that special day. Afterglow events generally provide a relaxed and intimate gathering for friends and family where all can continue to revel and celebrate. The atmosphere is often toned down to a slightly different emotion than the wedding or main event.

One “Afterglow” Picks Scotch, Cigars and Reese's Pieces

Last season Brandy helped one couple extend their celebration beyond a 10 p.m. curfew. Her bride and groom, from San Jose, California, had dreamed of doing a grand wedding celebration at B.R. Cohn Winery in Glen Ellen with a very elegant wine country feel -- chandeliers hanging from the trees, rich bold linens, lots of intricate floral elements, dramatic lighting. Unfortunately due to local noise restriction laws, the event had to end at 10 p.m. Since many of the guests were traveling a long distance to attend, the bride and groom wished to make the most of time together by extending the celebration. They opted to create a highly personalized thematic after party where guests would continue to visit and celebrate.

A nearby resort, The Lodge at Sonoma , where a majority of the guests were staying, was selected as the best home for the “afterglow.” The couple provided transportation by California Wine tours from the resort to the winery (where the formal wedding and reception took place), and then back to The Lodge for the “afterglow” event. Adds Brandy, “For this event we took the evening in a very different direction and incorporated several of the couple's favorite fun things. We used the groom's love of scotch, cigars and chocolate. We took the bride's love of late night munchies food. We married their mutual affection for certain candies and based the party around these elements.”

Held at an indoor banquet room, Brandy and her staff directed set-up for intimate cocktail table seating throughout. For centerpiece décor, a collection of cigar boxes was used in multiple grouping on each table; Bliss Productions had amassed this caché gathered from cigar vendors throughout Northern California over the prior year. A relaxing lounge area was positioned next to the bar and low center tables displayed a humidor with large selection of favorite cigars. The room was softly-lit using many candles to add just the right ambience.

Because B.R. Cohn had allowed only wine and beer at the wedding site, the couple hosted a special bar featuring the groom's favorite scotches and after dinner cordials, plus a selection of other alcoholic beverages along with coffee and tea. Buffet-style stations were arranged throughout the room offering the bride's favorite late night munchies: nachos, mini cheeseburgers, French fries, mini pizzas. On the sweeter side, the couple offered favorite candies: Reese's pieces, Hot Tamales and peanut M&Ms at the candy bar. But the grand focal point was a chocolate truffle groom's cake that the bride had commissioned as a surprise. Patisserie Angelica, the company that had created the wedding cake, fashioned a creation featuring the groom's favorite truffles from Trader Joe's.

Let There Be Music

At the wedding the lively six-piece band, Larry Lynch and the Mob, kept guests dancing to the very end. Says Brandy, “We wished to switch it up a bit with a more relaxed environment at the “afterglow” -- one where guest could sit back and chat with each other. The couple was looking for more of a lounge feel. We hired a flamenco guitar player who provided the right musical ambiance for the balance of the night.”

The photographer from the wedding also played a big part in the “afterglow.” “The bride and groom wanted lots of pictures of guests, but not all shot in the traditional manner,” points out Brandy. “Photographer Anna Kuperberg set up a red screen in one area of the location and took snapshots of guests in candid and humorous poses with each other. The results were phenomenal and everyone really enjoyed the interaction.”

Another Afterglow Highlights A Hispanic Heritage

For another wedding, Brandy coordinated an extensive four-site celebration that started at the church, moved to reception and dinner, then on to two after party locations. The wedding reception and meal featured the best in local foods, wines and musical entertainment. In contrast, the “afterglow” event offered a far different theme -- the couple wished to celebrate and honor their Hispanic heritage; Brandy's destination couple and guests had traveled to the Napa Valley from Southern California and Baja Mexico.

The afternoon started off with guests being driven to a traditional marriage ceremony at St. Helena Catholic Church, before being shuttled to a cocktail and five-course meal reception at Beaulieu Vineyard Gardens. It was then on to Yountville for late hour events between the Villagio Inn and Spa and Hurley's Restaurant.

“This wedding had over 350 guests so it was necessary to secure a location that would accommodate such a large number and allow them to party late into the night,” said Brandy. “The ‘afterglow' at the Villagio kicked-off with a six-piece Mariachi band that set the tone as guests entered.” A large tequila bar was set-up to serve five different varieties of fine Mexican tequilas served shooter-style. Food included traditional Mexican dishes served in individual portions and hand-passed by uniformed staff. Guests were also invited to head across the street to Hurley's Restaurant, where Brandy had reserved a patio area for guests until close at 2 p.m.

As with most other “afterglow” events, guest transportation to the church, the reception and dinner, plus “afterglow” was pre-arranged. “This type of transportation is a must if alcohol is being served,” stresses Brandy. Once again, she used California Wine Tours to move the 350 attendees.

What to Consider

For the couple considering an “Afterglow Party,”ß Brandy calls attention to a few points. First and foremost is budget – how much can be dedicated to continuing the celebration? More than likely the costs will go to additional site fees, food and beverage, staff and entertainment. Will the “afterglow” be an extension of the wedding with similar theme and mood, or will it be something completely different? Brandy's “afterglow” events have sometimes been an extension of the reception with a continuing flavor and sometimes have taken a completely different tack.

Next, consider transportation or valet services. If alcohol is being served at the reception and/or “afterglow,” it's highly recommend that the host provide transportation to and from the new venue. Also weigh-in on extending this ride home to guests' hotel or final destination once the night is done. Brandy enlists the services of local transportation companies and will make arrangements in advance to keep taxi or car services on-call.

Where to host an “Afterglow Party?” There are several things to consider… Afterglow parties can go until the early morning hours, so find a site able to accommodate timing dictates, able to host all guests, and either provide or welcome outside vendors who can supply all the food, beverage and entertainment your couple wishes to offer. Consider resorts with contained rooms (such as tents or banquet halls) to keep the noise indoors. Restaurants and bars may also work, or, if you wish to be especially creative, explore opera halls, public spaces or interesting museums that provide the right backdrop. Another thought, especially if your reception and meal service is hosted outdoors and there is concern about noise, is to simply move the celebration indoors.

“As the planner, it's my job to coordinate and arrange a majority of the details and elements for the ‘afterglow,'” says Brandy. “I am present at the main event and will stay to be sure things are smoothly transitioned to the second or “afterglow” location. Typically once things are underway and running smoothly, I can turn things over to an assistant or the site staff who are experienced and capable of handling the balance of the evening.” Expert planning and hiring of experienced professionals ensure Brandy that each “afterglow” event runs smoothly and seamlessly. If she stuck around to the end, this would likely turn into a 16 – 18 hour work day!

Brandy plans only a handful of Afterglow parties each year, but their importance is gaining and other Wine Country planners are following her lead.

To learn more about Brandy Cabral's services, contact: Bliss Event Productions,
(707) 746-6136, www.blisseventproductions.com

Vendors represented:

Adeline and Grace Weddings, www.adelineandgraceweddings.com

Anna Kuperberg, www.kuperberg.com

B.R. Cohn, www.brcohn.com

Beaulieu Vineyard Gardens , www.beaulieuvineyards.com

California Wine Tours, www.californiawinetours.com

Hurley's Restaurant, www.hurleysrestaurant.com

Patisserie Angelica, www.patisserieangelica.com

St. Helena Catholic Church, www.sthelenacatholicchurch.org

The Lodge at Sonoma, www.thelodgeatsonoma.com

Villagio Inn and Spa, www.villagio.com