Rings are exchanged, the I do’s are said, and the couple is declared MARRIED! So what’s next, you ask? Cocktail hour! Such an easy way to transition guests from the ceremony to the reception, with some time to enjoy themselves before kicking off the celebration at the reception.
What exactly is cocktail hour?
Cocktail hour is a brief time in between the ceremony and reception where guests can mingle while the couple and their families finish up photos after the ceremony. Does it have to be a full hour? No! Can it be longer than an hour? Of course! But be mindful of your guests to ensure that they aren’t getting restless and leaving before the reception starts.
And you don’t have to serve just cocktails at cocktail hour. Mocktails are becoming more and more popular, as well as coffee carts and flavored water stations. Just be sure to have some food for your guests as well!
Where to hold cocktail hour?
Outdoors – if you have the ability to hold cocktail hour outdoors – DO IT! Guests have a change of scenery and some fresh air, and very little decor is required. At BRIK Venue, our courtyard and green space is the perfect spot for cocktail hour in the spring and fall months, as the weather is cooler and the ivy wall is stunning! Bring your yard games, hire a food truck for appetizers, or for a fun guest experience – beer boroughs!
Reception space – if the weather is not cooperating, or it’s the middle of the hot Texas summer, your reception space is the perfect spot to host your cocktail hour. By placing our cocktail tables on the dance floor, your guests can mix and mingle there until it’s time for the reception to start. At that point, the tables can be moved so the dance floor is wide open for all the dancing to come! Have your bar staff greet guests with a signature cocktail, with stations of appetizers around the room.
Upstairs – if your ceremony is off-site at your church or at the chapel, and using the outdoor space is not an option, then for a little extra upgrade to your package, we can transform the upstairs ceremony space into the cocktail space of your dreams. Our benches can be moved to create seating vignettes for your guests, and our cocktail tables can be moved upstairs for your guests to utilize. As your guests enter the space, a fun surprise could be a live musician while they grab a glass of wine.
New cocktail hour trends
In 2024, we’ve seen some fun new trends with cocktail hours that you might want to incorporate on your wedding day.
- The bride and groom attend their cocktail hour! Once they’ve finished up their photos with family, we’ve seen quite a few couples show up to cocktail hour and enjoy that time with their friends before the reception starts. One couple even did their first dance during cocktail hour – so fun!
- More and more couples are providing unique experiences for their friends and family to enjoy during cocktail hour – things like live wedding guest illustrations, party poets, chainstitch embroidery, and cigar rollers.
- Reverse cocktail hour – where you have cocktail hour BEFORE the ceremony. This way, the bride and groom get to enjoy the entire cocktail hour with all their guests and don’t get to miss out on a single minute of their wedding festivities. Then immediately after the ceremony, dinner and dancing can begin!
So tell us – what are you thinking for YOUR cocktail hour?
