Cocktail hour is a festive and social gathering that takes place between the wedding ceremony and the reception. It's a time for guests to relax, mingle, and enjoy delicious drinks and appetizers. While cocktail hour is not a required element of a wedding, it can be a great way to add some extra fun and excitement to your big day.
Should You Serve Food During Cocktail Hour?
Whether or not to serve food during cocktail hour is a personal decision. There are pros and cons to both options.
Pros of serving food:
Guests will appreciate having something to eat after the ceremony.
Food can help to soak up alcohol and prevent guests from getting too drunk.
Serving food can help to keep guests entertained and engaged.
Cons of serving food:
Food can be expensive.
Serving food can make the cocktail hour more crowded and less intimate.
Food can be messy, and it can be difficult to clean up.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to serve food during cocktail hour is up to you. If you're on a tight budget, or if you're worried about the logistics of serving food, you may want to skip it. However, if you're looking for a way to add some extra fun and excitement to your wedding, serving food during cocktail hour is a great option.
How to Transition Guests from Ceremony to Cocktail Hour
Once the ceremony is over, it's time to transition guests to the cocktail hour. Here are a few tips for making this transition smooth and easy:
Make sure guests know where the cocktail hour is being held. Include the location of the cocktail hour on your wedding invitations and programs. You can also have signs posted at the ceremony site directing guests to the cocktail hour.
Have a plan for guests to get from the ceremony to the cocktail hour. If the ceremony and cocktail hour are being held at different locations, you will need to arrange transportation for guests. You can either rent buses or vans, or you can ask guests to drive themselves.
Start the cocktail hour a few minutes after the ceremony ends. This will give guests time to use the restroom and freshen up before heading to the cocktail hour.
Greet your guests as they arrive at the cocktail hour. This will help to make them feel welcome and appreciated.
Enjoy the cocktail hour! This is a time for you to relax and celebrate with your guests.
Cocktail Trending Activities
In recent years, couples have been getting more creative with their cocktail hour offerings. Here are a few trending activities that you might want to consider for your own wedding:
Photo booth: Set up a photo booth with fun props and backdrops so guests can take pictures to remember the day.
Lawn games: Set up some lawn games like croquet, bocce ball, or cornhole for guests to enjoy.
Live music: Hire a musician or band to play live music during the cocktail hour.
Dancing: Have a dance floor set up so guests can dance the night away.
Cocktail Trending Food
In addition to traditional finger foods, couples are also serving more creative and unique foods during cocktail hour. Here are a few trending food options that you might want to consider for your own wedding:
Mini tacos: These are a great way to serve up a delicious and portable meal. You can fill them with a variety of meats, vegetables, and sauces.
Sliders: Sliders are another great option for a quick and easy meal. You can make them with a variety of different meats and toppings.
Bruschetta: Bruschetta is a classic Italian dish that is made with toasted bread, tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. It's a light and refreshing option that is perfect for a summer wedding.
Cheese and charcuterie boards: Cheese and charcuterie boards are a great way to provide guests with a variety of different snacks. You can choose from a variety of cheeses, meats, fruits, and nuts.