What is a Day Two wedding?
A wedding day two is a pillar of Irish weddings. So what is a ‘Wedding Day Two’? A wedding day two is a more casual gathering of your wedding guests and extended family, friends or colleagues who may not have attended the wedding day.
Rather than another formal event, a Day Two is all about food, conversation, music, and a few drinks, with guests free to drop in and out as they please.
Many brides & grooms use their wedding day two to catch up with the wedding party as wedding days can be busy, which leaves only a few minutes with each guest for catch up’s & thank you’s.
At Durty Nelly’s, we’ve hosted Day Two celebrations for couples from Ireland and abroad for years so put together this guide to planning your wedding day two with some insights from some of our industry experts
How do you run a Day Two wedding?
The best Day Two weddings are simple by design. A clear start time helps set expectations, but there’s no need for a fixed end time. Our wedding, events and sales manager, Sharon Collins who has worked in the industry for over thirty-five years advises “Guests can arrive when it suits them, stay for a drink or two, or settle in for the afternoon. That flexibility is what keeps the day feeling relaxed.
Unlike the wedding day itself, there’s no need for an itinerary. No speeches, no set schedule, no pressure to be anywhere at a certain time. A Day Two works best when it’s allowed to unfold naturally.
Letting guests come and go as they please is key. Some will drop in early for food and a catch up, others might arrive later for music and drinks. That flow creates an easy atmosphere and takes the pressure off both the couple and their guests.
Above all, focus on atmosphere rather than structure. A welcoming setting, comfortable seating, good food, background music, and a warm buzz in the room will do far more than any formal planning. When the space feels right, everything else tends to fall into place.”
How far in advance do you need to plan a Day Two?
According to Colm Shearman, General Manager at Durty Nelly’s, a Day Two doesn’t need the same long lead time as the wedding itself, but it’s still worth thinking about dates early if you have a particular venue in mind.
“Day Twos are more flexible by nature, but if you know you want to host it somewhere specific, it’s always a good idea to check availability and get it booked,” Colm explains. “You don’t need to plan it years in advance, but leaving it too late can limit your options, especially during busy wedding seasons.”
Many couples finalise the finer details closer to the wedding date, once guest numbers are clearer and they have a better sense of who will still be around the following day. That’s often when decisions around food, music, and timings fall into place.
Keeping the setup simple allows for that flexibility. Without the pressure of a full schedule, couples can adapt plans as needed and avoid unnecessary stress. As Colm puts it, “The Day Two works best when it feels easy for the couple and easy for their guests. Once the space is sorted, everything else tends to come together naturally.”
Do guests expect food on Day Two?
Food is usually expected on a Day Two, but it doesn’t need to be anything formal. According to Paul, Restaurant Manager at Durty Nelly’s, the key is keeping things relaxed and comfortable rather than trying to recreate a sit down wedding meal.
“Most couples opt for buffet style food, a BBQ, or finger food,” Paul says. “That’s what guests tend to expect on a Day Two. It suits the pace of the day and works well with people coming and going.”
Casual options allow guests to eat when it suits them, without having to sit down at a set time or commit to a full meal. It keeps the atmosphere easy and avoids the pressure of organising another structured dining experience.
At Durty Nelly’s, popular Day Two food options include BBQs, finger food, and buffet style setups, but flexibility is always part of the conversation. “If a couple has something specific in mind, like a sit down meal, we’re happy to talk it through,” Paul adds. “The most important thing is that it fits the feel of the day.”
Ultimately, food on a Day Two is about keeping guests comfortable and well looked after, not about hosting another formal event. Keeping it informal helps maintain the relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes Day Two celebrations so enjoyable.
Do guests expect music?
Music can play a big role in shaping the atmosphere of a Day Two, and there’s no single right approach. According to Sharon, Wedding, Sales and Events Manager at Durty Nelly’s, couples tend to choose music that suits the flow of the day rather than a set performance schedule.
“In the past, we’ve seen couples bring in everything from trad sessions and solo guitarists to harpists and even opera singers,” Sharon says. “It really comes down to the kind of atmosphere the couple wants to create.”
Live trad sessions are a popular choice, especially in a pub setting, but many couples opt for a single musician or background style performance that allows guests to chat and move around comfortably. Music tends to come and go naturally throughout the day, just like the guests themselves.
“We’ve built up a list of musicians who’ve played here before and received great feedback from couples and their guests,” Sharon adds. “We’re always happy to share recommendations or help couples find something that fits their style.”
How many people usually attend a Day Two?
From our experience hosting Day Two weddings at Durty Nelly’s, guest numbers are naturally smaller than the main wedding day. Most Day Twos tend to be made up of close friends, immediate family, and guests who are staying nearby or travelling home later.
Sharon, Wedding, Sales and Events Manager at Durty Nelly’s, notes that numbers are rarely fixed. “What we see most often is people dropping in and out over the course of the day,” she says. “Some guests come early for food, others arrive later for a drink or music, and many only stay for a short while.”
That flow is something couples often appreciate. Rather than managing a full guest list or worrying about headcounts, the day unfolds naturally, which takes a lot of pressure off and helps keep the atmosphere comfortable and enjoyable.
What time should a Day Two start?
Looking back at what’s worked best for past Day Two celebrations, start times tend to depend on where guests are staying.
“For weddings where a lot of guests are staying in hotels, starting a little later in the afternoon often works better,” Sharon explains. “Checkout is usually around midday, so giving people time to pack up, load the car, and take a breather makes the day much more enjoyable.”
In those cases, a 2pm or 3pm start allows guests to arrive without feeling rushed and helps the atmosphere settle in naturally.
If most guests are local or already based nearby, couples sometimes choose to start later again, particularly if they’re hoping for a livelier, more evening focused celebration. “We’ve seen Day Twos that begin later in the day and carry into the evening work really well when the majority of guests aren’t travelling far,” Sharon adds.
From our experience, the best start time is one that suits your guest list. Allowing people the space to travel, check out, and arrive comfortably helps the day flow better and sets the tone for a relaxed and enjoyable celebration.
Why pubs work so well for Day Two weddings
From our experience hosting Day Two weddings at Durty Nelly’s, pubs tend to suit the second day perfectly. There’s an ease to the setting that people respond to straight away. Guests arrive knowing there’s no pressure to stay for a set time, no formal structure, and no expectations beyond enjoying themselves.
“People relax the moment they walk into a pub,” says Colm Shearman, General Manager at Durty Nelly’s. “They’re comfortable straight away, and that sets the tone for the whole day.”
A pub setting also makes things simple. Easy access, familiar surroundings, and a natural flow mean guests can drop in for a drink, stay for food or music, and head on when it suits them. That flexibility is one of the biggest reasons pubs work so well for Day Two celebrations.
“There’s something about a traditional Irish pub that just works,” Colm adds. “It feels sociable without being overwhelming, and people don’t feel like they’re committing to another big event.”
For many couples, that atmosphere is exactly what they want after the formality of the wedding day.
If you’re planning a wedding in Clare and are considering a relaxed Day Two celebration, you can find more information on our wedding options here or view our wedding gallery.
If you’d like to talk things through or have any questions, Sharon Collins, our Wedding, Sales and Events Manager, is always happy to help. You can reach Sharon at scollins@durtynellys.ie or by phone on +353 (0) 61 364 861.
