When To Start Serving Cocktails At Your Wedding

When it comes to wedding invites, it's important to give your guests enough information so that they know when and where to show up. While wedding invitation etiquette does come into play, you have options for how to communicate the time of your cocktail hour. If you're having a cocktail hour before your ceremony, it's a good idea to include this information on your invite to avoid confusion. You could say something like: Please join us for cocktails at 5:00 p.m. Ceremony at 6:00 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres and dancing to immediately follow. If you're having a cocktail hour after your ceremony, a simple Reception to follow or Cocktails, dinner and dancing to follow will usually suffice.

Cocktail hour vs reception

A cocktail hour is a great way to transition from the ceremony to the reception. It gives your guests something to do, and it helps to loosen the atmosphere and build anticipation for the reception.

The standard cocktail hour lasts 60 minutes, but some couples choose to extend or shorten this time. If you're having an outdoor wedding, you may want to shorten the cocktail hour to avoid exposing your guests to the elements for too long. On the other hand, if your venue requires a long travel distance between spaces, you may need to extend the cocktail hour to give guests enough time to move from one space to another.

When it comes to what to serve during the cocktail hour, it's a good idea to have a mix of drinks and light appetizers or finger foods. You can even include signature cocktails or drinks that tie into your wedding theme. Some couples choose to have a pre-ceremony cocktail hour as well, especially if they want to accommodate guests who arrive early or fill time before the ceremony.

Now, let's talk about the reception. The reception is the main event after the wedding ceremony where guests celebrate with the newlyweds. It usually includes a more substantial meal, whether it's a plated dinner, buffet, or food stations. The reception also typically includes dancing, toasts, and other activities to entertain guests.

When it comes to your wedding invitation, you don't need to include every detail about the cocktail hour and reception. Most people know that a cocktail hour is standard before a wedding reception. You can simply mention "reception to follow" the ceremony, and include more details on your wedding website or through word of mouth. However, if you're doing something unique, like a pre-ceremony cocktail hour, it's a good idea to mention it on the invitation or inform your guests beforehand to avoid any confusion.

Including a schedule

If you are planning to host a cocktail hour before your wedding ceremony, it is important to communicate this clearly to your guests. While it is not necessary to include every detail of your wedding schedule on the invitation, providing a timeline can help ensure your guests arrive when you want them to.

Be Clear and Concise

When mentioning the cocktail hour on your invitations, be clear and concise about the timing. For example, you can write:

> "Please join us for cocktails at 5:00 p.m. The ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by hors d'oeuvres and dancing."

This wording lets guests know that the cocktail hour is part of the pre-ceremony festivities and that they should arrive at 5:00 p.m. if they wish to participate.

Consider a Separate Details Card

If you want to keep your main invitation simple and elegant, consider including a separate details card in your invitation suite. This card can provide a more detailed timeline of the day's events. For example:

> "Cocktail hour: 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

> Ceremony: 6:00 p.m.

> Dinner and dancing to follow."

A details card allows you to provide more information without cluttering your main invitation.

Provide Additional Information on Your Wedding Website

Not everyone may read your wedding website, but it is still a useful place to include more detailed information about the schedule. You can include times for the cocktail hour, ceremony, dinner, and any other key moments. This can be especially helpful for guests who want to know the full flow of the day.

Be Mindful of Guest Arrival Times

When planning your schedule, consider the typical arrival times for wedding guests. People often arrive 15-30 minutes before the start time on the invitation. If you want to account for this, you can slightly adjust the times on your invitation. For example, if you want guests to arrive at 4:45 p.m. for the cocktail hour, you may want to list 5:00 p.m. on the invitation. This ensures that most guests will be present for the cocktail hour without feeling like they are arriving "late."

Keep Your Schedule Flexible

Remember that weddings rarely stick to a strict timeline. Allow for some flexibility in your schedule to account for unexpected delays or changes. You don't want your guests constantly checking their watches or feeling rushed during the event.

By including a schedule on your wedding invitations, you can manage your guests' expectations and ensure they are present for the cocktail hour. Clear communication will help your guests feel informed and ensure that your special day goes smoothly.

Wording for cocktail hour

When it comes to wedding invitation wording, it's important to provide clear information about the timing of events to ensure your guests know when to arrive. Here are some suggestions for how to word your invitations to include a cocktail hour before the ceremony:

Option 1:

"Cocktails and slide show at 3:30 pm. Ceremony at 4:00 pm. Reception to follow."

This option provides a clear timeline for your guests, starting with the cocktail hour and ending with the reception. It specifies the start time for each part of the event, ensuring that guests know when to arrive for the cocktail hour.

Option 2:

"Please join us for cocktails at 5:00 pm. Ceremony at 6:00 pm. Hors d'oeuvres and dancing to follow immediately."

This wording explicitly invites guests to join for cocktails at the specified time, leaving no room for confusion. It also mentions that there will be food and dancing after the ceremony, giving guests a complete picture of the evening's events.

Option 3:

"Cocktail hour begins at 4:00 pm. Ceremony starts at 5:00 pm. Dinner and dancing to follow."

Here, you're explicitly calling out the start time for both the cocktail hour and the ceremony. By mentioning "dinner and dancing to follow," you're indicating that there will be additional festivities after the ceremony.

Option 4:

"Doors open at 4:00 pm. Cocktail hour from 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm. Ceremony begins at 5:00 pm."

This option uses the phrase "doors open" to indicate the start of the cocktail hour, followed by a more detailed breakdown of the timeline. It ensures that guests know they can arrive as early as 4:00 pm and that the ceremony will begin promptly at 5:00 pm.

Option 5:

"Cocktail hour at 3:30 pm. Ceremony at 4:30 pm. Dinner and dancing to follow."

This wording is straightforward and provides a clear timeline for your guests. It specifies the start time for both the cocktail hour and the ceremony, ensuring that guests know when and where they need to be.

Remember, it's essential to consider the formality of your wedding and invitation when choosing the appropriate wording. More formal invitations for black-tie weddings typically use traditional language, while casual invites can be more relaxed and informal. If you want to include additional details, consider including a separate details card or directing guests to your wedding website for a more comprehensive schedule.

Encouraging guests to arrive early

When it comes to wedding invitations, the goal is to provide guests with enough information so they know when and where to arrive. While wedding invitation etiquette does come into play, you have options for how to encourage guests to arrive early for your cocktail hour. Here are some suggestions for how to structure your invitation to encourage early arrivals:

Paragraph 1:

The first paragraph of your invitation should include the essential details, such as the date and time of the wedding ceremony. It is customary to write out the time in full, using traditional language for a formal invitation. For example, if your cocktail hour starts at 5:00 p.m., you could write, "Please join us for cocktails at five o'clock in the evening." This clearly indicates the start of the cocktail hour and sets the tone for the rest of the invitation.

Paragraph 2:

In the second paragraph, you can provide additional details about the timeline of events. For example, you could write, "The ceremony will follow at six o'clock, with a reception, dinner, and dancing immediately after." This format ensures that guests understand the flow of the evening and know that the cocktail hour is the intended start time.

Paragraph 3:

In the third paragraph, you can include a brief explanation of your unique timeline. For instance, you could write, "We invite you to join us for cocktails and mingling before the ceremony so that we may greet and celebrate with you upon your arrival." This adds a personal touch and emphasizes the importance of guests arriving early.

Paragraph 4:

The fourth paragraph can be used to provide practical information, such as the location of the wedding and any relevant details about parking or transportation. You may also want to include a line about attire, especially if your wedding is more casual. For example, "The ceremony and reception will be held at [location]. Free parking is available on-site. Please visit our wedding website for more details and to RSVP."

Paragraph 5:

In the final paragraph, you can add a friendly reminder about the timing. For instance, "To ensure you don't miss a moment of the celebration, we kindly request your presence during the cocktail hour." This subtle prompt encourages guests to arrive early without explicitly stating it.

Additional Tips:

• Consider including a separate details card with your invitation that outlines the timeline of events, especially if your invitation design doesn't allow for all the necessary information.
• If you have a wedding website, ensure that it includes a detailed schedule, and encourage guests to refer to it for more information.
• It's worth noting that some guests may not check the website, so including all relevant information on the invitation itself is essential.
• You may also want to spread the word casually through close friends and family to ensure that guests are aware of the unique timeline.

Providing extra details

When it comes to providing extra details on your wedding invitations, it's important to strike a balance between including necessary information and keeping the design clean and uncluttered. Here are some tips and suggestions for providing extra details about the cocktail hour on your wedding invites:

Be Clear About the Timeline

It's important to provide a clear timeline for your wedding day, especially if you're including a cocktail hour before the ceremony. You don't want your guests to be confused or unsure about the schedule. A simple and effective way to do this is by including specific times for each part of the event. For example, you can write something like, "Cocktails and Slide Show: 3:30 pm, Ceremony: 4:00 pm, Reception: 4:30 pm", which ensures that your guests know when to arrive and what to expect.

Consider a Separate Details Card

If you want to keep your main invitation simple and elegant, consider including a separate details card as part of your invitation suite. This card can provide additional information about the cocktail hour, such as the time, location, and any special instructions. For instance, you could write, "Please join us for a pre-ceremony cocktail hour at 5:00 pm in the garden terrace. The ceremony will follow at 6:00 pm in the main ballroom." This approach allows you to provide extra details without overcrowding your main invitation.

Emphasise the Cocktail Hour

If you're concerned that your guests might miss the cocktail hour or arrive late, consider emphasising this part of the event on your invitation. You can do this by including a line such as, "Please arrive promptly at 4:00 pm for a cocktail hour prior to the ceremony." This clearly communicates that the cocktail hour is an important part of the celebration and that guests are expected to attend.

Provide Additional Information on Your Wedding Website

While not everyone may refer to your wedding website, it's still a useful platform to provide more detailed information about your wedding day. You can include a timeline, explain the cocktail hour concept, and even mention any unique aspects or activities during this time. For example, "Join us for a fun and relaxed cocktail hour before the ceremony. We'll be serving signature cocktails and delicious hors d'oeuvres, with a special slideshow celebrating our journey."

Be Mindful of Tradition

When providing extra details, it's important to consider the formality and tradition of your wedding. More formal, traditional weddings often call for a more elegant and understated invitation design. In such cases, you may want to keep the wording concise and use traditional phrases such as "half after" for times on the half-hour. On the other hand, if you're having a more casual wedding, you have the flexibility to be more creative and light-hearted with your wording.

Consult with a Stationer

Finally, don't hesitate to seek professional help. Working with a stationer or wedding invitation designer can be incredibly beneficial. They can guide you in choosing the right wording, ensuring that your invitations are both informative and aesthetically pleasing. They can also help you navigate any unique situations or challenges you may have, such as accommodating a non-traditional timeline or including additional details in a cohesive and elegant manner.

Remember, the key is to provide your guests with the information they need to fully participate in your special day while also maintaining a well-designed and elegant invitation suite.

Frequently asked questions