Writing 'Cocktail Hour' On Wedding Invites: Tacky Or Tasteful?

Wedding invitation wording is a tricky task. Couples must navigate etiquette, tradition, and ensuring guests have all the information they need. One question that often arises is whether to include mention of a cocktail hour on the invite. While some opt for traditional phrasing such as reception to follow, others prefer to give a detailed breakdown of the day's events. This can be especially important if the cocktail hour precedes the ceremony, as guests may otherwise arrive late. Including a separate details card or insert can be a good solution, giving guests a timeline without cluttering the invitation itself. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and how much information the couple wants to convey.

Including 'cocktail hour' on the invitation

Including cocktail hour on the invitation

If you're having a cocktail hour before your wedding ceremony, it's a good idea to let your guests know on the invitation. This is considered unusual, so it's best to be clear about the timeline to avoid confusion. You could include a separate details card with your invitation, or add a line such as "cocktail hour from 4-5" or "doors open at 4 pm".

If you're having a cocktail hour after the ceremony, it's more straightforward. You can simply write "cocktail reception to follow" or "cocktails, dinner and dancing to follow". If you're skipping a sit-down dinner, it's a good idea to let guests know, so they don't arrive expecting a full meal. You could write "cocktail reception" or "cocktails and hors d'oeuvres to follow".

If you're having a cocktail hour before the ceremony, it's important to make the start time clear. You could write something like "cocktail hour begins at 3:30, with the ceremony beginning at 4:30". If you're having a cocktail hour after the ceremony, you can simply put the start time of the ceremony on the invitation, and guests will know to arrive 15-30 minutes early.

If you're having a cocktail hour, it's likely that your guests will drink more alcohol than they would otherwise. This may affect your budgeting, so it's something to keep in mind.

There are a few different ways to refer to the cocktail hour on your invitation. You could use "cocktail hour", "cocktail reception", "drinks", "cocktails", or "light refreshments".

• "Cocktail hour begins at 3:30, with the ceremony beginning at 4:30. Reception to follow."
• "Ceremony at 4:30, drinks, dinner and dancing to follow."
• "Cocktail reception to follow, 5-8 pm."
• "Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres to follow."

Wording suggestions for the invitation

• "Cocktail hour from 4-5, ceremony at 5:30"
• "Cocktail hour begins at 4 pm, ceremony begins promptly at 5:30 pm"
• "Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres to follow"
• "Cocktail reception to follow, 5 to 8 p.m."
• "Cocktails, dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Drinks, dinner and dancing to follow"
• "Reception to follow with cocktails, dinner and dancing"

If you would prefer not to include the words "cocktail hour" or "cocktails" on your invitations, you could instead say:

• "Light refreshments served from 4-5, ceremony at 5:30"
• "Doors open at 4 pm" (with further details on a separate card)
• "Reception to follow"
• "Join us after the ceremony for drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and dancing"

If you are having a cocktail hour before the ceremony, it is a good idea to make this clear to your guests, as this is not the traditional format for a wedding. You could include this information on a separate details card, or on your wedding website, but be aware that not all guests will check the website.

• "Cocktail hour from 4-5, ceremony at 5:30"
• "Cocktail hour begins at 4 pm, ceremony begins at 5:30 pm"
• "Doors open at 4 pm" (with further details on a separate card)
• "Cocktail hour from 4-5, ceremony at 5"

Listing the time of the cocktail hour

When listing the time of the cocktail hour on your wedding invitations, there are a few key considerations and different ways to approach the wording. Here are some suggestions and tips to help you communicate the timing effectively:

• Traditional Wording: It is common to spell out times in full on wedding invitations, following traditional etiquette. For example, if your cocktail hour starts at 5:30 pm, you would write "half after five o'clock in the afternoon" or "half past five o'clock". This style adheres to formal wedding invitation standards.
• Informal Wording: If you prefer a more casual tone, you can simply write the time in numbers followed by "p.m." For a 5:30 pm cocktail hour, you could use "5:30 p.m." or "5:30 p.m. in the afternoon". This approach is less formal but still clear and easy to understand.
• Providing a Timeline: Instead of just mentioning the cocktail hour, you can include a brief timeline of events to give guests a better understanding of the day's schedule. For example, "Cocktail hour at 5:30 pm, ceremony at 6:30 pm, followed by dinner and dancing". This approach ensures guests know what to expect and when.
• Using a Details Card: If you want to keep your invitation simple but still provide timing details, consider including a separate details card in your invitation suite. This card can outline the cocktail hour timing, as well as other important information such as the ceremony time, reception details, and any other relevant activities.
• Clarifying the Start Time: When listing the cocktail hour time, be mindful that guests typically arrive 15-30 minutes early for weddings. If you want to prevent guests from showing up too early, you can add a buffer by listing the ceremony time or suggesting a specific arrival time. For example, "Cocktail hour from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Ceremony begins promptly at 6:30 pm".
• Communicating the Flow: It is important to clearly communicate the flow of events, especially if your cocktail hour is before the ceremony. You can use wording such as "Cocktail hour from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, followed by the ceremony at 5:30 pm". This ensures guests understand the timing and order of events.

Remember to consider the overall tone and formality of your wedding invitations when choosing how to list the time of the cocktail hour. You can also combine these suggestions to create a clear and informative invitation suite. Providing a timeline or including a details card can be especially helpful if you have multiple events throughout the day.

Inviting guests to a wedding website

A wedding website is an excellent way to centralize all the information about your wedding in one place. It is a digital, easily accessible space for your guests to refer to and can help build excitement for your special day.

What to Include on Your Wedding Website

Your wedding website should include all the essential and need-to-know details of your wedding. This can include:

• A timeline of events, including the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and any other activities
• Parking and transport information, especially if your wedding is in an unfamiliar location or has limited parking
• Accommodation information, such as nearby hotels or a hotel block for guests
• Gift registry details, if applicable
• Details about your wedding party, such as names and titles (optional)
• Dress code guidelines for any events listed on the website
• Your contact information, in case guests have questions or last-minute changes
• Your love story (optional), which can add a personal touch and give guests insight into your relationship

How to Share Your Wedding Website with Guests

There are a few ways to share your wedding website with your guests:

• Include the URL on your wedding invitations or save-the-dates. This is a common and convenient way to share your website, and it ensures that guests who need to RSVP have access to the site.
• Create a custom URL or use your own domain name to make it more memorable and personalized. For example, you can use your first names or future surname: "HarryLovesSally" or "TheFutureJohnsons."
• Password-protect your site to maintain privacy. You can set a simple password that is easy for guests to remember, such as your wedding date.
• Share your wedding website through word of mouth or by sending the link directly to each guest.

Benefits of a Wedding Website

A wedding website offers several advantages for both you and your guests:

• It provides a single hub of information, reducing confusion and the need for additional inserts in your invitations.
• Guests can easily access and refer to the website whenever needed, especially when traveling.
• It allows for timely updates and quick communication of any changes to your wedding plans.
• It can be personalized with your wedding aesthetic, photos, and custom designs.
• It helps manage your guest list, track RSVPs, and collect and manage responses.

Including a separate details card

If you want to keep your wedding invitations simple and clutter-free, a good solution is to include a separate details card. This can be particularly useful if you have a lot of information to convey or if your wedding format is unconventional.

Details cards are a great way to provide your guests with a brief overview of the timeline for the day, so they know what to expect. This is especially important if you're having a cocktail hour before the ceremony, as this is not the standard format for a wedding. By including a separate card, you can ensure that your guests have all the information they need without cluttering your invitations.

For example, you could include the ceremony time on the invitation (e.g., "5:30 pm") and then provide more details on the separate card, such as "Cocktail hour from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, with the ceremony starting at 5:30 pm. If you prefer to arrive just in time for the ceremony, please join us by 5:00 pm." This way, your guests have the option to attend the cocktail hour or not, and you can avoid any confusion or miscommunication.

Details cards are also useful for providing additional information such as transportation, accommodation, and wedding website details. If you have multiple events during the wedding weekend, a details card can be a helpful way to list all the festivities open to guests in chronological order.

By including a separate details card with your wedding invitation, you can ensure that your guests have all the information they need to fully participate in and enjoy your special day.

Frequently asked questions