How to have a Cocktail Style Reception in Two Rooms?

vsharwarko · May 2013

Have you ever been to a cocktail style reception? My finance and I are trying to figure out the flow to have one. At our location, we have two rooms, one outdoor/ garden room (traditionally used for cocktail hour) and then we have the ballroom (traditionally used for dinner and dancing). My question is, how do we have a cocktail style reception and use both of these rooms? Reason being, we love the garden room, but it’s not big enough to have the entire party there.

Another thing to mention here is that we want to have a grand entrance. What I am thinking is that if we can somehow figure out how to have the cocktail style reception in both rooms then once everyone moves to the ballroom we can have the grand entrance.

Are there any ideas out there of how to make this work?

itzMS · May 2013

In Response to How to have a Cocktail Style Reception in Two Rooms?:
[QUOTE]Have you ever been to a cocktail style reception? My finance and I are trying to figure out the flow to have one. At our location, we have two rooms, one outdoor/ garden room (traditionally used for cocktail hour) and then we have the ballroom (traditionally used for dinner and dancing). My question is, how do we have a cocktail style reception and use both of these rooms? Reason being, we love the garden room, but it’s not big enough to have the entire party there. Another thing to mention here is that we want to have a grand entrance. What I am thinking is that if we can somehow figure out how to have the cocktail style reception in both rooms then once everyone moves to the ballroom we can have the grand entrance. Are there any ideas out there of how to make this work?
Posted by vsharwarko[/QUOTE]

Well, considering the fact that you need to have a seat for every guest, here's what I'd suggest.

Have your ballroom set up with assigned tables for guests. Do your "grand entrance". Open a second bar outside after you're done.

What time is your ceremony and reception?

alithebride · May 2013

have you asked the venue what they normally do?

i think youre complicating the issue. have both areas set up (perhaps the garden room just with a bar or seating or soemthing) but have the mail food and bar in the ballroom area. just have your entrance at the beginning of the party

wifemothereventplanner · May 2013

Easy. Make sure theres a bar in both rooms. People go where the booze is.

NOLAbridealmost · May 2013

In Response to Re: How to have a Cocktail Style Reception in Two Rooms?:
[QUOTE]Easy. Make sure theres a bar in both rooms. People go where the booze is.
Posted by wifemothereventplanner[/QUOTE]

Boom. For the win. No assigned seating....defeats the whole purpose of a cocktail reception. Have ample chairs and tables in the ballroom, have some standing tables in the garden room. Situate the dance floor so it's easily seen from both rooms (if possible). Then, people who partake of the bar in the garden room might decide to mingle for a while at the tall tables. Just make sure you have 15-20% more seating than guests in the main room so no one HAS to stand in the other room and groups that want to sit together don't get split up.

tinambride · May 2013

I'd say no assigned seating and a bar in each room.

I went to a dinner reception where the guests were split between two rooms. It was a little awkward and everyone at our table joked about being the "B" rated guests. It was fun, but it created an odd dynamic. I'd have the dancing and stuff in one room, and all of the tables and the food in the other.

How to have a Cocktail Style Reception in Two Rooms?

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