Wedding Etiquette Forum

XP: Cocktail Hour

Don't want to jinx it, but FI and I think we may have found THE PLACE for our reception.  It's within our budget and is beautiful and EVERYTHING is included (including food, set-up, break-down, centerpieces, linens, china, and a event coordinator).  My parents are coming to look at it tomorrow, and hopefully we will be putting down a deposit.  It's gorgeous and overlooks the San Antonio Riverwalk. 
Anyways, my question is about the cocktail hour.  The church we are having our wedding in is about 20 minutes north of the potential reception site, and that's on a good traffic day.  The ceremony takes place at 2:30 in the afternoon, and should take no more than 45 minutes (Catholic wedding without the Mass).  If my calculations are right, that would put the end of the ceremony at around 3:15.  Then factor in about a 20-30 (or more depending on traffic) minute drive to downtown San Antonio (where the reception venue is) and parking.  

Would having the cocktail hour begin at 4:00 be pushing it (as far as it starting too late)?  We are having a meal and I don't want to serve it any earlier than 5:00 PM.  And that would also give the WP and me and FI plenty of time to take pictures at the church.  

The only reason I am even thinking about this is because I don't want to begin the CT hour too early and nobody be there.  I want to give people enough time to get downtown and find parking (there are a couple of lots within a block of the venue) and walk over there.  
knotsigpicture Anniversary

Re: XP: Cocktail Hour

  • Does your venue have the space to welcome your guests if they arrive early?  Can you pay a little extra to have a cocktail hour-and-a-half?  If I were a guest, I wouldn't mind having 15-30 min to kill, as long as I could mingle inside, with water and a place to sit.   Try not to make your guests wait around outside in that legendary Texas heat in August.
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  • I think that sounds fine.  While the ceremony may end at 3:15, people can take their time leaving.  Sometimes people stick around and chat with other friends/family members.  By time they mosey out to the car and drive down there, it'll probably be 4 o clock.

    BTW- I LOVE San Antonio.  I'm super curious as to what venue you're looking at, if you don't mind me asking.  It's such a beautiful city, and I love the riverwalk!  Sounds like it's going to be great!

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  • edited January 2012
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_xp-cocktail-hour?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:ca877f7a-e6d4-4716-9227-2e7747680924Post:d94445aa-2502-48bc-8fdb-e86971ee5a0a">Re: XP: Cocktail Hour</a>:
    [QUOTE]Does your venue have the space to welcome your guests if they arrive early?  Can you pay a little extra to have a cocktail hour-and-a-half?  If I were a guest, I wouldn't mind having 15-30 min to kill, as long as I could mingle inside, with water and a place to sit.   Try not to make your guests wait around outside in that legendary Texas heat in August.
    Posted by RaptorSLH[/QUOTE]

    <div>Lol.  I know about that Texas heat! :)  It's the top floor of a restaurant, so there is a place where guests could mingle if they wanted to.  But the way the entrance is set up, you don't even have to go through the restaurant to get to the reception area.  </div><div>
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    </div>
    knotsigpicture Anniversary
  • I think that sounds fine. Like others have said, people won't immediately be on their way to the reception once the ceremony ends - it takes a while to get out of the pews, get to your car, etc. Your timeline sounds good to me :)
  • You didn't take into consideration people lingering after, i have never seen a wedding that the guests just took off right after without visiting/having a smoke 

    Your timeline should be ok. 
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  • This was my response on Receptions:

    I think that's probably ok.  It will likely take people a few minutes to get out of the church and into their cars--especially if you have a receiving line.  

    One big thing--you should be providing parking for guests.  Does the venue not have its own lot?  I've been to San Antonio, and it sounds like a lovely spot, but I'm assuming the lots you're talking about are private paid lots?  I would not be too happy if I was a guest at your wedding and had to hunt for parking (either find something on the street or pay to put my car in a lot) and then walk a few blocks to your reception, all in my nice clothes.

    One tip about the venue--really think about what else you need.  The all inclusive venues are great (that's what we had), but keep in mind you may be paying extra for things like alcohol, chair covers (if you want them), and additional decorating you want aside from standard set up when you look at your budget.  

  • Your timeline sounds good to me!  I think we left about the same amount of time.  What surprised me is that we did not do pictures, but we excused the rows ourselves, which took a little time, but it was faster than a receiving line.  Most people were waiting to send us off, but there were a fair number of people at the reception when we got there.  We talked to the venue ahead of time, so they knew the earliest people would be there, but knew realistically the bulk of people would show up at the same time (which sounds like around 4 in your case).
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