Can you have a cocktail hour before the ceremony?
You certainly can, but this does pose a few challenges. One challenge to having cocktail hour before your ceremony will be getting guests into their seats so you can walk down the aisle. Designate a specific time when the bar is closed, and ask the bartenders and venue staff to encourage guests to take their seats.
When should cocktail hour be at a wedding?
Try a 30 minute cocktail hour before the ceremony to welcome your guests, and then a standard 60 minute cocktail hour after the ceremony ends. A pre-ceremony cocktail hour may also be a good idea if you need to accommodate shuttle bus schedules or early guests.
What do you serve at a wedding cocktail hour?
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- Mini Meatballs. A mini meatball should be easy to devour in just one bite.
- Lettuce Cups.
- Satay.
- Deviled Eggs.
- Cocktail Shrimp.
- Pot Stickers.
- Pretzel Bites.
- Savory Shortbreads.
Do you serve drinks before ceremony?
If your ceremony will last more than 20 minutes, it’s appropriate to offer guests something to drink. Simple water will do, but if you have a little more cushion in the budget, you might consider serving celebratory sparkling wine and mocktails.
Can bride and groom attend cocktail hour?
Although the bride and groom typically won’t be able to attend the cocktail hour it’s still a nice time for your guests to relax and enjoy some hors d’oeuvres and drinks before they go into the main reception.
What do you call cocktail hour without cocktails?
You could call it a Social Hour. Or you could just not call it anything. Most guests know that there will be a hosted hour between the ceremony and the start of the reception for when pictures are taken so they really don’t need a name to tell them what it is.
Is 2 hour cocktail hour too long?
It will greatly reduce the amount of photos you need after the ceremony. 2 hours is too long for cocktail hour, even if you are properly hosting your guests. Tell your photog that they can only have an hour of your time because you are starting the reception at Y time.
What can guests do during cocktail hour?
From signature drinks and cocktails to custom decorations and fun lawn games, we’ve rounded up our favorite creative cocktail hour ideas, below.
- Croquet on the Lawn.
- A Giant Jenga Set.
- Roasting Marshmallows.
- A Game of Checkers.
- DIY Wooden Wedding Sign.
- Mariachi Band Cocktail Hour Music.
- Mini-Popsicle Cocktails.
What to serve at pre drinks?
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- Eggs. Eggs are highly nutritious and filling, packing 7 grams of protein per one 56-gram egg ( 1 ).
- Oats.
- Bananas.
- Salmon.
- Greek yogurt.
- Chia pudding.
- Berries.
- Asparagus.
What should I drink before my wedding?
Drink Suggestions
- Prosecco & bottles of beer, as well as a soft drink option (such as cucumber water).
- A glass of pimms & bottles of cider, with an elderflower fizz for the non-drinkers.
- Wine & lager, and a non-alcoholic raspberry lemonade.
What does the couple do during cocktail hour?
Some couples don’t see each other before their wedding and spend all of cocktail hour taking photos – that is the original purpose of cocktail hours after all: to give guests something to do while you take photos. Other people get all their photos done beforehand and kick off cocktail hour with their guests.
What is another name for cocktail hour at a wedding?
The cocktail hour is part of the reception and doesn’t get called out or named separately. One of the venues we visited liked to refer to this as the Social Hour.
How long is Cocktail Hour at a wedding reception?
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about the wedding cocktail hour: How long does cocktail hour last? Typically an hour, but it can go up to 90 minutes if extra time is needed for photos or to flip the reception space. If you’ll be going longer, it’s a good idea to include games or other activities to keep guests occupied.
How does the wedding cocktail hour work at Theodorou?
Theodorou assigns one staffer to the couple and one to their immediate family. That way, the most in-demand attendees at the wedding don’t have to spend valuable schmoozing time searching out food and drink. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about the wedding cocktail hour:
What is Cocktail Hour and why is it important?
What Is Cocktail Hour? Cocktail hour is the period of time between the ceremony and dinner. It is the beginning of the reception portion of the wedding. “The cocktail hour is kind of like the acclimating period,” says Vicky Theodorou of Heirloom Catering & Event Design.
How do you serve drinks at cocktail hour?
When it comes to drinks, you’ll want multiple ways for guests to pick up a beverage when they walk into the cocktail hour space. In addition to having bartenders (plan for one bartender per 35 to 45 guests), waiters can pass pre-poured glasses of wine, direct guests to a beer cooler, or hand out juice and water.