Your wedding cocktail hour is an event that is for your guests comfort and convenience.  Many couples do not attend their cocktail hour as they are often photographing their Romantics session or want to make their first appearance during their grand entrance.  Your guests will spend that hour visiting with each other and nibbling on hors d’oeuvres and sipping on drinks.  Here are a few tips to make sure they enjoy it:
Create Ambience
After your ceremony, your guests next step on your big day is the cocktail hour.  If your venue has the option of a separate space, this will allow your reception area to still have it’s own unveiling.  Many venues will offer you a terrace, lobby or separate room for the cocktail hour.  Regardless of where it will be, make sure that the layout of your cocktail reception is easily accessible, offers a few seating areas or tall tables to set glasses or empty dishes.  Low tables with chairs along the exterior and high tables in the middle create an inviting atmosphere.
Decor
Provide your budget some relief by keeping the decor minimal during the cocktail hour.  Guests will be busy greeting one another, not paying attention to your decor.  A few small flower arrangements and low candles are all that you need.


Bar Service
If possible, offer guests a drink as they enter the cocktail reception.  This will help to minimize bar crowding.  Servers can offer wine, champagne or your signature cocktail.  Avoid placing a drink station near the entrance or guests may feel crowded as they enter the area.
It is not necessary to offer a full bar during cocktail hour.  Craft beers, white wine, red wine and non-alcoholic offerings are sufficient and budget friendly.  In general, guests will have two drinks during the hour.  To avoid service delays, it is best to have one bartender per 100 attendees.
Food Service
Cocktail hour is not meant to be a mini dinner.  Vegetables, cheeses and a few finger foods are plenty during this time.  If possible, avoid items requiring forks and knives unless you have ample seating and tables for guests to sit.  A few servers passing hors d’oeuvres and a small area where guests can serve themselves is a convenient option for your guests .
Set The Mood With Music
The cocktail hour is a great time to play some of your favorite songs.  While it may be “normal” to play light jazz or standards, there is no rule that you must follow.  If you love acoustic artists, they make a great soundtrack to the mingling of your guests.  If you’re hoping to have a fun wedding reception, you can start the evening off with favorites from the 80s.  Anything goes for your cocktail hour.
Contact us at 248-689-0777 or email us to start planning your wedding reception.