Shorter Cocktail Hour?

Cocktail hours are the best part of weddings in my region, and a lot of our friends have even chosen to have extended, 90-minutes ones, because they're so great.

It doesn't really make sense to me why your DOC is suggesting the shorter timeframe, if that's not what she normally does.

Our cocktail hour was in a separate area from the reception room, we did all photos before the ceremony, but still had a full hour for cocktail hour. We did not have a guest book either, and my H and I were in the bridal suite freshening up and having apps in there. It also took quite a bit of time to get my dress bustled, which was done in that hour as well.

I'm just not really seeing a good reason for shortening it...

I personally don't care for cocktail hour (although I would prefer there to be some sort of cocktail hour) so for me, a half hour to an hour is a sufficient time range for me. I don't think I'd miss 15 minutes if you had a 45 minute cocktail hour. I care more for the reception so I can eat good food and get down on the dance floor.

I think an hour is the minimum it should be. If not people won’t have much of a chance to sample the appetizers and talk

I think that's a good amount of time. Cocktail hours are ok but can get boring around the hour mark in my opinion.

I have never been bored at a cocktail hour and that’s included lots of receptions where I couldn’t drink because I was pregnant. I think an hour is the minimum it should be.

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I hear you. I was concerned with our timeline and not having enough time at the end to mingle, dance, and enjoy our guests, but taking 10-15 minutes away from that won't be a big deal. DOC didn't suggest it, I did - and I think she's just trying to accommodate my wants. In this area, cocktail hour definitely is not the best time, and most of my family complains about it, so that combined with wanting extra reception time is what prompted this inquiry.

It sounds like our days are pretty similar - cocktail hour setup, no guest book, taking the hour to freshen up and have apps brought to us.

I don't think anyone would notice 15 minutes shorter. It's your wedding, do it how you want!! Cocktail hours can be nice if they're done right but a lot of times people (like me!) are ready for dinner. I say do what feels right for you!

I think that is fine? In my region, it’s not super important though. I doubt people will really notice the 15 minutes, the whole day is going to fly by for you either way!

I have been to a wedding where cocktail hour was an hr and a half super long that the reception felt cut off. But an hour isn’t bad at all

I dont see why it needs to be shortened to 45 mins. I have a 6pm start time and no guestbook. I want my guest to have the whole hour to eat and socialize. They will begin to wonder into the reception room when its available. It's kind of a strange request to shorten it with no other reason being available

45 minutes is fine. I usually find cocktail hour to be too long and boring. I want to be able to sit down and put my purse/coat down etc.

We're going to have a 45 minute cocktail hour. Our dinner is buffet and in a different area of the building so other than the 1 hour for dinner/speeches, the rest of the evening will be mingling and dancing.