Cocktail Hour??

Cocktail hour is typically held at the same place as the reception. The general rule is 3-4 appetizer pieces per person during this time. I think it's fine to have a pre-made cocktail and non-alcholic drinks during this time. You might want guests to know the bar will be open during the reception (maybe post on wedding website).

View Quoted Comment Thank you so much, I've been driving myself crazy over it lol. And yes, I've got everything detailed on our website, especially under the FAQ section...

We got married at a hotel and the ceremony was in the lobby, cocktail hour was in what they referred to as a pre-function area and the reception was held in the ballroom. The pre-function area was just outside the ballroom and was an area guests go mingle, eat and drink, sign the guest book and grab their escort card. The doors for the ballroom opened about 10-15 minutes before we were introduced into the reception to give guests time to get to their seats. We had three passed hor'dourves during cocktail hour, soda, water, lemonade, alcohol and a special signature drink that was only served during cocktail hour.

View Quoted Comment Yea we are having a signature drink also and that's what I was thinking was to have the signature drink put out for cocktail hour and if there is any left move it to the reception bar. We are getting married at a lodge (like a rustic hotel) and the ceremony is going to be outside on their terrace under a Pergola and then we have a room that we will be using to get ready that is right across from the room where the reception is and I was thinking of using that for the cocktail hour as well because I figure guest will be in and out mingling anyway

View Quoted Comment Sounds like a good idea to me. I know when we were venue looking a lot of them had the cocktail hour in a separate area from the reception but not all of them. Drink wise we didn't really have much say as our venue handled all of that. We just picked a drink package and signature drink and they handled everything else.

View Quoted Comment Yea, our venue handles the catering and drinks but they have a fair amount of options and let us have a good amount of say so.

So I recently attended a wedding where they had the cocktail hour inside the venue (it was basically a huge brick building where almost the whole indoor area was a banquet hall with a stage and dance floor) and the ceremony was outside in the back of the building with a creek and bridge.


The reception/dinner area was the same area for the cocktail hour. While it worked out fine generally-speaking, there was no menu cards or any attendants helping us understand what happened next. There was a table in the center of the dining area which left guests scratching their heads if that was open for them to line up for. Same for the dinner rolls table full of plates, butter, and bread. Open bar for cocktail hour got people almost too boozed up to even dance later on after dinner, and some guests even interrupted speeches from the groom’s grandfather and father. It was kind of a mess.
I think it’s a good idea to have a few choices of appetizers floating around with someone to serve them, if that’s a part of the services via your venue. It helps keep the guests occupied and you can go do your photos elsewhere.

I think it makes sense to have cocktail hour in a separate space that logically flows to the reception space. Our venue was 2 floors and the upper floor (used for cocktail hour) overlooked the lower floor (used for the reception). Once it was time for guests to start taking their seats the DJ announced that guests should start making their way downstairs for the reception to begin. The two spaces ensures that the reception decorations don't get messed with before you guys get there and the staff has some time if they still need to set up or flip anything.

Typically the cocktail hour kicks off the reception so it’s held at the same place as the reception. You can serve anything as long as you have heavy appetizers to counter the lacy.

Yes, usually the cocktail hour is at the reception space. Ask your venue how they usually do it, they’ll have ideas!

Hello:


Our cocktail hour will be at the same place as our reception. We will be having small hors d’oeuvres and just water and lemonade. I don’t want the guest getting to drunk before the reception 😂