Cocktail Hour & Reception

knottie007d34c00d384259

Hello! 

We are planning a week-long destination wedding for May 2022. We are only expecting about 20 guests. Neither of our families really "party" and we do not dance so we would like to do something a little untraditional for the cocktail hour and reception. Rather than having a formal reception, we were thinking of just having one long table sit down dinner where we can all eat together and enjoy each other's company. However, we would do the more traditional "wedding stuff" during the cocktail hour (which may be a little longer than an hour). I am trying to figure out what we should do during the cocktail hour and what we should do during the sit-down dinner. 

short+sassy

Usually a cocktail hour, between the ceremony end and start of the reception, is done so that the guests have some refreshments while the couple and WP are doing pictures.

However, it sounds like you all don't need that extra time and will be transitioning straight from the ceremony to the reception.  It's fine to have some of the wedding traditions you all want to do before the sit-down dinner; however, you should have refreshments available right away.  They don't need to be alcoholic.  I'd also recommend some light nibbles, like veggie and fruit trays.  

ei34

knottie007d34c00d384259 said:

Hello! 

We are planning a week-long destination wedding for May 2022. We are only expecting about 20 guests. Neither of our families really "party" and we do not dance so we would like to do something a little untraditional for the cocktail hour and reception. Rather than having a formal reception, we were thinking of just having one long table sit down dinner where we can all eat together and enjoy each other's company. However, we would do the more traditional "wedding stuff" during the cocktail hour (which may be a little longer than an hour). I am trying to figure out what we should do during the cocktail hour and what we should do during the sit-down dinner. 

All you need for either cocktails or dinner is plenty of food, drinks, and a seat for each guest (esp at dinner).  It sounds like you have that covered.  Can you give examples of traditional “wedding stuff” that you’ll be doing during cocktail hour?  Do you mean MOH/BM toasts, first dance and cake cutting?  I can’t think of anything else.  The one long dinner table for all guests gives a dinner party vibe- you really don’t need to add anything else to your reception.

MyNameIsNot

I would say that if you and your partner want to do a welcome toast or if you're going to be introduced, you'd want to do that during the cocktail hour. If you're doing a first dance, you could also do that before everyone sits down to eat. With 20 guests, I'd assume the majority of the guests will also be needed for photos, so you could do those group shots in the same space where people are milling around getting a drink or bite. With 20 people, you should also have time to greet everyone, but you could just as easily do a "table visit" around the large dinner table. 

I would do the remaining toasts and cake cutting while people are at the table, maybe between courses. If you're doing anything like tossing a bouquet or parent dances, I'd do that after dinner, but I'm getting the impression those don't really fit the vibe you're targeting.