At the last two weddings I photographed, the cocktails were flowing, the dancing was really heating up, and the couples, who just knew they wouldn't be able to say goodbye in the end, had secured just the right space, just the right mood, and were hosting parties til the break of dawn.

It left me wondering, is the after-party a new trend?

With the ingredients of old friends, family and out-of-town guests, a post-wedding party that lasts well into the night offers the opportunity to spend more time together. So it's certainly worth becoming the next wedding must-have. Here's the recipe:

The Right Space

The most important element in an after-party is definitely the location. Luckily, in the Hudson Valley, you can really have your pick!

Tucked into the heart of the mountains, Full Moon Resort offers up its super-cool party barn for post-reception events. Complete with full bar and tenders, mood lighting, lounge-y seating, stage and a great big dance space, it's got everything a girl could want.

Some venues, like the Kaaterskill Inn, also offer never-ending time limits on events, where couples can continue to rock the reception with their guests, especially those staying at the Inn, into the wee hours.

Still others, like Osborn Castle, can set up event rentals per weekend where the couple gets the whole property at their disposal from Friday night to Sunday. In these cases, you could easily stock the fridge and transition into a house party once the reception ends.

For something even simpler, plan your after-party around the venue's fire pit—so many offer them these days. Try the Inn at Stone Ridge, the Kaaterskill and Osborn Castle, to name just a few.

With this scenario, all you really need are some marshmallows and maybe a friend with a guitar.

The Right Mood

When it comes to setting the mood of an after-party, there's no better way than with music. Your wedding DJ might love the opportunity to reap the rewards of all his/her hard work warming up your guests during the reception to do a few hours of overtime at the after-party.

You could also switch gears to differentiate the two parties by going in another direction for the after-hours. Ideas could include a band, a club DJ or a friend who spins.

One of my favorite after-parties was where there was contradancing with a live band! Or go low-key with your favorite music randomly mixed on an iPod hooked up to the venue's sound system.

Being a wannabe fashionista myself, I think the after-party is the perfect excuse for a second dress on your wedding day.

You could stick with white, to remain in the bridal frame of mind, and choose a shorter length and/or more daring cut to set a more casual mood.

Silver is also a fun way to play with the bridal theme while updating for evening. Your groom could achieve the same vibe by leaving his formal jacket and pants at the reception and throwing on a pair of well-tailored jeans to go with his wedding shirt and tie.

Next, prepare some signature cocktails. I just loved how Nicole and Allen picked two that perfectly described their personalities. It made the invitation to drink that much more personal.

Try to go with an unusual or vintage drink so guests are encouraged to try something new, which sets the stage for a pretty fun party.

Do your research at the Stockade Tavern in Kingston. If you sit at the bar and chat up the owner, Paul, he'll share with you snippets of his vast wealth of knowledge in mixology... and even call you a cab in the end.

Now there's a wedding research assignment you'll surely enjoy!

Hillary Harvey is a freelance photographer specializing in wedding photojournalism. Her signature drink is the Maximillian Affair, which is currently off the menu at the Stockade, but available upon request. Hillary never drinks at weddings... unless she's a guest.

I love beach weddings. The wind in your hair. The sand in your toes. The symbolism of the ocean as it constantly laps at the shore.

What I'm not so fond of is the abundance of cheesy, cheap-looking beach wedding decor that's out there (don't get me wrong. I have no problem with cutting costs—just as long as it doesn't look like you cut costs).

So in the spirit of summer and with beach weddings on the brain after my sister-in-law's very un-cheesy beach wedding, I found some unique and fabulous finds that will ensure that your beach-themed wedding will stand out from the crowd!

1 Sprouille Designs :: 2 Pink Lily Press :: 3 Trixie and Beever :: 4 Landlocked Mermaids1 Beautiful Details by the Seashore :: 2 Sugar Robot :: 3 Otis B Jewelry :: 4 Paris XOX

Jennifer Garry is a writer (with a sparkly new blog!) who lives in Westchester, NY with her husband and two daughters. When she's not up to her ears in kiddie crafts and spit up, she's plotting her next move (children's book? event planning? jewelry empire?). Her obsessions include tea, chocolate, sarcasm and her daughter's giggle—any of which can be used to coax her from whatever project she's currently engrossed in.

Clario and I met in 2002 after my freshman year and his sophomore year of college while we both stayed on campus and worked for Cornell's Summer College Program. There was one dreadful part of that summer and it was the class I signed up for. Lucky that I did, because it brought me closer to my future husband!

Clario, being the patient and caring guy that he is, helped me code for my computer science class whenever I asked (so, pretty much every other night). While we were not that close of friends that first summer, I knew from the beginning that he was something special and I wanted him to be a part of my life.

We became better and better friends as the years went on. During my senior year (Clario was still at Cornell for his Masters and living across the street from me), I knew that we should be more than just friends. Of course, nothing happened then because that would've been too easy! After graduating in 2005, we both moved to NYC and only hung out about twice a year.

Everything changed at Clario's birthday party in 2008. I didn't think anything of it and planned to just drop by for an hour or less then leave. On my way out, Clario said bye to my friends but stopped me and said, "You're not going anywhere." Something told me to listen.

I'm glad I did because an hour or so later, Clario confessed that he liked me. I didn't believe him but was reassured by his best friend that Clario did indeed like me and had liked me since our days together at Summer College. We started dating about two weeks later.

After two and a half years of dating, Clario surprised me with a ridiculously romantic proposal at our alma mater. Even before saying yes I knew we would have to get married at the place we met almost a decade ago. I can't wait!

Clario's suit: DKNY
Clario's shoes: Rockport
Jenn's dresses: (blue) Ellen Tracy and (black) H&M
Jenn's Shoes: (black) Coach and (pink) Nine West

all photos courtesy of Ulysses Photography via Two Bright Lights

Happy SHOESday!

Can you tell I'm excited? No? Really? Because I'm SUPER-DUPER excited about some really fantastic shoes. But first...

Pop quiz: what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you see the color yellow? Canaries? Bananas? The sun?

When I think of yellow, I immediately think happy. Maybe I’m the eternal optimist, but I like to think that quite a few of us see the color yellow and get a smile on their faces. Yup. See? Right there. THAT smile. All because of a little old color. And the fantastic part? Yellow is back in a BIG way this wedding season!

Bright Shoes

I’m pretty sure that you’ve heard about the trending toward florescent, neon, and rainbow weddings this season. No? Then let me enlighten you. Bright colors are showing up all over the place, from bridesmaids to fascinators, cakes...you get the idea. So it got me thinking: why not shoes?

From the top left: Wanted Punk Ballet Flat, Poetic Licence Dazzling Pump,
Miss Me Jocelyn-20 Pump, BC Footwear Shipwreck Wedge Sandal

After it’s all said and done, you’re going to have to LOVE your shoes. I’m not saying you have to marry them, but you’ve got to at least like them enough to actually want pictures of them (not to mention pictures in them).

Take a Risk

If you’re looking longingly at these gorgeous shoes, and thinking something along the lines of: Icannotwearthatmymotherwouldkillme, then think about this: it’s your wedding day. Shouldn’t you get married in style? I think you should.

From top left: Mojo Moxy Poppy Platform, Nine West Zennia Pump,
Fiel Hayling Flat, 2 Lips Too Too Puff Flat

Don’t Be Afraid to Embellish

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, I absolutely adore the little things. A flower, or funky eye-catching doo-dad on the toe, a cool strap, or even some ribbon trim are all great accents and help to add interest to your shoes. Why is this important? Think about the HUNDREDS of pictures that you’ll be in.... What a great way to add a fun accent and call a little more attention to yourself.

Yes, as the bride you’ll garner plenty of attention, but a little more can’t hurt...right?

Brea Gunn is a blogger and writer living in Houston, TX with her husband and son. When she's not hyperventilating as a result of chasing her son, Smalls, you will find her immersed in any one of her writing projects. Her current obsessions include shoes of any kind, healthy eating, fashion, and sewing. According to her husband, she is very opinionated. Brea doesn't always agree with him.