Cocktail hour wording alternative?

brianabrad

So I’m trying to come up with a nice cost effective way to entertain guest for a little while between our ceremony and reception. Because we are having a Catholic wedding (no mass), we are running into the Catholic gap. We thought it would be nice to offer guest the ability to head directly to the reception site and have a few snacks or hors d'oeuvres but because of cost concerns we would not necessarily open the bar until dinner.

Our general timeline for the day would be ceremony at 2:30 – 3:00, receiving line and guest see us offer at the church, reception site is about 20 minute drive so most of them around arrive about 3:30 / 4ish. They could mingle and eat a little for 45 minutes or so while we have some pictures done and then we would plan to arrive at the reception location no later than 5, maybe do the cake cutting first and then serve dinner about 5:30 / 6:00ish. Toast, dancing, etc to follow. 

What do you ladies think? I don’t want to call this a cocktail hour since it really isn’t. Would it be okay to call it a mingle mixer or something else fun and creative. Is anyone else doing something similar? HELP!

CA2MT4EveR

I don't think your timing is completely unreasonable, though I don't think the cake should be cut until after the meal. 

I have been to many weddings where the cocktail hour was only beer or wine, or that it was a cash bar during that time.  I know I will get flamed for saying that, but I don't mind a cash bar

brianabrad

Thanks for the post. FI and I are on a budget so we plan to offer beer, wine, soda and water and then a cash bar will be there for mixed drinks.

Any idea on the wording?

xoxob

mingling hour sounds good, then just put a note that hor d'oeuvres will be served.

brianabrad

Very true points. I guess my thought was that I know some guest don't like beer or wine and would like to have a drink even though it isnt offered for free.

noonescookie

In response to the original question, I think "light refreshments will be served," would hint that your guests shouldn't expect to really get their party on until later.

A compromise option is to offer a "signature cocktail" for guests who won't drink the beer or wine. Check with the venue to see how much they would charge to include just the one drink, but not a full open bar.

Unless your venue hotel is unreasonably expensive for your guests without your partial contribution, I'd just go with the extra open bar time. Adding open bar time is also the type of thing that venues are generally happy to accommodate last minute (you paying more for something they already have on hand = happy vendor). So you could stick to your plan for now, and change your mind later when you know how well you're doing on budget.