Soiree gives newlyweds, friends chance to let hair down

By Donna Freydkin,, USA TODAY

Where there's a will, there's a soiree.

Or in the case of Prince William and his bride, Kate, there's two.

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  By John Stillwell, AP

  
  

  Kate wore a strapless number with diamante detailing around the waist, also by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

By John Stillwell, AP

Kate wore a strapless number with diamante detailing around the waist, also by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

After saying their "I wills," puckering up for public smooches and going for an impromptu drive, the couple now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended their second wedding reception of the day, this time for 300 of their nearest and dearest.

The evening dinner and dance followed the first wedding reception, which was hosted by Queen Elizabeth for 650 guests and held at Buckingham Palace directly after the nuptials.

Kate changed into another white frock, this time a strapless number with diamante detailing around the waist, also by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, for the bash at the palace. Her husband wore a tuxedo, as did her father-in-law. And Kate's sister, Pippa, donned an emerald green gown by British fashion house Temperley London.

Royals including Princess Anne and her daughter, Zara Phillips, were seen arriving to the fete.

Prince Charles was host of the second party at the palace, and Prince Harry, William's younger brother and best man, was to give a toast. Queen Elizabeth did not attend.

The reason for the second celebration?

"William and Kate can't invite everyone to everything. There's too many people," says Andrea Correale of Elegant Affairs, who has planned parties for Mariah Carey, P. Diddy and Russell Simmons. "This is a let-your-hair-down reception for close friends and family."

Even in non-royal circles, multiple receptions are becoming more common, says party planner Lisa Vorce, who plans events for Kobe Bryant and the Clooney family. In most cases, the first gathering is more formal, while the second one is where guests hang out and kick back.

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