Cocktail Hour? Is there another name for it?

Our venue has 3 separate rooms we are using for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. So my situation is a little different.

Consider having the cocktail hour in another room than your reception. Have everything set up before the ceremony -- or as much of it as you can. Then as soon as the ceremony is over have someone fly to the reception/Cocktail hour site with any decor you want to use. If they (not you! You won't have time) can transfer the decorations rather discretely, then you might be ok, but you don't want people climbing over the guests trying to put up decorations. Decorating will depend on what the site currently has. But it should be nice and match the theme and feel of your wedding. You may want to do a wine, cheese, & fruit event. Or you could serve other cold or hot hor d'oeuvres. It's kind of up to you and your budget.

Good luck!

Our wedding is at a resort in FL overlooking the ocean and the cocktail hour is going to be held in a little cabana a few feet away from ceremony site. We will be serving drinks, citrus shrimp, mini ham biscuits, mini beef wellington, tomato soup shooter with mini grilled cheese and a fruit and cheese display.

The reception will be held in the resorts banquet facility.

Oh we don't drink so we wont have drinks so what else could i call it? the reception site is about 3 min away from the ceramony site. do you think ill have time to take things the decor over before guests arrive? or do you think i should still have the cocktail hour? the church has a hall that i could use for it it i need it.

@ crystal the caterer that i have only offers some kind on cream cheese and crackers thing. you see people down here really don't have cocktail hour and for the ones that do go with the more expensive caterer.

I would like more opinions please

I started out not having a cocktail hour either but we are going to do a small one. We are going to serve a signature drink (Pinnalce whip Vodka and OJ) and serve fruit trays. I know sound cheesy but trying to stay in budget. I'll probably go to Costco and see what they have. Not doing plates but tooth picks. It will be in the same area as the ceremony and reception outside. Guests will be standing around for that hour mingling as I don't want them to sit at the tables yet until we come back from pictures.

I'm not really sure what you are looking for, you say that since you don't drink there won't be any alcohol which really negates a cocktail hour. You need to have something to entertain your guests, usually that is alcohol and appetizers, not sure what else there is that you would be looking for.

It doesn't matter what you call it. A cocktail hour just gives your guests something to do while you take pictures.

You don't need to have alcohol, but you do need to have a variety of beverages: soft drinks, iced tea, coffee, punch, etc. I would also inform your guests if you are having an alchohol-free wedding as a courtesy to them.

As for food, I do not think that crackers and some cream cheese dip are adequate. See if your caterer can do a vegetable and fruit or a cheese display. Those are fairly common at cocktail hours. If not, that is something easy for you to pick up at a grocery store or Sam's Club/Costco.

Also, this posting hasn't really been on here that long, so it was kind of too early to post a second post, IMO. Usually, you just bump the initial post by adding a comment. That makes it higher on the recent discussions page. Just an FYI.

Well everyone will know that there wont be alcohol it is a given im marrying a pastor i was thinking veggie and fruit trays and some cheese and crackers.

@ glenn- the question is since my venue is about 3 min away for the ceramony do you think i will have enough time to move the decor and take pictures or should i have a cocktail hour. if i do have one then what else can i call it.

My cocktail "hour" will be from 4-6. I am thinking I will open the bar at 5. Snacks will be veggies/dip, cheese & crackers and fruit. Punch will be available from 4 o'clock on. It's really a chance for guests to meander in and mingle, find their table and use the photo booth.

Call it a family hour or a meet and greet or a mingling event. Brainstorm a bit.

Agree with Ana T. You can call it whatever you would like, it might be a good thing to inform your guests that it will be an alcohol free wedding though. Simple hors d'ouevres are usually adequate for a cocktail hour, such as fruit, cheese, and veggie displays, nuts/mints, stuffed mushrooms, quiche, etc...

Good luck with your wedding planning!

Why do you have to call it anything? Just say reception begins at 5, dinner will be served at 6.

Oh im going to have a photobooth but i was thinking of not having it after all because i dont think there will be room at the reception place. do you think if i have the photobooth during the cocktail hour would be enough? or would that be a waste of money for just one hour?

Thanks crystalS

Here's what our locations offers for cocktail hour - you can look at the different packages to see what they have for cocktail hour.

http://themillnj.com/weddings

At the weddings I've been to, usually there's at least one stationary display - say different cheeses, crackers and fruits/veggies

And some passed finger foods (or foods on toothpicks or in a shot glass) - the minimum I've seen is 4 different ones. (I have to admit, the ones with 4 unless there are plenty of other foods, have been a little light and left something to be desired.) As a guest, I'd say a minimum of 6 choices is appreciated.

Occassionally, there are also one or more stations - say a carving station, a pasta station, a seafood station, a mashed potato station, etc.

I'm sorry, but I honestly don't know the price breakdown since it's all included in our "package"!

You could also make it fun and have special virgin drinks during that hour depending on your budget!

Yeah virgin drinks wont be appreciated by my parents or future inlaws. they are the main pastors of the church and the location if any would be at church.

and since this is an after thought i don't really have a budget for a cocktail hour. im just trying to decide if its needed or if i would have enough time for everyone to take the decor over the next location.

Why would pastors not appreciate virgin drinks? Virgin = non-alcoholic.

Well what would you call the drinks? If it says virgin margarita ( sp) then that isn't respectful also its a culture thing as well. Let's just say I know my pastors and elder family best