In short: The after-wedding party is usually an event of 20-60 guests that begins at noon or early afternoon, immediately after the ceremony at the Civil Registry Office has ended. The most common format in Arad: a 4-5 hour festive meal, with a served menu, cake and a single official moment — the witnesses' toast.
Why are more and more couples choosing this format?
The civil wedding followed by a small meal has become a choice in itself, not just an intermediate step towards the wedding. The reasons, in the order in which couples who seek us hear them:
- The cost. A 40-person event costs a fraction of a 200-person wedding.
- Control. You are with the people you chose, not your extended family list.
- Organization time. It can be put together in 4-6 weeks, compared to 8-12 months for a wedding.
- The option to postpone the wedding. Many couples have a small civil wedding now and a religious wedding in a year or two.
Today's program
| Hour | time | To remember |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 | Civil Registry Ceremony | It takes 15-20 minutes; guests arrive 20 minutes before |
| 11:30 | Group photos | In front of the building or in a nearby park |
| 12:30 | Arrival at the location, aperitif, champagne | Allocate realistic travel time, plus 15 minutes buffer |
| 13:30 | First course | |
| 14:15 | Toast of the witnesses and parents | Maximum two speeches |
| 15:00 | Main course | |
| 16:30 | cake | |
| 17:00-19:00 | Music, photos, relaxed ending | No dance floor required |
How the menu changes for a wedding
At a lunch event with 40 guests, the menu is built differently:
- Smaller portions, more varieties. People eat less at lunch than at a party that lasts until the morning.
- No late night snack. There is no one to eat it.
- Drink for consumption instead of a fixed package — at a day event, consumption is significantly lower.
- A good dessert matters more than a big cake. A 40-serving cake is enough; the rest of the budget goes towards quality.
Who are the guests?
Typical structure for 30-50 people: parents of both bride and groom, witnesses with their families, brothers and sisters, grandparents, plus 8-15 close friends. Work colleagues, as a rule, do not fit into this format — and this is easy to communicate, precisely because the format is explicitly restricted.
What you shouldn't miss, even if the event is small
- A photographer. Even for two hours. It's your wedding day, no matter the format.
- A coherent table arrangement. With 40 guests, the entire table is visible in every photo.
- An official moment. Be it the toast or the cake cutting. Without it, the event feels like an ordinary lunch.
- Well chosen background music. You don't need a DJ, but you do need a prepared set list and a decent speaker.
Location: what matters in this format
The main criterion is proportion: a 200-seat room with 35 guests looks empty. Look for a space that can be delimited or has a capacity close to your group. Other useful elements:
- Reasonable distance from the Civil Registry Office — under 25 minutes
- Outdoor space for photos, especially if the event is during the day
- Parking, because guests generally come each with their own car
- Schedule flexibility: a daytime event should not be billed as an evening event
to La Cuscrii Guesthouse, the covered terrace can be arranged for groups of 20 people, with a served menu and access to the courtyard with green spaces for photos. See also page dedicated to civil weddings.
If you are planning your wedding later
A practical tip: don't replicate everything you want to do at your wedding at your civil wedding. If you use the same dress, the same location, and the same guests now, your wedding in two years will feel like a rehearsal. Keep clear differences between the two events — for example, the civil wedding in a small lunch format, the wedding in an evening format, with a party.
Frequently asked questions
How many guests are invited to the party after the civil wedding?
Most commonly between 20 and 60 people: parents, witnesses, siblings, grandparents, and a small group of close friends.
How long does the ceremony at the Civil Registry Office last?
Generally 15-20 minutes. Guests should arrive about 20 minutes before, and group photos are taken immediately after, upon exiting.
Is it mandatory to have a party after a civil wedding?
No. Many couples choose to have a meal with just their immediate family. The format is freely determined, and a festive meal lasting several hours is the most common option in Arad.
Can the civil marriage and the wedding be held on different days?
Yes, and it's an increasingly common practice. Many couples have their civil wedding with a small table and their religious wedding a year or two later.
Where can a meal be organized after a civil wedding in Arad?
La Cuscrii Guesthouse, on Calea Bodrogului no. 20, organizes festive meals for 20 people on the covered terrace, with a served menu and outdoor space for photos.
Have you set the date at the registry office?
We reserve your festive table for the same day, with a lunch menu and space for photos.
Request a personalized offer: 0740 217 915
or write to us at rezervari@pensiune-arad.ro
Where can you find us?
La Cuscrii Guesthouse — Arad
Calea Bodrogului no. 20, Arad · 200 m from the exit of the A1 highway and Arad International Airport (ARW)
Events: 0740 217 915 · Accommodation: 0771 449 599
Covered terrace for up to 100 guests · own restaurant · 8 rooms (20 beds) · free private parking, video surveillance · children's playground · horse-drawn carriages.
