Your Wedding Cocktail Hour Questions Answered!

It’s all about the cocktail hour on the J&A Blog today! What it is, how to use it, and a fun little gift at the end!

Cocktail Hour, as defined by Amber:

“A time after the wedding ceremony where guests enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks before entering the formal reception area for a seated meal”

Where should I have my cocktail hour?

You’ll want to have your cocktail hour in a space separate from your formal reception area. You’ll find the reasons for this as you continue to read! It can be outside beneath a tent, in a smaller room at your venue (not everyone needs a place to sit), or just outside the main reception area. Talk to your venue about their options for a cocktail hour!

What do I need to serve at a cocktail hour?

Cocktail hours traditionally include pre-dinner alcoholic beverages for your guests, but brides are coming up with all kinds of interpretations of their own!

Many cocktail hours include a bar, or at least some sort of wine and beer selection. It’s definitely not mandatory, though. A Piper and Leaf tea bar, a lemonade stand, Hindsight Coffee Truck, or even just the good old southern iced water/sweet tea/coffee drink station!

The one thing that I personally think is essential is to make sure that your guests have something to eat. I don’t know about you, but I’m always happier (and much more patient!) when my stomach isn’t growling. It doesn’t have to be fancy. You don’t need to provide a full meal (that’s coming later at the reception), but just have something to satiate those “hangry” tendencies that some of us fall prey to. Ask your caterer about cocktail hour options and recommendations!

How do I know if I need a cocktail hour at my reception?

If you fall into one of the following categories, we definitely recommend providing a cocktail hour for your guests!

1. You’re not doing a First Look and have to do most of the pictures after the ceremony. (Tip: think all family pictures, bride and groom formals, plus the full bridal party. Plan for about 1.5 hours for all these, but ask your photographers how much time they need for these images!)
2. If your ceremony and reception are at different locations. You worked really hard on the reception decor and want your photographers to have a chance to photograph all the reception details before your guests enter. Once guests start dropping their purses and drinks on the tables, the epic pull-back images of the details of your entire reception vision are much more difficult to get.
3. You’d like some informal time to mingle with your guests so you can enjoy plenty of time on the dance floor once the reception starts.
4. You’d like to add an extra touch of class and elegance to the wedding experience you’re providing for your guests.

 

What will my guests do?

This is a great time for your guests to catch up with each other – especially out of town family and friends! It’s also a great time to open up some yard games or board games as an option for those who like to be doing something while they socialize.

A free gift just for you!

We’re sharing a FREE copy of our latest eBook with our blog readers! We’ve compiled a list of 10 ways to keep your guests entertained at the reception. You can use this for your cocktail hour or for the main reception! Sign up to grab your free copy here!

*hugs*

Amber

P.S. Our friends at TheKnot.com have some great advice about this topic on their Ultimate Wedding Cocktail Hour Guide. Definitely check it out if you’re planning one of your own!

If you like this post, you might also like our tips on Scheduling Sunset Portraits and the Father/Daughter First Look!