What to do during cocktail hour????

Why would you not enjoy the cocktail hour you're paying for? That's the whole reason to do a first look IMO!

I just didn't know if it was weird to hang out with the guests before we get introduced at the reception.

Most of my couples take a few minutes to be alone and then join the cocktail hour midway.

That really IS one of the compelling reasons to do a first look....

Go enjoy your wedding!! People will want to spend time with you and your new husband

No, it means you get to spend more time with the people you invited to witness your marriage.

We plan to take a few moments to ourselves after the ceremony and then absolutely will join our guests for cocktails!

We did first look and pictures before ceremony and signed marriage certificate and took a few more pictures after. Then joined our guests for drinks! But ours was a small wedding of 50 guests and we were on the grounds doing pictures while our guests were enjoying cocktails indoors and outdoors so it wasn't like they didn't see us. And we weren't planning some grand entrance. I guess it depends if you are trying to hide and make an entrance.

Mingled with the guests!

Actually, before meeting with our photographer, I'd never heard of a first look. He recommended it and it made sense to me because the wedding is late and by that time, it will def be getting dark out.

The venue suggested the bridal suite to relax and unwind right after the ceremony.

I guess we could enjoy each other for a few and join our guests after

I was in a wedding where they shut us away during cocktail hour. It sucked. If you decide to hang out alone, please let your bridal party go to cocktail hour.

We have a bridal suit we would be hanging out with the bridal party in that and taking more pictures. We also have a waiter that will serve us. At first I wanted to spend the whole time in the suit I like the idea of people not seeing us until we are announced, but I also think it would be a good idea to start saying hello to some of my guest.

So what time is dinner if the wedding starts at 7?

We did a first look, but still had lots of photos to take after the ceremony with the wedding party. So we did not go to our cocktail hour even though we did do a first look.

Dranks.

How long does it take your venue to turnover the room? If the wedding starts at 7 I suggest shortening the "cocktail hour."