What to call my reception??

AbbyMLC

So we are currently thinking of going for a less formal type reception. We want to do a mix of passed hot hors d'oeuvres and a few cold stations. We are hoping to have a venue that will let us bring our own alcohol so we can have an open bar. Now my question has several parts so to start, do I call this a cocktail reception?? If so...does there have to be a variety of cocktails available?
I was feeling a little overwhelmed about how to stock the bar/what we needed to supply to make it like an open bar so we were starting to think of only offering beer, wine and maybe a "signature cocktail" or something along those lines. Do you think that would be okay if we aren't having a plated meal? Or do we need to provide more cocktails because of the style of reception we're having? And also how would you word the invitation if you didn't call it a cocktail reception?

We have plenty of time to figure this out but I'm a bit of planning maniac and want to really get some solid ideas in place.

I'd appreciate any and all input!!!
Thanks!

RoyalOrient

Cocktail receptions are very popular down South. They are a good alternative to the traditional sit down plated dinner. Since you plan on hosting an open bar, it is very important to find a venue that would allow you to bring in the alcohol. Not too many venues allow it but there are a few like Easton Beach Rotunda, Glen Manor House ect. Also some caterers have in their contract that they are the exclusive provider of the bar so be sure to look into that as well. In R.I you will need to hire TIPS certied bar tenders and buy liquor liability insurance (fairly inexpensive) or use the bar tenders' liquor license (Class P).  As for the proper etiquette to wording the invite, "Please join us for a cocktail reception after the ceremony" is simple and direct. Keep in mind that guests will drink more at a cocktail reception - hence the name and there should be a good selection of drinks including a few choices of foreign and domestic beer, wines, and specialty cocktails. I suggest you go heavy on the appetizers too. Hot and cold stations with several selections of passed hor d'oeuvres. A dessert bar isn't also a bad idea too. G.L

URIsweethearts

just please please make sure there is enough food!
and communicate it to guests that light food and drinks will be all that is available.

i went to my cousin's wedding in SC a few years ago and it was like this.
but were NOT told it would be like that.
it was stations, with some people with trays and they did have a cake, but the absolute worst part of all -something we still talk about as we are planning my wedding - is that there were not enough chairs or tables.
once you entered the room, there were no placecards, which i get it - not some people's thing- but then you still need to provide enough chairs and and tables for everyone to sit if they choose.

i was fighting with other guests for chairs so my family and i could all sit together - it was a MESS.

AbbyMLC

URI: Yikes! that does sound a little rough.
We were absolutely planning on having enough seating for everyone and most likely still "assigned" seating to cut down on any such chaos. I've heard lots of horror stories about not enough seating. We will probably have a fair amount of older people that I know won't want to be standing and mingling the whole time.

Royal: Thanks for the tips of the bartender, I was aware of the licenses/insurance needed so no surprises there. I didn't realize the part about the caterer though, so that's good info!

It will probably be a little bit of challenge to find a place that will let us bring our own alcohol so if you have any more suggestions of places you know you can bring in the caterer and/or alcohol I'd really appreciate the input. Oooh I'm loving the desert bar idea!

We will definitely go heavy on the food. I'm always a paranoid party planner and end up with more food than I need, I'm hoping the caterer will help figure out appropriate numbers as well. I do realize the costs can add up to as much as a plated meal.
I guess I'm a bit of a people pleaser but the whole hors d'oeuvres instead of a meal idea is because 1. Me and the fiance love that kind of food and want a more informal, fun, party atmosphere and 2. I am obsessive about giving people lots of options for things so no one is left out.

We'll most likely have it later in the evening so it isn't at a meal time but we will absolutely include a reminder/wording in the invitation.

So do you think we can have a few special cocktails to choose from or just go the more full bar route to let people order anything?

Thanks for your help!!

dberrett

Love the idea! Given the atmosphere you're creating, I'd also strongly recommend renting a few "high boy tables" - you know the tall ones people can stand around. That way, as people are mingling, they can still eat, drink, AND chat without having all hands occupied with a bev and food. My reception place only offered 3 high boys and we rented 3 more to accomodate my 125 guests, and it was the best thing we did. Everyone was more spread out and much happier.
RoyalOrient mentioned two venues you should definitely consider. Also check out the North Beach Club House in Narragansett and the Eisenhower House in Newport - it's by Fort Adams. They both allow you to bring in caterers.
As for the cocktail options, I'd definitely recommend a wide array of beers (like from Guinness down to Bud), different varietals of wine. I would think it would be cheaper to offer a few specialty cocktails, but you'd probably make more people happy by having a full bar. So it depends on which is more important to you. If you go the full bar route, you should look into the difference in cost of high end alcohol vs. well. Example, it would probably be cheaper to offer a really cheap vodka than Kettle One or Grey Goose. If you go the specialty route, don't forget to include some "non-girly" drinks, like gin and tonic. Not everyone likes a good cosmo lol! Just some thoughts.
With respect to food, I've also found that it's better to have more options but less of each option. As you said, that allows everyone to find something they like, plus it *seems* like there's tons of food b/c there's always something new coming out of the kitchen!

McRogol

This is exactly what we're doing!  For all the same reasons - the sit-down dinner and 15 round tables of 10 is just not our thing.  We're having 6 large round tables for our family and older guests - reserved for them.  Then a mix of low cocktail tables with chairs and high cocktail tables - there won't be a seating chart.   Our caterer is serving the food over a period of time, so we're hoping that it will feel more party with people eating, drinking, dancing, mingling than a wedding "reception" with a specific agenda. 

ANDI have been concerned about the wording on the invite as well.  While we're no where near ready to make them yet, we're thinking something along the lines of "Ceremony at 7pm Please join us for cocktails, hor'deourves, and dancing to follow"  I'm hoping with the ceremony beginning at 7ish, and the appropriate wording on the invite our guests will get the idea.

We're getting married at The Towers, it MUST be an open bar but some of the caterers we spoke to will let you bring your own alcohol - they'll provide the mixers and staff.  The catch is that you have to drop the alcohol off to them and pick up what's left the following day.  The caterer carries the alcohol insurance, and so they must be in charge of it at the venue.

I'd love to hear about what you decide, since it sounds like we're having a similar party!!