Anyone opt out of doing cocktail hour?

Skipping cocktail hour and going straight into the reception is fine, but will you do all of your photos before the ceremony?

We did first look but still had cocktail hour. We snapped a few family photos then, gave guests a chance to mingle, nibble & grab a drink (or two) while we slipped out and changed into our reception outfits.

As a guest, I love cocktail hour before sitting for a meal (unless brunch, which is typically buffet or stations). After the ceremony I like the chance to look around, enjoy a chat with people, etc. It might feel stiff to go right from the ceremony to dinner. Even 30 minutes to grab a drink & mingle would be nice.

They aren't really "traditional" in any long-term sense. And they certainly aren't required. But they have become customary as a nice way to make sure guests are taken care of while waiting for formal pictures to be completed. I'm old enough to remember before cocktail hours at weddings were the norm, and everyone just stood around, hungry and thirsty, while the picture taking went on seemingly forever.

Cocktail hours are a nice solution to a problem. But the newer idea of first looks that enable all/most formal portraits to be taken care of before the ceremony is also really nice. Whatever keeps guests waiting with nothing planned for them to do the least amount of time is the best way to go.

My bestfriend opted out of it for her wedding but it was because they did all their photos beforehand so when the ceremony ended they wen't straight into the reception and dinner and partying. We are doing cocktail hour but thats so we can give our guests something to do while we take our photos and what not. If we were planning on doing photos before everything we would have opted out. We have an open bar regardless though so it won't be like designated drinks it will just be an open bar and mingle time while we do photos

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I plan on doing half of my photos before the ceremony and the other half after; I'm Catholic so we're doing a traditional Catholic wedding (so my fiance's first look will be when I walk down the aisle) and after mass we'll take our photos together and with family.

View Quoted Comment So what will your guests do while you take photos if you skip cocktail hour?

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Yes that was my concern because we will be taken photos after the ceremony and I don't want to leave my guests with nothing to do in the meantime. Although everyone will have to travel from the church to the reception venue.

We are having "family style" food service for our reception. So when the guests arrive at the banquet hall they will mingle for about 20 minutes in the foyer before being invited into the ballroom. The appetizers/1st round of food will already be on each table with the wine and hard alcohol. We will not have a separate cocktail hour because it would have be extra on top of the 20 appetizers on the table and the wine and alcohol we already provided.

We also will have done 3 hours of photos before the ceremony so we won't be taking too many photos after.

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Exactly that's why I through this question out there. We'll need to have some time to take photos and guests will have to drive to our reception venue with is held inside one of our casino's (I'm from Nevada). Someone mentioned because it's in a casino guests can be entertained before the ceremony without a cocktail hour but I'm not certain.

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I believe the point of the cocktail hour is for guests to have smthing to do while you are taing those photos after Mass. We are doing the same thing as you as far as ceremony and we are having a cocktail hour for that reason!

I did a snack break. It wasn't intended to be a cocktail hour but people didn't want to leave it ahah so it became an hour instead of a 30 minute break.

View Quoted Comment If you’re taking time for photos, you need to provide refreshments and entertainment for your guests, not just leave them to fend for themselves. This just sounds like an improper way to save money.

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I'm a little bit in the same boat as we'll take half of the pictures before the ceremony but will have to take more after; I will have my photographer with me the entire day morning until night so that won't be an issue.

I do like your idea of a family style service with appetizers. Has anyone done something like a candy bar or cookies and milk bar as an option prior to the reception or is that more of a reception thing?

I agree with someone else above that cocktail hour and dancing are my favorite parts of a wedding. Getting to mingle and talk with people when you first get there is better than being seated right away with just a few people. Because you will be doing photos it gives guest something to do and time to meet others. Just my opinion. If it’s about keeping costs down opt for just beer and wine and no liquor and light apps.

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Oh gosh no! Don't let guest roam about the casino! You might lose 'em. Cocktail hour is a great way to gather the masses back up and keep them in a good spot to usher them into the reception when ready.

Thanks ladies. It's done then that a cocktail hour must be provided! Even though I'm having a traditional wedding; I do like to keep things a bit nontraditional. Any fun ideas besides just having appetizers passed around?

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You'll need one, even if you only take 15-30 minutes for photos. Guests may all arrive at different times (within 15 minutes of each other I'm guessing). So have them walk into cocktail hour.

You can also put your guestbook table in the cocktail area so they can sign while mingling.

I'm doing a nacho bar instead of a cocktail hour. Because let's be honest, most people are hungry anyway! It gathers everyone up and lets them eat while we wrap up photos. You could do something like wings too. Informal, light, delicious.

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I love the nacho bar! I love the idea of doing something fun for my guests. Maybe a popcorn bar or a donut bar; something that will be a hit for everyone.

We are doing one, since we aren't doing a first look & need to take pictures. If you do pictures before, you can totally skip it!