Deborah Chan
A cocktail hour at a wedding is a time for guests to relax, socialise, and enjoy drinks and food. It usually takes place between the ceremony and the reception, but some couples opt to host it before the ceremony begins. The length of a cocktail hour is typically 60 minutes, but it can be shortened or extended to fit the schedule of the day. During this time, guests can mingle, take photos, and indulge in their favourite drinks and snacks. It's a great opportunity to add a personal touch to your wedding, with signature cocktails, cultural symbols, and music.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Guests to mingle, catch up, and relax |
| Timing | Between the ceremony and reception, or before the ceremony |
| Duration | 60 minutes, but can be extended or shortened |
| Food | Finger food, canapes, light bites, appetizers, hors d'oeuvres |
| Drinks | Cocktails, beer, wine, champagne, non-alcoholic options |
| Entertainment | Music, lawn games, photo booths, guest book, live entertainment |
| Decor | Relaxed and inviting, elegant linens, centerpieces, candles |
What You'll Learn
- Timing: Usually 60 minutes, but can be extended or shortened to fit schedules
- Location: Often held in a separate location from the ceremony, but can be at the same venue
- Food: Finger foods, canapes, and hors d'oeuvres are served
- Drinks: Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served, sometimes including a signature cocktail
- Entertainment: Music, games, and other activities are provided to entertain guests
Timing: Usually 60 minutes, but can be extended or shortened to fit schedules
The standard cocktail hour at a wedding is 60 minutes, but it can be adjusted to fit your schedule. The length of the cocktail hour ultimately depends on your priorities and convenience. If you're working with a tight schedule, a 45-minute cocktail hour might fit better, but some might consider shaving off 15 minutes undesirable.
If you're looking to extend the cocktail hour, it's a good idea to include games or other activities to keep guests occupied. Some couples choose to extend the cocktail hour to 75 or 90 minutes, especially if they need more time for photos or to flip the reception space. You can also break up the cocktail hour with a shorter session before the ceremony and a standard 60-minute session after. This can be useful for accommodating shuttle bus schedules or early guests.
The cocktail hour is typically held between the wedding ceremony and the main reception, but some couples prefer to have guests arrive early and enjoy a cocktail before the bridal party arrives. It's essential to consider the timing of your day and what works best for you.
If you're hosting your wedding at a hotel or other large venue, you might have a stricter timeline for your cocktail hour due to the venue's hours of operation. On the other hand, if you're hosting your wedding at home, you can be more flexible with the timing and keep your guests around for as long as you like.
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Location: Often held in a separate location from the ceremony, but can be at the same venue
The cocktail hour is a time for guests to relax, socialise and enjoy drinks and food. It is usually held in a separate location from the ceremony, but it can be at the same venue.
Cocktail hours are often held in an outdoor space, such as a garden, or a unique annex of the reception venue, such as a balcony, patio or rooftop. This gives guests the opportunity to enjoy some fresh air and a change of scenery.
If you are having a minimal wedding, you might prefer to hold the cocktail hour outside or in a garden. Alternatively, if your wedding is taking place in a hotel or large venue, there may be strict time constraints on your cocktail hour due to the venue's operating hours.
Some couples choose to hold the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception in the same location, while others opt for separate venues. It is important to consider the location of your cocktail hour before booking your venue or making any other significant decisions.
The cocktail hour typically lasts for 60 minutes, but can be adjusted to suit the needs of the couple and their guests. For example, it can be extended to allow for travel time between venues or to finish wedding photos.
During the cocktail hour, guests can enjoy a selection of drinks and finger foods, such as canapes, chips and dips, nuts, mini sandwiches, tapas, sushi and charcuterie. This is a great opportunity for guests to socialise and relax before the reception begins.
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Food: Finger foods, canapes, and hors d'oeuvres are served
A cocktail hour is a time for guests to socialise, relax, and enjoy drinks and food before the reception. It is usually held between the ceremony and the reception, but some couples choose to host it before the ceremony as a way for guests to catch up and get some food and drinks before the wedding. It is typically an hour long, but can be extended to up to 90 minutes if extra time is needed for photos or to flip the reception space.
When it comes to food, finger foods, canapes, and hors d'oeuvres are served. Vicky Theodorou of Heirloom Catering & Event Design recommends having at least five different kinds of passed hors d'oeuvres, with two bites of each budgeted per guest. She also suggests having one or two food stations in addition to the passed hors d'oeuvres. These can include stationery displays (also known as food bars, food stations, or grazing tables), which allow guests to customise their appetizers or fill small plates with the exact mix of bites they want. Popular options include raw bars, cheese and charcuterie boards, crostini, dumplings, sushi, tacos, pizza, and pasta.
If you're looking for something more substantial, you can also offer small plates or bowls. These are larger portions that guests can enjoy as a light meal. This could be a good option if your cocktail hour is replacing a meal or if you want to offer something more filling for guests who may have dietary restrictions or preferences.
For drinks, in addition to bartenders, waiters can pass pre-poured glasses of wine, direct guests to a beer cooler, or hand out juice and water. If you're serving a signature cocktail, cocktail hour is the time to do so. This is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding and can be tailored to match the colours, theme, and vibe of your special day. If you don't have a signature cocktail, you can opt for something seasonal and whimsical, such as mini popsicles in a coupe of prosecco during the summer or red wine harvest slushies in the fall.
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Drinks: Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served, sometimes including a signature cocktail
Cocktail hour is the time between the ceremony and dinner, marking the beginning of the reception. It is a time for guests to mingle, socialise and catch up over drinks and light bites.
Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Drinks
When it comes to drinks, there are a few options to choose from. You could have an open bar, a limited bar, a cash bar, or a non-alcoholic bar. Here's a breakdown of each:
- An open bar is the most gracious approach, where guests can enjoy any drink of their choice without paying. However, it is also the most expensive option.
- A limited bar offers a selection of drinks such as beer, wine, signature cocktails, and basic mixed drinks.
- A cash bar, where guests pay for their drinks, is generally not recommended as it can be seen as a cost-cutting measure.
- A non-alcoholic bar serves mocktails, sparkling water, soda, and other non-alcoholic beverages.
Signature Cocktails
A signature cocktail is a great way to personalise your wedding and capture your theme. It can be a reflection of the couple, with some couples offering two signature cocktails—one for the bride and one for the groom. This provides a range of options for your guests to choose from.
Beer and Wine
Serving beer and wine during cocktail hour is a common practice. It helps keep the atmosphere light and ensures that guests don't get too intoxicated too quickly. It is also a more cost-effective option compared to hard liquor. Typically, couples offer a red and white wine option and a domestic and imported beer choice.
Non-Alcoholic Options
It is important to provide non-alcoholic options for guests who don't drink alcohol. In addition to water, you can offer soft drinks, coffee, tea, and even a signature mocktail.
Modified Open Bar
If you're concerned about the potential downsides of an open bar, you can opt for a modified open bar. This typically involves offering a signature cocktail along with beer and wine during the cocktail hour, followed by a full bar later in the evening. This approach can help control costs and prevent guests from becoming too intoxicated early on.
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Entertainment: Music, games, and other activities are provided to entertain guests
Cocktail hour is the time between the ceremony and reception, where guests can relax, sip on drinks, and enjoy light bites before the celebrations continue. It's a great opportunity to add some creative touches to the wedding and keep guests entertained. Here are some ideas for entertainment during cocktail hour:
Music
Although music shouldn't be the focal point, as guests will be mingling and chatting, it can add to the atmosphere. A string quartet, strolling violinist, or acoustic act can provide a subtle backdrop. If you want something more upbeat, a mariachi band or jazz set from your live band can be a fun option, but keep it limited to around 15 minutes. Alternatively, a DJ can curate a more low-key playlist than what will be played during the reception.
Lawn Games
Lawn games are a great way to get guests interacting and having fun. Games like croquet, cornhole, giant Jenga, and a giant chessboard are all popular choices. If your wedding is indoors, consider giant Tic-Tac-Toe, checkers, or a game of ladder golf.
Visual Artists
Hiring visual artists to paint or sketch during cocktail hour can be a unique and memorable experience for guests. They can capture the event as it unfolds, and their artwork can even be displayed in your home afterward. Fashion illustrators can also sketch your guests, giving them a unique wedding favour.
Photo Ops and Photo Booth
Setting up a dedicated photo area with a backdrop or fun props can encourage guests to snap some memorable pictures. A photo booth can also be a fun addition, providing guests with instant souvenirs.
Other Activities
- A selfie station or a guest book can be a simple interactive element.
- A video or slide show sharing memories of the couple is a nice touch.
- For a spring or summer wedding, roasting marshmallows can be a fun, nostalgic activity.
- For kids, consider providing colouring books or activity packets to keep them entertained.
- For adults, wedding-themed bingo, mad libs, or trivia games can be fun.
- For a more relaxed option, a small craft table can be set up, where guests can make their own flower crowns or other wedding-themed crafts.
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Frequently asked questions
A cocktail hour is a time for guests to mingle, relax, and catch up over drinks and light bites. It usually takes place between the ceremony and the reception.
Most couples host a cocktail hour between the ceremony and the main reception. However, some couples prefer to have guests arrive early and enjoy a cocktail before the bridal party arrives.
Many couples choose to serve a signature cocktail that matches the colours and theme of their wedding. It's also a good idea to serve interesting non-alcoholic options for non-drinkers and children.
Food served during a cocktail hour should be easy to eat with one hand, so finger foods are a good option. This can include anything from fancy canapés and chips and dips to mini sandwiches and tapas.
A cocktail hour isn't necessary, but it can be a fun addition to your wedding. It gives guests a chance to mingle and provides extra time for the bridal party to take photos.
