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Savvy May 2020

Social Hour or... no?

Danielle, on February 21, 2019 at 12:06 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 8

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Hey all! So I know my ceremony is over a year away, but with that being said we’re still getting a basic idea of what we want. Currently I’m trying to decide if we need a social hour (or cocktail hour).

All of our events take place at the same venue (ceremony outside, reception inside). Our ceremony is planned to start around 6pm so we can get a sunset garden wedding. With that being said we have all day to get ready because we will do decorations the day before. If we do most of our photos before the ceremony (first look, bridal party, and parents) can we skip the cocktail hour? I plan on offering snacks before the ceremony (most likely a popcorn bar with a few other things) to help keep hunger down until food. The ceremony will be a quick renewal of vows, and then there will most likely be a 20-25 minute intermission after the ceremony until we are all seated for dinner (the snacks will still be out). We are also having a small to medium side wedding of about 80 close friends and family.

What do you guys think??

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8 Comments

Latest activity by Rae, on February 21, 2019 at 12:50 PM

Champion October 2018
Kelly · on February 21, 2019 at 12:12 PM
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If there’s any kind of break between the ceremony and reception then you should have appetizers and the bar open. The only time it would be okay to skip cocktail hour is if you go straight from the ceremony to being seated for dinner.
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Master June 2019
Danielle · on February 21, 2019 at 12:13 PM
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I feel like your plan will work fine, and you can totally skip the traditional "cocktail hour." BUT I'd make it to where your guests can go ahead and grab a drink during that 20-25 min waiting period between the ceremony and reception.
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Savvy May 2020
Danielle · on February 21, 2019 at 12:15 PM
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Thank you for your help! If possible we might just go straight into the reception. The break would be for guests to walk to their seat and use the restroom. I feel like a good portion of them will get stuck in conversation though.
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Savvy May 2020
Danielle · on February 21, 2019 at 12:16 PM
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Thank you for the help! I definitely plan on having our drinks available the whole time to help accommodate our guests
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Master June 2019
Danielle · on February 21, 2019 at 12:29 PM
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Oh, and I'll add that our ceremony & reception will be at the same place (ceremony outdoors and reception inside) too. We are currently mulling over two options, because I don't want a cocktail hour either (mainly for budget reasons and I fear guests eating dinner too late....people get hangry!). This is what we have so far:
Option 1: Do a first look. That way we can have all pictures done before the ceremony and can go straight to the reception.
Option 2: Not a popular option among a lot of brides on here, but I have seen it done and ultimately it is up to me to decide what is best for my wedding & guests. Do pictures after the ceremony, but go ahead and let guests eat. It will be a buffet, and the pastor can bless the food before releasing the ceremony to the reception. That way we can give our guests dinner & a show when we do our grand entrance & first dance, then join them for dinner.
Basically, it will come down to whether or not we want to do a first look.
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Legend July 2019
MrsD · on February 21, 2019 at 12:30 PM
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Yes, you can skip cocktail hour if there is no reason guests will be standing around and waiting for the bride and groom.
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Savvy May 2020
Danielle · on February 21, 2019 at 12:35 PM
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Those are actually some fairly good options. I like the idea of going on ahead and letting guests eat! I’ve never heard of that before, but I’m a definitely a fan of that idea. Thank you!!
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Savvy December 2019
Rae · on February 21, 2019 at 12:50 PM
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I really love that second option schedule and would be using something like that in your situation

we both feel feel very strongly that a “first look” is absolutely out of the question though

i think if you’re on the fence about the first look it’s better to skip it. If you’re sure you want a moment of you, your fiancé, and a photographer before everything than I think it’s a great choice... for me any illusions of it being a private moment between us is shattered for me by the person clicking pictures and suggesting poses... I really don’t want someone to “pose” us so we “look” in love... I’m happy in the knowledge that we actually love and are devoted to the other and will not need to see him that day to be sure I’m ready to marry him...
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