Pro and Cons for skipping a cocktail hour !

Guest may not like that or appreciate it. I went to a wedding without one (the bride and groom did not state that they were having one) so FH and I didn't eat really and we were cranky and hungry. Besides it gives you time to thank everyone for coming instead of doing it during the reception.. If you do decide not too def make it clear so people don't come hungry!

Pro for skipping= saves money

Con for skipping= Food amount, Benefits of cocktail hour is it gives your guests different food options, also depending on the time of your wedding people may be hungry immediately following the ceremony, also allows more time for guests to mingle.

My ceremony is on site and our cocktail hour comes included with our venue, It's personal choice but I would not skip it, If cost is an issue maybe not offer an "elaborate" cocktail hour.

Our reception is at the same resort as the wedding. We are having a cocktail hour, even though it's a morning wedding!

That way guests can mingle, grab something small while we are getting some pictures.

Like the previous poster said itwas included with the reception.

We are not doing one because the food and bar will be available as soon as guests arrive at the reception and the church does not allow alcohol on the property

We're doing a cocktail hour so we can take our time taking pictures after the ceremony and we don't have to worry that our guests are just sat there waiting for us. you don't want your guests to sit there bored wondering where you are!

We are taking all pictures before, so we will go straight to the reception as well.

I think a cocktail is generally so the bridal party has time for pictures. (Personally, I am having one because I am worried that if the guests have nothing to do during picture time they will come out and watch us pose for pictures and that is super awkward to me!) But I feel like not having one saves a lot of money on alcohol, if you can do pics another time, go for it!

The pros would be to have plenty of time for pictures. The negative is the extra cost.

If you are doing pictures before the ceremony then it isn’t necessary. If you are doing pictures after the ceremony then it’s nice to provide guests with some appetizers and refreshments as they wait.

As long as you are doing ALL of your pictures before the ceremony, you don't need one

My reception is in the same location as the ceremony, so we aren't having a "cocktail hour." They will have the bar open though.

We're planning on taking pics during our cocktail hour. It's just a way to entertain the guests for a little while.

Our venues are less than a mile apart! Our reception starts at 4 and the wedding will probably be over around 230 so I feel bad that guests have nothing to do until 4 but we only have the venue and vendors for so long and we are not arriving until 5pm so there will be hors d'oeuvres and the bar will be open and all the cookies will be out to keep the guests occupied until we get there for dinner ....

If you are also going to the reception right after the ceremony, I don't see the problem..you could even have about half an hour in between and let the guests make their way leisurely. If you eat pretty early into the reception (which is always a plus) I don't really see the problem..If guests can't wait until meal time to eat, well that's kinda not your problem.

Now, I was in a wedding where there was 2 or 3 hours after the ceremony and no cocktail hour (we went right to the reception after that long gap) in which case is not a good idea lol. But if you are going right to the reception (even 30 minutes later) and start salads soon it's fine :-)

It was such a hard decision and I didn't want to offend anyone. I just felt like it would be a waste . I thought about having a beverage station before the reception . Just for the fast drivers that will get there first.

Beverage station idea

Raspberry Tea

Strawberry lemonade

Mango Tea

As long as you don't leave your guests waiting and hungry you can skip it.

I really have not decided on it yet, on one hand I want to offer my guest a little something but at the same time people are wasteful and they will pile their plates with foods take one or two bites than leave the food. So we are still discussing it.

It's a time for your guests and you to mingle, to chat before they are seated, to take some pix, to gradually ease into the dinner part.

View Quoted Comment I’d like to skip cocktail hour and go straight to the food. How did yours turn out? Was everyone on board with immediately eating? Did you do a buffet? I’m worried if I do the buffet the guests won’t start without me and I want them to LOL

I'm also trying to decide if we need one or not. Since our wedding is in December... It will get dark sooner! So with a 3:30 start time, we are pressed for time. Our reception is southern soul food which is quite heavy. In case we do decide to have one any suggestions on apps?