Skipping Cocktail Hour?

I think that would be fine, especially if the meal begins with a first course (e.g., salad, soup, etc.) that is served right after people are seated and bread is served or available at the tables when they sit down. I'd be pretty hungry by 6:30, and especially with the bar open, you don't want people drinking on an empty stomach. Sounds great!

I don't see an issue! I agree with PP that a first course would be great for the guests

Sounds like a great plan!

I don’t see why it would be an issue. our last family wedding had a large gap in between the ceremony and reception and they didn’t have a cocktail hour. No one minded. The first thing done after the grand entrance was dinner. It worked out fine!

While I think it’s fine to skip cocktail hour, keep in mind that you will need a little time between the ceremony and dinner. There are some pictures that you will want, or that your photographer will probably suggest taking. You will also need to sign and complete the marriage certificate with the officiant. And then there’s the incidental stuff that takes up time, like everyone who wants to congratulate you and touching up your makeup. So I would still keep a small buffer time in between the two even without a cocktail hour.

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Good points!! I was thinking about having a very light appetizer table for 15-20 minutes in between. People can snack and drink for a little bit while we tie up loose ends. I just know it wouldn't be the full cocktail "hour" and wasn't sure if that was weird. "Join us for a cocktail 20 minutes".

This is exactly what we are doing! I think it sounds like a great idea and you'll get to spend more time with your guests!

View Quoted Comment That sounds perfect

I think skipping it is fine.

Yea some guests at our party might be confused also cuz the ceremony is going straight into buffet dinner lol and we start at 7! I'm sure it will be fine. I love and hate cocktail hour. It's amazing cuz you have so much variety of food but then there is really no room left for dinner. It will be fine either way!!! I'm not worried.

I too am not having a cocktail hour. Our ceremony n reception ate at the same venue also. After the ceremony held outside my guests will chit chat n make there way inside they all know each other already, we've been together 15 yrs. Us n the wedding party will do some photos but just til everyone is seated then we'll enter and party the night away.

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I think this is absolutely fine. You don't even need to call it anything. Just end your ceremony and have someone announce that there are light refreshments available now in [location]. You and your new spouse do what you need to do, and then dinner begins.

The newish trend of cocktail hours came about to properly host guests during the (often long) post-ceremony picture taking. It's a great trend and I'm old enough to remember when there used to be nothing to do but stand around, hungry and thirsty, and wait for the bridal party to finally appear. But since you aren't going to be doing a big picture session post-ceremony, you are totally ok to skip an actual cocktail hour.

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That actually sounds perfect. You definitely want something for your guests while you get those last pictures, but there doesn't seem a need for a full hour. I think you can call it either, no one is going to be timing it unless it take much longer than expected.

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Exactly! We're doing a buffet so I even considered letting them grab a plate on the way in but then we wouldn't be able to bless the meal and I feel like there would be mass chaos in everyone getting a plate at once.

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Oh I definitely wouldn't recommend just letting guests get a plate at the buffet while you're taking pictures. I'm sure you know this, but that is asking for chaos. Your idea for something light to snack on for 20 minutes sounds perfect.

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Exactly this. OP, you will be surprised how long these small things take. Just bustling my dress took nearly 20 minutes. We took the majority of our pictures before the ceremony but still wanted a few in and around the church after the ceremony. By the time we signed the license (took about 15 minutes), took a few additional pictures (another 20-25 minutes), and bustled my dress and removed the veil (20-25 minutes), it was already an hour. It was also nice to have a little down time between the ceremony and cocktail hour so my husband and I were alone just the two of us before we joined everyone for cocktail hour. Our cocktail hour was 90 minutes so we still had plenty of time to join everyone.