Wedding Cocktail Hour
From getting engaged to saying your “I Dos,” it’s time to celebrate! YAY! Wedding cocktail hours are so much fun! Who doesn’t love food, drinks, pictures, and a good time all at the same time?
Although you don’t need a cocktail hour, it is strongly recommended by many people in the wedding industry. It gives time for the wedding party to take pictures. The bride and groom can go around and say thank you to all their guests. But most importantly, it gives time for your vendors and team to set up for the reception.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly wedding, you can just have light music playing in the background, along with some water for your guests. You don’t necessarily have to go all out for this one.
What is a cocktail hour?
By definition, a cocktail hour is the period of time between the ceremony and reception. It’s basically the kickoff to your reception!
Cocktail hour involves drinks, food, and light music. Your music choice should be fun and upbeat but not the main event. It’s a great time for people to mingle, take pictures, and hang out.
I’d set up your photo booth during the cocktail hour. Your guests will want to post pictures to their Instagram, Snapchat, and maybe even do a TikTok.
A trend I’ve seen for cocktail hours is mini hors d’oeuvres or cocktails with the name of the wedding couple’s pet or children. Super cute and fun!
Cocktail Hour Length
Is there a specific time for cocktail hour? How long does cocktail hour last? There is no specific length of time for the cocktail hour, but generally speaking, it lasts about 60 minutes – hence, cocktail “hour.”
However, if the reception is in the same place as your ceremony, the turnaround time is around 90-120 minutes. If that’s the case, I’d strongly suggest talking to the venue coordinator. Ask what you could do to entertain your guests. People get antsy, you know? Set up games and activities for them to do.
Cocktail Hour Food and Drinks
What does a cocktail hour involve? Food, drinks, & fun, duh!
First tip: Make sure that you have a few high-top tables for guests to set their food and drinks and chairs for your elderly guests. Trust me, no one wants to stand for the full 60 minutes.
Okay, now for food. Depending on what time your reception is, you might decide to have a dinner reception. In that case, go with light appetizers or mini hors d’oeuvres – something to hold up the hangry people.
Let’s get down to the serious stuff… alcohol! If you’re like me, you’ve always dreamt of having a full open bar at your wedding. But, that is ridiculously expensive. So be smart about alcohol choices.
Generally speaking, beer and wine are less expensive compared to hard liquor.
Signature drinks are such a beautiful element to have for the cocktail hour. If you have a pet or child, name a cocktail or mixer after them! For example, my dog’s name is Pixie and I’d make a signature drink named “Pixie Dust” in a fruity flavor.
Regardless of whether or not you drink, you know your guests the best! If the majority of your guests don’t drink, don’t have alcohol. Instead offer non-alcoholic cocktails. Always offer water and soda.
Cocktail Hour Incorporations
I love cocktail hour because there are so many creative things you can do! Incorporate your wedding theme in your cocktail hour too.
One thing you can do is hire a cartoonist and have them draw pictures of your guests. Or get a bounce house for the younger kids. Maybe a magician to entertain your guests. Side note, I once had a magician at a corporate Christmas party and all the adults loved it. Point is, the choices are endless!
Like I mentioned before, set up your photo booth here and have a few decor moments. People love a “picture perfect” area. Besides, let everyone take their photos before they get drunk and sweaty. I mean, those pictures will be amazing and hilarious, too.
Place the guest book near where people are taking pictures too. Normally, guest books are signed at the beginning of the ceremony but you know how it goes – uncle John runs late all the time and he probably didn’t get a chance to sign it. So leave it out for the people who didn’t have the time to at the beginning.
This is also a great time to place seating cards for the reception. Have someone announce that seating cards should be picked up 15 minutes before the cocktail hour is over. It’s the perfect way to transition everyone to the reception room!
Everyone loves good music so pick songs that fit your crowd. However, choose wisely. You don’t want to play songs during the cocktail hour that you plan on busting out dance moves to later in the night. It should be subtle yet upbeat. Throw in some Frank Sinatra, The Weeknd, or The Beatles. It’s all about creating the mood.
Don’t stress too much about your cocktail hour! Honestly, it should be the easiest part of the wedding planning process. At the end of the day, it’s about YOU. This is your wedding! So have fun, cry happy tears, eat, drink, and dance your booty off!
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