Pre-Ceremony Beverages

Sounds great. I first thought Mimosa- but that and coffee--sounds like a sure hit. Maybe some flavored ( or spiked) coffees?? ( Kahula and coffee?)

It all sounds great, maybe add some Orange juice , tea and milk.

Serving refreshments as your guests arrive is a lovely idea and will be much appreciated. Coffee, tea and orange juice would be wonderful. Mimosas and/or champagne are a nice plus but plain sparkling water can also be fine. You could even consider some finger food. You can get as fancy as your taste and budget will allow.

.. and while you are thinking about special touches, don't forget some music as your guests arrive. I often play the harp for just this sort of situation. The music really helps create a festive atmosphere.

We had our string trio (three friends with music degrees) play while guests were arriving. Then they switched to the "Jaws" theme when it was time for everyone to sit down.

I love a mimosa as much as the next person, but don't think they're required. Coffee, tea, water and juice is plenty. Just don't serve a LOT of liquid, especially if it's a long ceremony, or you'll have guests squirming during your vows because they need to pee.

If you want to do something like mimosas you could put out champagne and a variety of fruit juices, and let people make their own champagne cocktails. Lots tropical juices - orange, papaya grapefruit, pomegranate, apricot nectar, etc. Those who just want juice can have juice, those who just want champagne can have champagne (although I would get relatively cheap champagne for this purpose), and those who want a fruity, light (and low alcohol) cocktail can make their own sunrise/sunset/Caribbean/whatever drink.

Sounds like great idea. I can't do it because we are getting married in a church. Dang...

Thanks for the tips everyone! Unfortunately we can't have food in the pavilion, so snacks are out. I love the "build you own mimosas" idea

We're definitly having cocktails served before the ceremony. FH and I are thinking we might even have the waiter interupt our ceremony to bring us both our favorite drink - Capt & Coke for Me and a Dry Martini w/ Olives for him. And yes I'm for real LOL

Sounds perfect to me also. It’s better to make it little light as you have lunch just after the wedding ceremony. I like the idea of FutureMrsHudges of adding some juice, milk and tea also. This way guests can choose what they want to take in that time of morning and you can add one more item to eat also.

Mmmm sounds great as well but yeah got to add stuff for the non drinkers not everyone likes to drink before noon although i cant understand why :-) We did mimosa while getting ready all the girls

Anything more than water will probably slow down the start of the ceremony. From the many weddings I've officiated, it seems people arrive just barely in time. And if they're coming from 40-45 minutes away, they may even be late.