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Cocktail Hour???

marleighkay7marleighkay7 member
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in Wedding Etiquette Forum
Hello. My name is Marleigh. My fiance and I are beginning to plan our wedding, not until January 30, 2016, and I am so confused about what the point of cocktail hour is. What is the point of it? Is it okay if we don't have one? We are both going to be coming out of college about this time and are looking to make this wedding as budget friendly as possible. 
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Re: Cocktail Hour???

  • misssunshine17misssunshine17 member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary 5 Answers
    1) It is way, way, way too early to be planning. Anything. DO NOT ask your bridal party or put any money down. Friendships change and people close their businesses. 

    2) Cocktail hour is to keep guests entertained while you're taking pictures. You need to properly host guests with refreshment if you're having any pictures taken after the ceremony. 

    Enjoy being engaged for the next two years. I was engaged my last two years of college and I was so busy I couldn't imagine doing it all. Now two years later, I'm had time to save and plan everything.
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  • APDSS22APDSS22 member
    Fifth Anniversary 1000 Comments 500 Love Its First Answer
    A cocktail hour is usually used to entertain guests while the bridal party takes pictures.  You can avoid this by having a "first look" where the bride and groom see each other before the wedding (so you can get your pictures done before the wedding and not have guests standing around.)  If you choose to take your pictures between wedding and reception, you will need to have a cocktail hour for the sake of your guests.

    I second that it's too early for you to have anything set in stone (I had a 2 and half year long engagement).  I would just enjoy being engaged and maybe start budgeting a few options so you can save up the right amount since you have plenty of time!  Congrats on the engagement!
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  • Teddy917Teddy917 member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its Third Anniversary First Answer
    Depending on where you live, you might be able to start looking for the venue and photographer. In certain areas those can book fast.
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  • doeydodoeydo member
    Seventh Anniversary 5000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    Cocktail hour is basically a chance for the bride and groom to get their pictures taken somewhere and to keep the guests entertained, fed, and refreshed in the mean time.  So if you plan on getting pictures taken after the ceremony, then yes a cocktail hour is necessary.  If not, then it is not needed.  However, it might be a little early to be planning. 
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  • WonderRedWonderRed member
    500 Love Its 500 Comments Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    What others have said.   In addition to the family pictures we'll do on site, we're actually driving 5-10 minutes away for our pictures of just the two of us and then coming back.  While they are waiting for us our guests will have food, booze, and live music to keep them busy in addition to them having a chance to talk and get to know each other.

    You don't have to have one.   My brother's wedding was at his church and we all went straight  from the ceremony into the finger foods reception in the church gym with only a 10 minute break.
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  • MairePoppyMairePoppy mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its
    If you're having pictures taken between the ceremony and reception, you should host something for the guests. It doesn't have to be a cocktail hour. Guests should have access to restrooms, chairs and something to drink. Bottled water, iced tea,lemonade or coffee is fine. Cheese and cracker and veggie platter would be nice. If you don't want to do that, start the reception immediately after the ceremony. Have your photo session after the reception.
                       
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  • emmyg65emmyg65 member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers First Anniversary
    We skipped cocktail hour because we went straight from the ceremony to dinner, in the same location. We got all our photos done before the ceremony with a first look.
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