What does cocktail hour include?

Yes, drinks and nibbles. You can be present and enjoy it with your guests or this can be when you take your photos.

More than just "snacks" need to offered. The last wedding I went to the couple only provided pretzels and chips during cocktail hour and everyone was so drunk before dinner.

Please make sure your venue does NOT run out of hors d'oeuvres. I went to a wedding reception and we finally got to the food table. Waiter said there was no more food. Rude. I said in a loud voice, "I'll cross this place off my wedding list." He glared at me. At our reception I made it abundantly clear if any nibbles ran out, make more and toss it on the bill.

Agree with K.M. - this summer we went to a wedding that only had brownies and a candy bar out...we were super confused bc they put cocktail hour on their invites, and it seemed more dessert like. We just left and went up to our rooms and ate and drank there. Which also was bc they had a cash bar at their cocktail hour.

Does it matter how long your cocktail hour will last? Ours will be 30-45 minutes long before salads would be served. Would you serve lighter apps vs something like sliders then?!?

Awesome advice. And what if I have Mexican food for dinner. What are good ideas for pre-dinner food. Obviously not just chips and salsa

We used that time to get our pictures done. We had full open bar along with two signature cocktails and some passed appetizers as well as cheese and fruit platters.

@paige- what about mini empanadas or quesadillas? Maybe some sort of shrimp and cilantro bruschetta. There are tons of options.

@ErinWood brilliant! That is a great idea. My Fiance and I are not Hispanic. But we love the food. So I like those ideas a lot!