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Beginner July 2022

Cocktail hour space

Natty, on April 28, 2021 at 3:39 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 9

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Me and FH just booked our venue which has more space than we know what to do with!

If the weather turns out to be perfect, we will be using the outdoor garden for the ceremony, which would leave the Plan B Ceremony Space: The Atrium (on the second floor) unused. The first floor has the main cocktail room and the ballroom reception. But I still LOVE the Atrium and would want my guests to see it. Do you think it would be we weird and too spacious to have a two-level cocktail room? Any ideas on how else I could use the extra space?

I also thought about turning the Atrium into the cocktail space and the main cocktail space as a lounge room, but it would require A LOT of furniture rental because of how large the space is.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

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9 Comments

Latest activity by JA, on April 28, 2021 at 6:13 PM

Super March 2022
JA · on April 28, 2021 at 4:05 PM
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So curious to see the venue! do you have pictures? sounds lovely! I feel like 2 floors for cocktail is a bit much unless you have a ton of guests and just 1 room would be crowded. do you feel the need to show off the cocktail/lounge room? Maybe just omit that one?
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Champion December 2022
Michelle · on April 28, 2021 at 4:10 PM
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I read somewhere about someone having 2 floors for the cocktail hour. I believe it was in a past thread here under a search for food stations and they had 3 stations up and 3 on the main level and said it worked great. However if any guests have mobility issues including bad knees they will stick to the main floor.
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Beginner July 2022
Natty · on April 28, 2021 at 4:13 PM
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Above is the atrium (plan b for ceremony)
Below is the cocktail space which has an attached indoor/outdoor garden room. There even more space behind where the picture was taken.

Below is the ceremony and ballroom just to show

Hi Dawn! Even the cocktail room is great! It’s hard to want to omit one. See pictures above
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Beginner July 2022
Natty · on April 28, 2021 at 4:16 PM
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Oh this sounds like an idea! They do have an elevator that can go between the two floors. Do recall if they mentioned if the passed Hors-d'Oeuvres worked well? I'll have to search that posting
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Master July 2019
Hannah · on April 28, 2021 at 4:19 PM
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Wow, that is a gorgeous venue! Honestly, from the pictures you posted, the atrium has the least wow factor to me. That outdoor garden room is 😍. I would just leave the set-up as is, with the outdoor ceremony (atrium as Plan B), cocktail room, and ballroom as the primary function spaces. Maybe you can use the atrium to take some bridal party/family photos during cocktail hour?
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Champion December 2022
Michelle · on April 28, 2021 at 4:30 PM
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From what I recall they worked with the caterer for logistics and everything played out fine with passed appetizers.
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VIP May 2022
Ava · on April 28, 2021 at 4:53 PM
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After looking at the pictures, I have to agree with PP- the atrium definitely has the least wow factor. I would leave your plan exactly as it is, with the atrium being a back-up inclement weather plan. I think trying to make your cocktail hour 2 levels going to be confusing and a lot of work. Plus, cocktail hour is for people to mingle. Spreading it out to two levels will divide your guests and make it harder to mingle.
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Devoted October 2021
Ariel · on April 28, 2021 at 5:07 PM
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I agree that the atrium is beautiful. Could you do the cocktail in the atrium and use the cocktail space for guest to gather before the ceremony? If it’s an outdoor wedding and it’s hot it might be nice to have an air conditioned place for people to gather pre-ceremony. You could have water and lemonade or ice tea to welcome guest. You could also have your guest book (if you’re having one) in the area!
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Super March 2022
JA · on April 28, 2021 at 6:13 PM
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Beautiful! To me, the Atrium is the least impressive and fun space, I think leaving it as your plan B for the ceremony is a great choice!
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