Cocktail Hour: Pre-Wedding Warm-Up

A cocktail hour at a wedding is a time for guests to mingle, relax, and have fun. It usually takes place between the ceremony and the main reception, lasting around 60 minutes, but can be adjusted to suit the couple's needs. During this time, guests can enjoy drinks, including a signature cocktail, and light bites such as canapes, dips, and charcuterie. It's a chance for guests to socialise and take photos, while the couple can use this time for professional photo shoots or to freshen up before the reception. The atmosphere is informal and relaxed, with subtle music in the background, and sometimes, live entertainment or lawn games are included to enhance the experience.

Food and drink: Signature cocktails, canapés, finger food, and non-alcoholic options

Cocktail hour is a great time to showcase your creativity and personality as a couple. It's also a chance to treat your guests to delicious food and drinks before the main reception. Here are some ideas and tips to make your cocktail hour a success:

Signature Cocktails

Signature cocktails are a fun and classy way to personalise your wedding. You can invent your own cocktail to match your wedding colours, theme, and vibe, or choose a tried-and-tested drink you know your guests will enjoy. Give your cocktail a catchy name and serve it in fancy glasses with fresh garnishes, straws, and crushed ice for an upscale feel. If you don't have a go-to beverage, opt for something seasonal with a whimsical touch. For summer weddings, mini popsicles in a coupe of prosecco are a refreshing choice, while red wine harvest slushies are perfect for autumn.

Don't forget to offer interesting non-alcoholic options as well! Create a self-serve water station with infused waters, iced tea, or lemonade to keep your guests hydrated.

Canapés and Finger Food

When it comes to food, think easy-to-eat options that your guests can enjoy while holding a drink. Fancy canapés, chips and dips, nuts, mini sliders, small sandwiches, tapas, sushi, bruschetta, and charcuterie boards are all excellent choices. If you're having an outdoor wedding or a separate cocktail hour area, consider setting up food stations or displays such as raw bars, cheese and charcuterie boards, or even a fondue fountain!

Plan for at least five different kinds of passed hors d'oeuvres, with two bites of each per guest. Food stations are a nice addition but not a replacement for passed hors d'oeuvres. If you're offering stationary appetizers, ensure there's a variety to cater to different dietary restrictions and allergies. Grazing tables and edible spoons or mini crispy cones are also popular choices.

Bartenders and Staffing

To ensure a smooth cocktail hour, plan to have one bartender per 35 to 45 guests. In addition, you may want to have waiters passing pre-poured glasses of wine or directing guests to a beer cooler. It's important to have enough staff to take care of both food and drink orders, so your guests don't have to wait too long.

Timing and Duration

The standard cocktail hour lasts for 60 minutes, but you can adjust this to fit your timeline and needs. Some couples extend it to 90 minutes, especially if they need more time for photographs or to flip the reception space. If you have a large guest list, keep in mind that food stations may result in long lines, so you might prefer to offer heavier passed hors d'oeuvres instead.

The cocktail hour usually takes place between the ceremony and the main reception, but some couples choose to have a pre-ceremony cocktail hour for early arrivals. This is a nice touch, especially for outdoor weddings, and can be as simple as greeting guests with a glass of champagne or a hot toddy, depending on the weather.

Setting the Mood

To create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, consider the decor and seating arrangements. If your cocktail hour is in a separate space from the ceremony and reception, take advantage of the unique setting. For outdoor areas, string ribbons and colourful banners with twinkling lights from tree branches or set up floral installations.

Provide a mix of high bistro tables, low chairs, coffee tables, and lounge furniture to encourage mingling. You don't need to provide a seat for every guest, but ensure there are enough tables and chairs, especially for older guests.

Music is also an essential element of the cocktail hour. Hire live musicians like a jazz trio, string quartet, or acoustic guitarist to create a sophisticated and social ambiance. Alternatively, a DJ can play a diverse playlist to match the setting and keep the energy high.

Entertainment: Music, lawn games, photo booths, and magicians

Cocktail hour is a great time to provide entertainment for your guests. It's an opportunity to create a relaxed and fun atmosphere before the reception. Here are some ideas to elevate your cocktail hour with music, lawn games, photo booths, and magicians:

Music

Live music is a popular choice for cocktail hour entertainment. It adds a special touch and creates a sophisticated or elevated ambiance. You can hire musicians such as singer-guitarists, acoustic duos, jazz and Rat Pack singers, string quartets, or saxophonists. These options provide a laid-back and relaxed musical backdrop for your guests to enjoy.

If you prefer recorded music, consider creating a playlist that complements the setting and maintains a mellow vibe. Keep the volume low to facilitate easy conversation.

Lawn Games

Lawn games are an excellent way to engage your guests and encourage interaction. Popular options include Jenga, croquet, cornhole, and lawn bowls. These games provide a fun and relaxed activity for guests of all ages.

Photo Booths

A photo booth is always a hit during cocktail hour. It provides guests with a fun activity and an opportunity to take memorable photos. You can include props, music, and instant print-out options to enhance the experience.

Magicians

Magicians are a unique and captivating form of entertainment. They can perform baffling card tricks, illusions, mind-reading, and comedy routines. Magicians are well-suited to cocktail hour as they can move between small groups of guests, providing intimate and interactive performances.

By incorporating these entertainment options, you can create a dynamic and enjoyable cocktail hour that your guests will remember.

Decor: High-top tables, lounge furniture, and florals

Decor plays a significant role in setting the mood for your cocktail hour. Here are some tips for creating a stylish and functional space for your guests to enjoy drinks and light bites:

High-Top Tables

High-top tables are a great way to encourage guests to mingle and provide a space for them to set down their drinks. Aim to scatter a few high-top tables throughout the cocktail area, with one table per 10 to 25 guests. This will ensure that guests have plenty of surfaces to rest their drinks and canteens without feeling crowded.

Lounge Furniture

Incorporating lounge furniture, such as low chairs, coffee tables, and sofas, can add a cosy and inviting vibe to your cocktail hour. It also provides varied seating options, especially for older guests or those who may need a break from standing. Consider creating an outdoor living room with armchairs, rugs, and vintage end tables for a unique and comfortable space.

Florals

Save your major florals for high-traffic areas such as the bar or food stations. This will create a visually appealing focal point and add a touch of elegance to the space. You can also brand these florals with your wedding logo for an Instagram-worthy backdrop. Additionally, floral installations near the entrance or strung from tree branches can make a stunning first impression.

Timing: Usually 60 minutes, but can be extended to accommodate travel or photos

A cocktail hour at a wedding is a great way to keep your guests entertained as you and your partner take photos. Typically, a cocktail hour lasts for 60 minutes, but it can be extended to 75 or even 90 minutes to accommodate travel between venues or finish wedding photos.

A cocktail hour is a great time for guests to mingle, relax, and have fun. It is usually held in a separate location from the ceremony, where guests can enjoy finger foods and drinks. It is also a good opportunity for guests to take pictures with each other. If you are hosting your wedding at a hotel or other large venue, you may have a strict time for your cocktail hour due to the venue's hours of operation. However, if you are hosting your wedding at home, you can keep your guests around for as long as you want!

During the cocktail hour, it is important to have enough tables and chairs for everyone, so people don't have to stand around. You should also consider having multiple bars with different types of drinks available and ensuring there are enough bartenders and servers to take care of food and drink orders. If your wedding venue has multiple rooms or areas, you can even have different themes for each one!

Dress code: Formal or casual, depending on the wedding's dress code

The dress code for cocktail hour at a wedding is typically dictated by the dress code for the wedding itself. If the wedding is formal, guests are expected to wear cocktail attire, which can range from long evening gowns to dressy jumpsuits or pantsuits. For men, tuxedos, suits, blazers, and slacks are all common choices.

On the other hand, if the wedding is more casual and less formal, guests have more flexibility. They can opt for a suit or blazer with slacks, or even jeans with a nice top and jacket. It's important to note that the level of formality may also vary depending on the time of day and the venue. For instance, a daytime wedding in a garden setting may call for a more relaxed dress code compared to an evening wedding in a luxurious ballroom.

To ensure that guests are clear on the expected attire, it's a good idea to include a dress code on the invitation or provide additional information on the wedding website. This helps guests feel prepared and ensures they can dress appropriately for the occasion.

Cocktail hour is a great opportunity for guests to mingle, relax, and enjoy drinks and appetizers before the formal reception begins. It's often a time when guests can let loose a little and chat with other guests before the main event. The dress code plays a role in setting the tone for this part of the wedding, so it's important to consider the level of formality desired for the entire event when deciding on the dress code for cocktail hour.

Whether formal or casual, guests should feel comfortable and able to move around easily during cocktail hour. It's a time for celebration and socializing, so choosing an outfit that aligns with the wedding's dress code while also allowing for comfort and ease of movement is key.

Frequently asked questions