Cocktail Hour

brandichamberlain

Is food a must?  We are having our bar opened (beer and wine) and it will be quickly followed by dinner. 

MattsPenguin

How long is this cocktail hour?  Really you just don't want people to be drinking on empty stomachs.  That makes for a bunch of drunk people.

dumdumfroggie

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cocktail-hour-4?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:18cc708d-5eb4-4895-be26-3f8146ccbbc4Post:e70f403e-396a-4a31-95de-3e54c66c490b">Re: Cocktail Hour</a>:
[QUOTE]How long is this cocktail hour?  Really you just don't want people to be drinking on empty stomachs.  That makes for a bunch of drunk people.
Posted by MattsPenguin[/QUOTE]

<div>Exactly this.</div><div>
</div><div>I went to a wedding once where the pictures after the ceremony took much longer than anticipated, by the time the WP returned, most of the guests were highly intoxicated.</div><div>
</div><div>I would probably provide some snacks just in case.  It can be something simple, chex mix, a chips and salsa bar, whatever.</div>

trixie549

My reception coordinator said that you don't want to leave people standing around drinking for more than 45 minutes without some type of food. If your cocktail hour is going to be a true hour-long event, then yes, you should provides some hors d'ouevres for your guests to tide them over until dinner.

[Deleted User]

I'd say you could get away with it for 15 minutes with a hard stop.

brandichamberlain

Our timeline is: 4:30-5:00 for the ceremony
5:00-5:30 for travel to reception area
5:30-6 :30 for cocktail hour (thought it had to be one hour)
and then dinner.

I suppose the consensus is that yes, I need some food! I'll talk to my caterer.  Any suggestions on appetizers to serve?  We are doing a pasta bar for our dinner.

MattsPenguin

Jill, that's what I was thinking.  15 minutes of only drinking would be okay, but up after that, you're going to have a bunch of drunk guests.

tenofcups4me

Yes, with that timeframe, you'll definitely need food.

Calypso1977

the cocktail hour isnt even required.  you can go straight to dinner.  the only reason to have a cocktail hour is for pictures.  you can always do you pictures before the ceremony.

sleblanc72

With that time frame I would definitely plan on some food.

krizzo17

if you're having a pasta bar for dinner, the obvious choice is antipasto! Have some breads, cheeses, meats, and olives. All good finger foods, and leads well into the meal.

MattsPenguin

If everyone arrives at 5:30 (including the B&G and bridal party) and is ready for dinner, by all means eat dinner.  But if you built in the hour for pictures, then you should have some food.

Inexpensive hors d'oeuvres are typically some sort of cheese and cracker display.  Maybe with some veggies and fruit.

ETA:  I like the antipasto bar suggestion.  It should be relatively inexpensive and fits the theme of the meal.

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cocktail-hour-4?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:18cc708d-5eb4-4895-be26-3f8146ccbbc4Post:41ee5333-2f55-4b8c-9ce8-74181a1b50f1">Re: Cocktail Hour</a>:
[QUOTE]5:30-6 :30 for cocktail hour (thought it had to be one hour) and then dinner.
Posted by brandichamberlain[/QUOTE]
I'm not sure I understand the "quickly followed by dinner" comment in the OP, then. That gave me the impression you were doing a very brief cocktail hour.

Since it will be an hour, definitely serve food. You could do a cheese tray, some passed stuff - really you should check with your caterer on what their offerings are. I wouldn't skimp too much in volume with an hour-long time frame, but you don't have to go with their fanciest option either.

dumdumfroggie

Stuffed mushrooms

bruchetta

antipasta (?) veggie platter... olives, cheese, etc

brandichamberlain

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cocktail-hour-4?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:18cc708d-5eb4-4895-be26-3f8146ccbbc4Post:08c2a026-c88f-4378-a72d-9b8e06f10951">Re: Cocktail Hour</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Cocktail Hour : I'm not sure I understand the "quickly followed by dinner" comment in the OP, then. That gave me the impression you were doing a very brief cocktail hour. Since it will be an hour, definitely serve food. You could do a cheese tray, some passed stuff - really you should check with your caterer on what their offerings are. I wouldn't skimp too much in volume with an hour-long time frame, but you don't have to go with their fanciest option either.
Posted by daffodil_jill[/QUOTE]

I understand how that is confusing.  I just meant that dinner will be set up during the end of the cocktail hour and promplty served at 6:30 sharp.

courtchace7

Definately need something to munch on but it doesnt have to be anything big. Some simple things that would be a good option: cheese/crakers, veggies/fruit, antipasto, bruschetta. Usually, im happy with a glass of wine and some cheese!

Ljacks87

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cocktail-hour-4?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:18cc708d-5eb4-4895-be26-3f8146ccbbc4Post:41ee5333-2f55-4b8c-9ce8-74181a1b50f1">Re: Cocktail Hour</a>:
[QUOTE]Our timeline is: 4:30-5:00 for the ceremony 5:00-5:30 for travel to reception area 5:30-6 :30 for cocktail hour (thought it had to be one hour) and then dinner. I suppose the consensus is that yes,<strong> I need some food</strong>! I'll talk to my caterer.  Any suggestions on appetizers to serve?  We are doing a pasta bar for our dinner.
Posted by brandichamberlain[/QUOTE]

Haha good decision! It's hard for me to make suggestions about specific appetizers, since I don't have much information about the theme of the wedding, your personal taste or budget. In general, it's nice to have 2-3 passed appetizers and a display (such as cheese and crackers, or fruit and cheese). We served  chicken satay skewers and spanikopita as passed appetizers and had a display of cheese/fruit/crackers.

If you want to keep with the Italian theme, you could serve any combination of the following (they're not technical terms, but you get the idea):

- mini bruschetta
- mini caprese salad (on a skewer, layer a slice of tomato, basil leaf and fresh mozarella)
- Chicken parmesan bites
-antipasti display
- meatballs
- mini fried ravioli
-  spinach and mushroom tarts

I'm sure your caterer can help you more. Good luck and have fun with it!

Edit: Just saw your comment on serving dinner at 6:30 pm sharp. Good luck with that. We ran about 20 mins behind schedule for the reception because of pictures/chaos, etc. All the more reason to serve some food!

[Deleted User]

Ooh, I really second the caprese idea. It can't be too expensive, it's delicious, and it fits with the theme. Good call.

ootmother2

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cocktail-hour-4?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:18cc708d-5eb4-4895-be26-3f8146ccbbc4Post:4afe6280-77d5-4dc9-b853-fe0ad58c319d">Re: Cocktail Hour</a>:
[QUOTE]the cocktail hour isnt even required.  you can go straight to dinner.  the only reason to have a cocktail hour is for pictures.  you can always do you pictures before the ceremony.
Posted by Calypso1977[/QUOTE]

I've never attended a wedding where the cocktail hour was just to do pictures.  Generally it's time for the hosts to mingle with their guests.

And food is necessary if anyone is drinking.  Many places have laws against serving alcohol without food

dumdumfroggie

I want to go to this wine bar CRFB.  It sounds awesome!

brandichamberlain

Thank you everyone for the imput and suggestions!  I've sent an email to my caterer so hopefully they won't break the bank.  

dumdumfroggie

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cocktail-hour-4?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:18cc708d-5eb4-4895-be26-3f8146ccbbc4Post:5ae42e61-93f5-4f21-a849-1c9b3ccd9fec">Re: Cocktail Hour</a>:
[QUOTE]You can come out and visit anytime, Froggie.  I will take you.  =D They have awesome salads too.
Posted by crfb87[/QUOTE]

<div>Whoo hoo!</div>

john&julie

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cocktail-hour-4?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:18cc708d-5eb4-4895-be26-3f8146ccbbc4Post:326ab84b-ef67-4ec9-af1c-a513ff676bd7">Re: Cocktail Hour</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Cocktail Hour : I've never attended a wedding where the cocktail hour was just to do pictures.  Generally it's time for the hosts to mingle with their guests. And food is necessary if anyone is drinking.  Many places have laws against serving alcohol without food
Posted by ootmother2[/QUOTE]

That's funny to me because I have never been to a cocktail hour where the bride and groom attended the cocktail hour (sometimes they show up during the last 10 mins or so).  It has always seemed to me like it was time for the guests to have a drink and some apps while the B&G took their last pics.