Cocktail Hour

When planning your cocktail hour, always consider your guests idle time.

The long wait doesn’t have to be, that!

The intended dual purpose of the cocktail hour is to entertain your guests, while you take your scenic wedding photos, or a break from the oncoming chaos! Yes there are many factors that go into a successful cocktail hour that my friends at The Knot get into here.

But we’re not here to talk about that part.

How to bridge the gap.

Many times I have seen events that have way to much time between ceremony and reception, assuming that guests will find something to do. But let’s look at it from a possible guest perspective. You’re all dressed up, ready to reconnect, laugh, cry, and celebrate! You show up right after lunch time to the ceremony venue. The ceremony takes exactly one hour…it’s the waiting for it to begin that makes it feel longer. Now instead of going directly into the cocktail hour. You find that you have to another venue for a reception that is 2 hours away in start time, and you’re still in those dress clothes.

Do you go have an early snack that will spoil the oncoming dinner? Do you have a pre cocktail hour drink somewhere? What if you have kids with you? Do you go home and risk getting to comfortable to go back out? Are you not from there and expected to go shopping? Is it up to everyone to just figure it out?

Without direction your guests will be dealing with many of these questions. While trying to get through the possible 8 to 10 hour workday journey you have planned for them to join you on. Take care in your planning to make sure your guests have the best possible experience WITH you. Never leave your guests just TRYING to get through the day!

However you plan your special day. Make sure everyone leaves on a high note of non stop, well occupied, FUN!

You will also find more wedding reception timeline tips here!