Cocktail hour

ChristineM130 · February 2012

This is going to get a huge backlash and doesn't even apply to my own wedding since we are having it at lunch time, but it's been bothering me and I need to get it off my chest:

I don't really like traditional cocktail hours. Seems like every one I go to, I just spend most of the hour waiting in line for a drink with a bunch of people I don't know, trying to chase down waiters for appetizers without losing my place in line, and counting down the minutes until I get to eat. And no one else looks like they're having fun, either. I'd rather just go directly to the reception. I usually skip the cocktail hour if I can!

Am I alone in feeling this way? It might just be me not liking doing stuff like that in general; I feel that way at the bar, too.

Sorry about the poll, I pressed the wrong buttons before I was finished and now it's stuck like this and I am too retarded to fix it.

JoelandLeann · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cocktail-hour-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:842bf284-6d20-44f9-969c-3b10f159404fPost:0a2d2143-cdb1-4669-889e-f03525e4b80c">Re: Cocktail hour</a>:
[QUOTE]Your poll sucks. There is no answer for no. I like cocktail hours. It means people have something to do while the B&G go and take photos. I'm sorry if this came off rude. I'm a bit KUI tonight. So I'm just being honest and completely blunt.
Posted by crfb87[/QUOTE]

You made me laugh. Thank you!

I enjoy cocktail hour as well! Something to do other than waiting at the hotel until dinner starts.

coopsbaby · February 2012

I'm voting no as well. I get myself a nice little plate full of yummies, f and I take turns going to get drinks, stand around, chat, mingle...

Much better than sitting at a table at the reception waiting for the bridal party to come and join us!

musicalsunlight · February 2012

I don't have a strong opinion either way. We had one at our wedding but it was more of a "cocktail half hour". As long as it is truly an hour and not forever long, I don't see a problem.

kviccora · February 2012

i agree that there shoud be a no. our coctail hour has so much food and booze, people are gonna be full before dinner

JoelandLeann · February 2012

I could use a good cocktail hour right now.

andra loves andre · February 2012

you girls are something else! lol

as for the cocktail hour thing, I don't mind it either. I love being able to mingle a bit. If it were super long and without food I'd probably be bored eventually, but so far I havent run into that.

DramaGeek · February 2012

I've actually never been to a wedding reception with a formal cocktail hour. Everyone just goes to the reception, finds a table, settles in, etc.

LD1970 · February 2012

If it's done right, it's the best part.

AdeleDazeem · February 2012

I'm not a huge fan of cocktail hours, but I totally understand their purpose.

I'm usually quite hungry by the time the ceremony rolls around that I'm really interested in sitting and being served a meal rather than chase down a waiter and elbow out a drink.

pgcp · February 2012

I'm thinking of the last wedding I attended. We got to the reception site, I got a glass of wine, my husband a glass of beer, and went and found our table and put our stuff down. We then went and got some appetizers and chatted with old friends. I'm not seeing what would be lame about that. Then the bride and groom with their wedding party and families arrived, dinner was served, cake was cut, and the dance floor opened up. Sounds like a good time to me.

StephBeanWed61502 · February 2012

Cocktail hours (at least around here) are the most delicious part of the day. AND, since the bride and groom are off taking pictures and whatnot, you have the added bonus of getting to eat and drink without being interrupted by 14 spotlight dances, a garter and bouquet toss, and whatever other stuff the B&G can think of to interrupt eating and drinking. Cocktail hours rock.

ChristineM130 · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cocktail-hour-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:842bf284-6d20-44f9-969c-3b10f159404fPost:0a2d2143-cdb1-4669-889e-f03525e4b80c">Re: Cocktail hour</a>:
[QUOTE]Your poll sucks. There is no answer for no. I like cocktail hours. It means people have something to do while the B&G go and take photos. I'm sorry if this came off rude. I'm a bit KUI tonight. So I'm just being honest and completely blunt.
Posted by crfb87[/QUOTE]

I know the poll sucks! I accidentally added it before I was ready and now I can't change it! I'm such a dum dum, I know!

junieolive · February 2012

I love cocktail hours! I think they are the best part of the wedding usually. This may have something to do with the fact I am NYC Italian and the cocktail hour usually has as much food as the sit down dinner, I usually am too full to even eat the dinner. My FI and I are probably having a cocktail/dessert/ open bar reception. Heavy cocktail hour(s) and a yummy yummy huge dessert spread. Of course it's going to start later in the evening (7:30 ceremony, 8pm cocktail reception).

AdeleDazeem · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cocktail-hour-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:842bf284-6d20-44f9-969c-3b10f159404fPost:5e8448fd-6d61-43c8-bfa1-4d1dc6e0b052">Re: Cocktail hour</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Cocktail hour : For what?
Posted by edielaura[/QUOTE]

The bar line.

tayylor65 · February 2012

I love cocktail hours. It sounds like you haven't been to a well catered one. You should never have to "hunt down" the appetizers (if they're butlered), they should come to you. If a cocktail hour is so large that there are lines at the bar, there should be multiple bars. Cocktail hour is a wonderful way to be able to mingle as opposed to the reception when people are generally seated with the same 6-7 people. However I can see if you don't enjoy going to a bar with friends you probably wouldn't like a cocktail hour so I think your opinion is of the minority.

lyndausvi · February 2012

I've never met a cocktail hour I didn't like.

I really don't know what you are talking about. Seriously. Sure the first round of drinks seems to take a long time because everyone wants a drink at the exact same time. It's normally over with pretty quickly. Round 2 is easier because everyone starts drinking at different rates. Never had a problem with food either.

::shrugs::

rogo8207 · February 2012

It also depends on what you have at your cocktail hour... we are having it at an air & space museum and we there will be rides! If you have a photo booth, artist or other fun things you will be able to make it more of a fun event for those people who might otherwise find it lame!

stiniemac · February 2012

I'm more excited for my cocktail hour than the reception! Mashed potato bar? Fajitas station? Awesome! I'm just sad I won't be there!

Cocktail hour

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