Let's Talk About the Wedding Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hours are a wedding trend that has become very popular in recent years. As the name implies, this is a period of time, usually an hour, during which guests can mingle, talk, and enjoy drinks of their choice. Typically, it takes place after the ceremony and before the reception. If you would like to have a cocktail hour or are contemplating the idea, you may have a few concerns about how best to handle it. However, following some simple tips can make sure it goes off without a hitch.
You Don’t Have to Serve Alcohol
Many people in today’s world choose not to drink alcohol. Thus, if you and/or your significant other do not drink due to preference, religion, or any other reason, don’t feel compelled to serve alcohol to your guests. With that said, though, don’t think this means that you have to skip a cocktail hour altogether. You can still have the fun and mingling of a cocktail hour without the booze (or the expense!). If you choose to go alcohol-free, serve a fun Signature Mocktail or a sparkling non-alcoholic juice or cider to your guests and encourage mingling.
Go Short (or Long) if You Prefer
Often, people like the idea of a wedding cocktail hour, but don’t want it to actually be an hour. This could be due to the huge expense of providing alcohol for a full hour. Or, it might be for logistics reasons or because of warm weather, which is quite typical with Maui weddings. Whatever the reason, it’s definitely okay to shorten your cocktail “hour.” In fact, plenty of couples find that a half hour is sufficient for mingling and drinking. With that in mind, you can also lengthen your cocktail hour if you prefer. Tacking on an additional thirty minutes is perfect, especially for a larger wedding event. It gives you enough time to greet everyone without going so long that your guests grow restless.
As you can see, a wedding cocktail hour doesn’t have to be a true hour. In fact, there are no rules at all. Open bar. Paid bar. “Potluck” bar. The possibilities are endless, and no real etiquette rules apply. Do what feels right, at least in this regard, for your big day.
