Cocktail hours can be an inventive way to add more of your personal style to your big day! Between the amazing food, tasty drinks, and awesome entertainment, your guests are sure to have a great time (and a good cocktail hour helps keep everyone happy while you’re off taking photos with your boo). Here are some tips on how to execute and add some unique flair to your cocktail hour!
Venue
We all know the venue is an incredibly important aspect of the ceremony and reception, but it’s important to plan the space for your cocktail hour too! Our recommendation? Find an outdoor space to host your cocktail hour, whether it’s at your ceremony venue or a local bar or restaurant. After sitting for a ceremony, your guests will want a chance to stretch their legs, and an outdoor cocktail hour is a perfect environment for some interactive games and entertainment!
Entertainment
Now your guests have relocated and they’re mingling with snacks and drinks in hand. All that’s missing is some music and fun! From photo booths to live music to activities like corn hole and giant Jenga, the options are endless. This is a perfect opportunity to impart some of your personal style! Did you and your S.O. go bowling for your first date? Set up an outdoor bowling lane! Are you honeymooning in Hawaii? Set up a mini-beach (complete with Pina Coladas and umbrella-covered seating).
Looking for some unique entertainment? Check out our Selfie Mirror photo booth, DJ+Band Hybrid, and other services.
Timeline
Get creative. Break the rules. (We won’t tell!) Sure, traditional cocktail hours happen between the ceremony and reception to allow time for photos, but we’re big fans of doing the unexpected! We love a sunset cocktail hour that happens toward the end of the reception. Imagine this: you’ve been dancing all night. Your dinner was amazing and you’re looking to relax and unwind with your favorite people. Take a few moments to grab a drink, make a s’more by the fire, hit up a late-night food truck, set off some fireworks, and soak in the beautiful realization that you’re married!
Food and Drinks
Time for the grub! Everyone loves to eat and drink, and weddings have been seeing more and more street food inspiration recently! Grab a taco truck, a bar on wheels, or a pizza truck for the cocktail hour and let your guests experience some of the foods that you and your fiance love.
Keep in mind the time and season of your event. If it’s a hot summer day, consider serving frozen drinks (alcoholic or non), and maybe sample a drink trend with your guests like spiked popsicles or loaded bloody marys!
Decor
This day is all about the happy couple! Every single detail should reflect your taste and style, and there are simple ways to make that happen. Give the hour some personality by posting creative signs that highlight your married names and your individual personalities. Have one at the bar with your signature cocktails listed and include a clever phrase like “Take a shot, take your seat”, “This will help you dance”, or “We are better when we drink together”. Make it personal and we know your cocktail hour will be perfect!