Pre-ceremony drinks?

We really want to if we can afford it! I know we are going to have an infused water station, but we'd like to offer a glass of champagne too maybe before the ceremony!

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Ohhh infused water is a great idea!!

It's popular in my area - DC.

We have champagne and water with flowers in the ice cubes.

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Yeah! Our caterer offers it for free. So we are for sure doing that, but we'd like to offer an alcoholic beverage and do a toast during the ceremony if we can!

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Love the flowers in the ice cubes idea!! What flowers are you putting in there?

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We're about to select our caterer so I'll make sure to ask if they do this!

What about a glass of champagne upon arrival to the ceremony? The only hinderance I could see, is the glass being consumed prior to actual toasting part in the ceremony.

I went to a wedding last year that had the bar open before the ceremony. We were all outside standing around chatting with drinks in hand and then there was a separate cocktail hour after the ceremony. We hope to be able to allow our guests at least one drink before/during the ceremony.

I’ve seen pre-ceremony champagne before, but not a full bar. I’m considering adding something alchoholic (champagne or sangria), but right now the current plan with the caterer is just to have water/lemonade/tea on offer. I always enjoy the champagne touch though.

We did a lovely hot tea and infused water bar area by the ceremony seating...nobody used it. But most of our 15 guests hit the bar on their own for a drink. Totally fine but my dad has diabetes, didn't eat much lunch, then had a drink or two before our ceremony and almost passed out (OJ quickly revived him but it was a little scary during family pics). People also left our wedding earlier than we thought because they were tired but I think also because they started drinking at 3ish!

Anyhoo...I highly recommend having a cocktail hour AFTER the ceremony but wouldn't recommend alcohol BEFORE. A nice infused water station would be much appreciated and if visible in the ceremony area then it can lure guests over and inspire them to take their seats.

We are doing a precocktail but 20 minutes before the ceremony starts 15 mins to get a drink then 5 to find their seats, we are looking to just have one or 2 options then infused water/tea as well then a cocktail hour after the ceremony

I don’t think it’s necessarily common but it’s a lovely idea if you can swing it. I’ve been to one wedding that had pre-ceremony champagne and mimosas and some light passes apps and it was a really nice surprise. It also helps for anyone who may be chronically late to everything (like my family) so they only missed that and not the entire ceremony.

We are doing a simple pre ceremoy offering of lemonade and iced tea and bottled and and citrus infused water. It's nice for the guests to have something without adding too much to the bar tab.

I've been to a wedding where they had beer/wine and a cheese & cracker plate out before the ceremony and it was awesome! I wish I could do this but the Church won't allow it.

I would also add water or soda/something non alcoholic to the pre-ceremony menu for those that do not drink.

We are doing a champagne greeting. When guests arrive there will be a crudite display, champagne and sparkling cider. My family is notoriously late so I'm hoping this will get the late ones in earlier than usual. Before anyone jumps down my throat, the invitation lists the champagne greeting time as well as the ceremony start time.