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cocktail hour=required?

Heather8505Heather8505 member
First Comment
in Wedding Cakes & Food Forum
are cocktail hours necessary?  We are having an evening reception, but have worked a timeline that does not have a cocktail hour.  Neither FI nor I really want a cocktail hour or have ever been to a wedding that had one and we would rather spend the money having a late night snack that would be more our personality.  Plus, with our budget it would be a nice snack or half@ss cocktail hour (like 2 pp).  However, we have a couple people that seem to think they are "necessary in 2011"

EDIT: It is not a plated dinner
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Re: cocktail hour=required?

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    SD3194SD3194 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    If your reception starts immediately after your ceremony I don't see the need for a cocktail hour. Usually, there's a cocktail hour to entertain guests while the wedding party takes pictures so I assume you're taking yours before the ceremony.

    I've been to a ton of weddings and have never been to a cocktail hour that offered anything more than alcohol. It may just be the norm in my area but I don't think it's imperative to offer hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour especially if it's not in your budget. As long as you offer drinks I think it will be fine.
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    Miracle520Miracle520
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I think as long as the reception is immediately following the ceremony, it would be okay. Cocktails are standard here because of photos. We have one so our ballroom can be flipped.
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    TEA&CoTEA&Co member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_cocktail-hourrequired?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:0c556fd4-dec6-4107-87af-119bc1b92ddcPost:bc97b64a-6a9c-4c1d-8500-cd9d8fedd881">Re: cocktail hour=required?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I think as long as the reception is immediately following the ceremony, it would be okay. Cocktails are standard here because of photos.
    Posted by Miracle520[/QUOTE]

    Ditto!  I've never been to a reception that did not have a cocktail hour, but I don't think I would miss it...
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    topchef33topchef33 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I if I have to wait around for an hour, I would hope there would be cocktails and apps.

    If the reception starts right after the ceremony then I don't see the need.

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    Ashes_3Ashes_3 member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its First Answer First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I agree with pp that if the reception is immediately after the ceremony, your fine. The cocktail hour is for the guest to have something to do while you take pictures. No one wants to just sit there & look cute!
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    JGreenfan2000JGreenfan2000 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    were not having one we are doing first look pics then after the ceremony we are going to the reception. 
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    kaeshakaesha
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Under no circumstances would I offer alcohol without offering food as well. That's just asking for early drunken shenanigans. I'm all for having a good time, but getting that party started too early usually ends in messiness. Guests need something in their stomachs to absorb the alcohol if you want 'em to stick around for the rest of the festivities.
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    katenadjohnkatenadjohn member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    as long as you're taking pictures BEFORE the ceremony and not after, there's no need for a cocktail hour!  :)
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    StephieBowStephieBow member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    We are having one because we have a gap between the ceremony and dinner and we need to time "receive people" and welcome them to our event.  We are literally having a 1 hour cocktail time and then into dinner.
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    mandi921vhmandi921vh member
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Only necessary if the reception isn't immediately after the ceremony. Usually people do cocktail hour because that is when the bride and groom go take photos, so the guests mingle, have apps, and drinks while they wait.
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    kalizoombakalizoomba
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    usually most of the photos are taken while the guests are in cocktail hour. Usually, photos are taken before you eat, so if you drip something on your dress, there's not a huge red sploch on your dress during all the photos. If you take photos before the ceremony or something, I don't think a cocktail hour is required
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    lthom17lthom17
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I don't think you need one.  But, as a guest, I would like to get a drink ASAP after the ceremony.  :)
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    mellimel19mellimel19
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_cocktail-hourrequired?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:0c556fd4-dec6-4107-87af-119bc1b92ddcPost:2ea6115e-b983-439f-baf7-921a26dbae19">Re: cocktail hour=required?</a>:
    [QUOTE]If your reception starts immediately after your ceremony I don't see the need for a cocktail hour. Usually, there's a cocktail hour to entertain guests while the wedding party takes pictures so I assume you're taking yours before the ceremony. I've been to a ton of weddings and have never been to a cocktail hour that offered anything more than alcohol. It may just be the norm in my area but I don't think it's imperative to offer hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour especially if it's not in your budget. As long as you offer drinks I think it will be fine.
    Posted by SD3194[/QUOTE]

    I agree that if the reception starts right after the ceremony, there is no need for a cocktail hour if you don't want one. However, if you are having one, I do suggest at least serving light apps or hors d'oeuvres. You don't want your guests getting drunk on an empty stomach before the party has even begun! It's interesting to see how much things vary by region on these boards. SD3194, you've never been to a cocktail hour that served more than alcohol, and I've never been to one that didn't have any type of food in addition to the alcohol. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" />
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    Happy420Happy420
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Instead of a "cocktail hour", we are starting dinner at the reception as soon as the guests arrive. While we finish up pictures, which will only be about 30 minutes, the guests can start to eat and/or mingle.
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    Heather8505Heather8505 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_cocktail-hourrequired?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:0c556fd4-dec6-4107-87af-119bc1b92ddcPost:c2d14738-d7e3-4ac2-ad64-475baa5f0f19">Re: cocktail hour=required?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Instead of a "cocktail hour", we are starting dinner at the reception as soon as the guests arrive. While we finish up pictures, which will only be about 30 minutes, the guests can start to eat and/or mingle.
    Posted by Happy420[/QUOTE]

    that's kind of what we're thinking....since it's a buffet and stuff it's not like everyone has to sit at the same time and eat but food and drinks will be available
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    HYDROPHILEHYDROPHILE
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    We're having our wedding at a winery so our "cocktail hour" is included while family takes pictures after the ceremony.  Otherwise, I wouldn't think a large cocktail hour is required, but just make sure your guests have refreshments (beverages) in the meantime.
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    littlemisssaralittlemisssara member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Not required
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    ahbaumahbaum member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    We are having a cocktail hour with light appetizers as we're  using the same space for the ceremony as well as the dinner.  While the dinner tables are being set up, everyone will be in the "cocktail area" enjoying themselves playing pool or going for a slow boat ride down the river.
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