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Cocktail hour

amybryan0617amybryan0617 member
First Comment
in Wedding Reception Forum

Hi everyone!

My wedding is coming up on May 17th and am having my wedding at a private barn with the ceremony outside and the reception inside. I just found out that there is no alcohol allowed outside so I am debating on what to do for my Cocktail hour:

1. Just have it inside the barn with alcoholic beverages; guests could mingle or sit in their reception seats during the hour (while we take photos)

OR

2. Have a non-alcoholic cocktail hour outside with the focal point of an old hay wagon.

 

I am not sure which route to take as I know people will want cocktails during cocktail hour; yet I was really hoping for a "reveal" of the barn and a receiving line as everyone was coming in.

 

I would really appreciate any advice or ideas!!! Thank you!

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Re: Cocktail hour

  • lyndausvilyndausvi mod
    First Anniversary First Answer 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    I would do option 1






    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
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  • manateehuggermanateehugger member
    First Anniversary First Comment First Answer 5 Love Its
    I would do option one. People wont care about a big "reveal" as much as having a yummy drink while you take photos. Can you do the receiving line as people exit the ceremony instead? Or table visits? 
    image
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  • MyNameIsNotMyNameIsNot member
    First Comment First Anniversary First Answer 5 Love Its
    As a guest, I would much rather have a drink than have a big reveal of the room. Most of your guests are more interested in socializing and having a good time than in your decor.
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  • JoanE2012JoanE2012 member
    First Anniversary First Comment First Answer 5 Love Its
    amybryan0617 said:

    Hi everyone!

    My wedding is coming up on May 17th and am having my wedding at a private barn with the ceremony outside and the reception inside. I just found out that there is no alcohol allowed outside so I am debating on what to do for my Cocktail hour:

    1. Just have it inside the barn with alcoholic beverages; guests could mingle or sit in their reception seats during the hour (while we take photos)

    OR

    2. Have a non-alcoholic cocktail hour outside with the focal point of an old hay wagon.

     

    I am not sure which route to take as I know people will want cocktails during cocktail hour; yet I was really hoping for a "reveal" of the barn and a receiving line as everyone was coming in.

     

    I would really appreciate any advice or ideas!!! Thank you!

    Drinks indoors, hands down!  Food and drinks are way more important than decor to guests.  Don't worry about a "big reveal".  Your guests will still see all the decor when they stroll in.
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  • amybryan0617amybryan0617 member
    First Comment
    Thank you for all of the feedback! I will be the first at the venue to do it this way so I was a bit hesitant but now I am reassured- I will do an indoor cocktail hour and do table visits :)
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