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Super March 2018

Cocktail hour Conundrum

chelsey, on January 23, 2018 at 5:02 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 8

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So I'm having a little bit of a delimma. We are hosting an open bar for our reception. Cocktail hour is in another part of the building and then the ceremony space will be flipped for the reception. Since the bar will need to be moved from cocktail hour to reception space, my coordinator and the venue coordinator suggested that I only serve beer and wine for cocktail hour. Their reasoning is that the bar used for the reception can be set up with garnishes, liquor and mixers prior to guest arriving so that only the beer and wine will need to be moved from the cocjtail space and it would make a smoother transition.

My problem is how do I reiterate this to guests? Invitations have already been sent so I can't add it to the detail card. I could just have the bar tender inform them or put a notice on our website they can view when they rsvp, maybe a sign for the bar stating more options will be available for the reception? Do I need to tell them anything at all?

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8 Comments

Latest activity by starsinwaves, on January 23, 2018 at 8:58 PM

Dedicated October 2018
Jennifer · on January 23, 2018 at 5:10 PM
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We are doing my wedding the same way. It shouldn't be a problem. Maybe put a sign on the bar used at cocktail hour.
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Champion November 2054
Jacks · on January 23, 2018 at 5:15 PM
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I think you're fine. Definitely doesn't belong on the invitation. I would think of maybe adding champagne to cocktail hour?
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Devoted January 2016
COWS · on January 23, 2018 at 5:17 PM
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If you're paying for a full open bar for both Cocktail Hour and Reception, then you should absolutely have ALL of it available for both. It's not your problem that they would have to move the garnishes etc, that's their job. They should be able to handle this, and if not, then they should have servers taking drink orders for anything other than beer/wine.
If you're not paying for liquor for cocktail hour, then I think it's perfectly fine to only serve beer and wine for cocktail hour, and having the full bar for reception. You don't need to put out a sign or anything, guests will get the hint, or you can spread the news by work of mouth.
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Master October 2016
Mrs. Fall Bride · on January 23, 2018 at 5:24 PM
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No, if anything, cocktail hour is where you need the mixed drinks. At weddings I usually do cocktails for cocktail hour, then switch to wine for dinner. Can't they just make 2 setups? I feel like they're trying to gyp you of an hour's worth of hard liquor, and just giving you a lame excuse. I'd push back on that.
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Dedicated October 2018
Katie · on January 23, 2018 at 6:01 PM
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I would just make the options visible for cocktail hour. No big deal. Guests will be fine with only beer/wine for an hour. However, If you’re paying for a full open bar — I would make sure your venue isn’t charging you the full amount for that hour
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Super March 2018
chelsey · on January 23, 2018 at 6:22 PM
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We are paying for the bartender separate from the catering bill and we will be providing all the bottles of alcohol so we aren't paying pp/ph. They stated it would just be easier for the transition and make it easy for the bartender that night. I guess I'll get with my coordinator and see what she says. I'm just a little annoyed that we have been planning since July and they are just now bringing this up. I might just have a sign that states mixed drinks will be available in the reception space. It's all the little stupid things that annoy me the most about planning.
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Super August 2019
Jennifer · on January 23, 2018 at 8:28 PM
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If they are saying it's too much of a hassle maybe see if you can have 2 signature drinks. That way you have some mixed drinks but not enough for them to complain about moving.
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VIP November 2018
starsinwaves · on January 23, 2018 at 8:58 PM
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Also, assuming you’re doing an entrance, first dance, speeches, etc, the bar doesn’t need to be open at the start of the reception since guests should be in their seats paying attention, not up at the bar. So between the time it takes for everyone to move into another room and find their seats, and for the aforementioned scheduled things, they should be able to move the bar. I don’t think you should have just wine and beer for cocktail hour (beer before liquor, never been sicker).
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