Purpose

The cocktail hour was established for several reasons. The main reason is to keep the guests occupied and entertained while the bride, groom, wedding party, and family members are taking pictures. The cocktail hour also serves as a time to get the guest organized for the reception.

Traditions & Suggestions Generally the cocktail hour is located in the main ballroom, foyer, or patio. Upbeat background music is played for the guests as they mingle, snack on appetizers (hot & cold) and refresh themselves at the hosted bar. There are several ways to handle hosting a bar. There are two types of hosted bars, soft and premium. Hosting a soft bar means you will provide beer, wine, and soda to your guests. A premium-hosted bar consists of beer, wine, soda, and premium drinks (mixed drinks). If you are on a tight budget, then you may choose to have a cash bar only. If you can find a way to provide at least an hour of a soft hosted bar, it is much more acceptable. Hosting a bar is a great way to get people to loosen up so they will want to stay longer and join in the festivities.

The cocktail hour is a time for organizing the guests at their tables. You can choose to have your guests sit wherever they like, while reserving a few special tables for parents and close family members next to or near the wedding party/sweetheart table. You can also provide a pre-planned seating arrangement. Simply have a reception table located at the entrance to the ballroom. As guests come in, they will sign the guest book, and a friend or family member with a list or place cards will direct the guest(s) to the appropriate table.

The guest arrival time is the perfect time for your D.J. to make general announcements. Your D.J. will inform them where to sign the guest book and engagement photo, where to find the gift table, let the guests know about the hosted bar, inform them of interactive gifts such as bubbles and disposable cameras (and when and how to use them), and any other special announcements. The D.J. will also inform the guests about any highlighted events that will be coming up later in the reception program.

Alternatives & Unique Ideas

Instead of having your DJ (Disc Jockey) provide the music for the cocktail hour, you may want to hire live musicians just for this hour of entertainment. Live music can add a nice variety to your reception program. Mariachi, Doo-wop, pianist, jazz, or even an island reggae band is a great alternative that will give your cocktail hour that added excitement! Instead of having stationary appetizers on a table, have the staff at your location serve them butler style on trays pampering your friends and family. If you really want to create a unique atmosphere, we can provide a strolling magician or a caricature artist to help keep your guests entertained. If extra entertainment is out of your budget, we can help you create unique music themes. Lastly, a wedding is more than a wedding; it’s a family reunion. Consider having a separate photographer to take professional portraits for your guests.