Cocktail hour ? How to ?

armywifeplusthree · October 2012

So we are only doing snack foods for our receptions and I don't plan to have a cocktail hour since what you typically serve during that hour is what we will be having for our reception food. So I was wondering what I do to take up the time between everyone getting to our reception and us arriving. We will have our reception at a different location than our ceremony. I don't want the people just sitting there waiting. LOL. Anyone else here not having a cocktail/hors d’oeuvres hour ?!?! If so what are YOU doing to entertain your guest ?

Thanks !

DMoore421 · October 2012

I think my first question is what time is the wedding / reception? You need to have enough food for dinner if people are going to be there at dinner time ... Especially if alcohol is going to be involved.

armywifeplusthree · October 2012

we are getting married at 2pm. So about 3 or 4. We arent having alcohol or a meal just finger foods/snacks.

Maybone · October 2012

Try the ettiquitte board. They are helpful.

I think you should try and have as many pictures taken before the ceremony as possible. Consider a first look, and you can have all your pictures done before hand. This will lessen the time your guests will have to wait for your arrival.

How were you planning on serving the food? Passed hor derves? Plated? A serve yourself kind of deal? Will guests be seated or will it be a more casual seat yourself type thing? Besides the food, what else were you planning for your reception? Any toasts, dancing, cake cutting? How long is your reception?

I would say have drinks being served (punch, tea, water, soda) for your guests upon arrival. Perhaps, have some small finger foods out (veggies, cheese and crackers, bruschetta) if your guests will be waiting any length of time before your arrival. After you get there you can bring out more foods and make sure to keep the drinks available.

I think figuring out the timeline for your day is important here. Decide what you will and will not be doing and work backwards. (i.e. reception ends at 6 so dancing from 4-6, food from 3-4, ceremony at 2, etc.)

Jlp818 · October 2012

I like the idea of having lemonades, water, punches in maybe some pretty dispensers. Are you having music? Maybe have some light music playing so they can have a mocktail hour. Maybe a veggie or cheese and crackers. When the reception does start you can have the other heavier snacks hor d'eorves out when the ceremony starts.

How long will it be before you arrive? Would you consider doing most of your photos before?

mpickl · October 2012

I think a big part of this will be how you present it to your guests. Are there things to do or see between the ceremony and the reception? Bars, resturants, city sights that you can recommend to your guests to fill up the time between the two events? You can put that info on an insert in your invitations or on your wedding website, then spread the word through the grapevine that people don't need to "rush" to the reception. Just a thought!

armywifeplusthree · October 2012

Well our reception location is about 6 miles from the church. There is nothing around to see as it will be at a fire department. Yes we will have music and a dj. We plan to do all the dancing , toasting and cake cutting. It will be self-serve for the food. The guest wont be seated. They will sit wherever they want. Right now our reception will be 3 or 4 hours. Not decided yet since our dj is 4 hours since that's what the package offered

I guess this is just what I'm use to. FI or myself have never been to a wedding where they seat you, pass around food or any of that "fancy" stuff. Plus we are trying to save. ( I have been to a few weddings and they are all my family, so this shouldn't be weird to anyone since this is how they have had theirs too )

Jlp818 · October 2012

How long is the gap between the ceremony and reception?

jessica2244 · October 2012

i think i might be a good idea to put out cold apps like cheese and crackers and fruit during your cocktail hour and then bring out the hot stuff during the reception. that way people will be able to munch while they wait for you guys.

armywifeplusthree · October 2012

Well the ceremony is at 2 so we will have the reception at 3 or 4. We haven't decided yet. probably 330 would be best. We wont be having any hot food.

Heres what we will be having ( so far this is what Ive come up with )

Fruit trays
cheese ball with crackers
cheese cubes
ham roll ups
chicken salad sandwiches
pimento cheese sandwiches ( this is a maybe )
veggie tray with dips
cookie tray
nuts & mints

This is all I could think of for snack foods that dont take forever to prepare.

Maybone · October 2012

Well, I would say if your guests have to wait any amount of time, have the drinks at the ready and the veggies, fruit and cheese and crackers out. After you arrive and do any announcements and toasts have the rest of the apps brought out. The sandwiches are more filling. I would maybe try to think of one or 2 more filling options. After dancing begins and the party is really started have the desserts brought out, this usually signifies the end of the party.

Cocktail hour ? How to ?

Re: Cocktail hour ? How to ?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards