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Over the years, there have been many cocktail receptions I have helped couples set up and execute. Some have been held outdoor and indoor, depending on the weather. Follow these simple guidelines for a successful event.
The wedding cocktail hour is between the ceremony and the dinner reception. Here are some tips and ideas to entertain your guests and allow them to relax and have fun. Example timeline:
- Wedding Ceremony 5:00pm-5:30pm
- Cocktail Hour 5:30pm 6:30pm
- Guests Seated for Dinner Reception 6:30pm
Here are some best practices to set up a cocktail reception for your guests that will help make the hour go smoothly. Find the best tips and ideas when planning a cocktail hour for adults and children.
When Should Cocktail Hour be at a Wedding?
Cocktail hour works best between the ceremony and reception. I have seen some weddings open the bar 30 minutes before the ceremony, which means guests are drinking during the ceremony. This option is tricky and can be an issue to get guests seated so the ceremony can start on time (this will usually delay the ceremony start time by 15-20 minutes).
Another option for the budget-minded couple is only having a cocktail reception after the ceremony. This means no formal reception, which will reduce costs tremendously. Again, this option works well for a guest count under 50.
Cocktail hour is a time to relax, mingle, and rejoice. Nervous energy washes away like magic during this time. Unfortunately, 45-60 minutes before the wedding ceremony begins can cause a lot of tension and stress for many couples, including the guests. I have overheard numerous arguments from guests attending weddings and blaming their significant other for their lateness as they hurried to the ceremony. My team and I used to refer to the hour before the ceremony as DEFCON 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.
What is Done During Cocktail Hour at a Wedding?
Many couples debate about inviting or not inviting kids to their wedding. When it comes to family members with children, my suggestion is to have a discussion prior and weigh the pros and cons. If not inviting kids to your wedding will cause family turmoil, it may not be worth the hassle.
Activities for Kids:
Maybe set up a kids’ area with a teepee if space will allow it. I have also set up a kids’ craft table with markers, paper, crayons, etc. Order pizza for the kids, and hire a nanny or babysitter to watch over the youngsters for the evening.
Adding activities like miniature golf, horseshoes, and cornhole is a great option. This allows young adults who are not of drinking age to enjoy the cocktail hour too.
Having a photo booth accessible for guests during the cocktail hour works out the best. I have seen the photo booth only set up in the reception area, and this doesn’t work as well nor utilized as much. Pick a spot that is easily viewable and can be used during both the cocktail hour and reception.
Photo booth vendors need to have an area that is either 8×8 or 10×10 to accommodate room for their gear and the prop table, which is usually an 8ft table. Plus, they don’t typically want an area in direct sunlight and will need to be near an outlet.
Can the Bride and Groom go to Cocktail Hour?
Yes, I have heard many couples tell me they regretted not joining their own cocktail hour. However, I have also had other couples take a majority of their pictures before the ceremony or extend the cocktail hour an additional 15-20 minutes longer to attend the tail-end and share a glass of bubbly with their guests.
Story Time:
In 2016 I worked with a couple who had met at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, a year and a half prior. They were both in line waiting to enter the Haunted Mansion when they met. Kim was with her 12-year-old daughter, and Chad was with his 11-year-old son. The line was long, and fortunately for them, the two hit it off.
Fast forward to the summer of 2016, and it was now Kim and Chad’s wedding day. So naturally, having the wedding ceremony at Disneyland was essential to them. So the couple had their small intimate fairytale ceremony at Disneyland with their two children by their sides.
Later they boarded the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA, for a cocktail reception along with 40 of their closest family and friends. It was a beautiful sunset on the ship’s bow overlooking the harbor. It was also essential to Kim and Chad that the Queen Mary was weaved into their special day. Both of their grandfathers (now deceased) served in WWII and were transported across the Atlantic on board the Queen Mary.
I tell you this story because Kim and Chad designed a perfect and sacred wedding for them. They didn’t follow traditional wedding rules and got married where they wanted and opted for an intimate cocktail reception instead of a formal dinner reception. Why? Because a casual celebration was more their style. The ship’s deck was sprinkled with high-top tables, comfy patio seating, an open bar, tray-passed and stationary hors d’oeuvres, a warm breeze, love, laughter, and the light sounds of piano jazz.
Three days later, the new family of four were honeymooning in Florida at Disney World.
Conclusion:
Cocktail hour at a wedding can be what you want it to be. It is a celebration on its own without a formal reception or an hour event between the ceremony and reception. Discuss as a couple what is most important to you and make it happen.
~ Happy planning and enjoy your wedding day steps ~