wedding cocktail hour entertainment ideas

Bring your indoor furniture outside for your cocktail hour by using glass bookcases as drink displays. The wedding cocktail hour is essentially a brief period of time right before the wedding ceremony and the celebratory dinner. You can't go wrong with providing some great food for your guests." Fact: Melania walked down the aisle with rosary beads. The prettiest globe display, which invited an adventurous couple's guests to share their travel recommendations. The Most Patriotic Flowers for the Fourth of July, According to Symbolism. Daria Kapusta, Manager, Precious Pics, Include immersive entertainment. No matter how you present it, we recommend choosing something like Art of Teas black floral and berry mix, Happy Tea, as the base of the drink. There are a couple of easy tips and guidelines to follow to ensure the event runs smoothly, like keeping the event to around an hour or serving food that is easy to handle and tasty, but everything else is up to you! Point guests in the direction of the reception, the bar, or the photo booth area. Mismatched glasses, taper candles, and vines dressed up this outdoor bar's backsplash. You can definitely host the cocktail hour prior to the ceremony, but this can pose a couple of challenges. Instead of asking yourselves how to keep the kids occupied during the cocktail hour or reception, think about your entire guest list. We particularly loved how one couple incorporated their adorable pups into their cocktail hour by illustrating their likenesses onto signature cocktail signs. Who doesnt love a cocktail with a great story to go with it? Usually, guests should be encouraged to attend cocktail hour as it is part of the party and it is typically paid for in advance. Hire food trucks. 12. A DJ or band will probably overpower any conversation so opt for some pretty background music like a strolling violinist or even an acoustic act. They're an essential element of a comfortable bed, so keep yours fresh and in their best shape ever with these expert-approved tips. Created for the purveyors of elegance and style On our blog you will find inspiration, fresh ideas and useful tips on how to organize your dream wedding, engagement party, corporate event, or elegant get-together. Don't forget to prepare your guests for the rest of the evening, though. Drinks are arguably one of the most important parts of a cocktail hour. Charlotte Ricard-Quesada, La Fte, For an outdoor space, set up games. Make it interactive. 14. If you click through and make a purchase, we'll earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you. This will make it absolutely clear to guests that it is time for dinner, and you can rest assured that there will not be any stragglers!. This page may contain affiliate links. Different beer samplings were offered for cocktail hour at this North Carolina wedding as a nod to the groom's love of craft brews. Seltzer, vodka, simple syrup, some fresh fruit, and a nice garnish to top it all off whats not to love? I love a definite transition from cocktail hour into the reception, Bridal Bliss Founder Nora Sheils told us. Self-pour technology provides many options just like a regular bar if not more! 8. If youre having fun planning the cocktail hour, chances are your guests will have fun being there! Set out comfortable lounges and fun photo opps. Whatever you decide, make sure to also create a custom sign that tells guests what the cocktail is and what it is named after. Confused about when to do what to your favorite flowering shrubs? As the hour comes to a close, be sure to guide guests to a creative seating chart (we loved how one coupleused polaroid photos instead of escort cards!). Share fond memories. It isnt necessary to have your guests sit down. When guests leave the ceremony, they might need a chance to stretch their legs or get some fresh air, so a wider outdoor space is perfect for a cocktail hour. A former editor for The Knot, Simone has experience in web development and editorial writing. The problem is, its not always done correctly. 5. Smoke some meat. 10. Then from there, you can build the rest of the menu. At their Bahamas celebration, the newlywedsoffered guests delicous cocktails served in coconuts. Make your seating nearly as fun as the cocktail hour itself! Attach champagne flute holders to the wall so guests can serve themselves. Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home! Click through for all the cocktail hour inspirationyou could ever need. You dont want to have your whole party sitting during this time. Have a video or slide projection recounting how you met and fell in love, Gibson said. "The best way to keep your guests entertained during your newlywed portraits other than the usual food and drink in abundance is to have some amazing immersive entertainment! cold appetizers for wedding cocktail hour, how long should cocktail hour be at a wedding, wedding cocktail hour entertainment ideas. Adding a few games or ice-breakers is the best way to get people mixing and mingling before they sit down to dinner. Have a photo album or an empty board for guests to put their photos in if they decide not to take them home. The 13 Most Amazing Castle Wedding Venues in the U.S. Bennifer is married and better than ever. Lemon-lime water coolers kept guests hydrated between drinks at this summer wedding. "This is a fun and unique activity for your guests to enjoy during your cocktail hour. Rent out a truck for some classic frozen treats or ask your local ice cream shop if they cater large events. Point guests in the direction of the reception, the bar, or, Napkins are a must when handing out beverages and small bites to guests. Some other ideas can be adding lounge furniture instead of tables to make it more picture worthy. You can also find many playlists online for the perfect classy wedding cocktail hour music. You can have a mix of one-on-one entertainment such as magicians, illustrators, perfume creators, or poets mixed in with some more general entertainment like dancers, performers or musicians." The point of a cocktail party is to socialize while you enjoy some drinks and celebrate the newlywed couple. Any patios, rooftops, poolside, or balconies are perfect places to hold a wedding cocktail hour and will immediately set the party tone. "What better way to keep everyone busy than a miniature treasure hunt?! The ceremonywent off without a hitch, you're officially married,and now it's time to celebrate! Another standout? You should also think about keeping the food choices to something that is easy to handle as guests will be walking around. Ultimately, when it comes to dressing up your cocktail hour, it's the little touches that count. After the vows have been said and the rings have been exchanged, it is now time to celebrate your everlasting love! A few easy-to-find ingredients are all you need to create a powerful formula that squashes weeds. Can you guess who stayed together after the final rose? Go for something original and enjoyable by choosing to have an ice cream truck. Make transitions fun. Ashley Vipond, Co-Owner, Champagne Social Co. Photo: Becs Jpg Photography via Champagne Social Co. Set up food stations. Infuse local flavor. Youll estimate around two bites per guest as this is right before the reception and dinner. How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly. The couple has been together for nearly a decade. Beef patties and rum runners are the perfect options in Jamaica, and food trucks are always a hit to include, too. For more coordination, paint the signs to match your wedding colors. Add in florals. When should the cocktail hour take place? Gather some fun and unique prizes and have your guests battle it out in a classic bingo game. Kick-start your day by making habits out of these mood-boosting tips. You can really get creative with this and make it to your liking! Photo: Layce Bauman Photography via Alston Mayger Events. A 3.9% PROCESSING FEE IS ADDED TO ALL ON PREMISE NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS. While it is a huge pet peeve to leave crumpled napkins, empty glasses, and toothpicks all over the tables, when you have an assigned place for the trash, it will only create an eye sore. Use homemade signage. In an email to Wedding Spot, Elegant Occasions JoAnn Gregoli said that the secret to a great cocktail hour is to make it more interactive and engaging. Daria Kapusta, Manager, Precious Pics, Offer plenty of passed appetizers. Plenty of seating is a must at your cocktail hour, but why not make it unique by going for a mismatched, eclectic vibe? Consider working with your caterer to create some whimsical ways to display your appetizers or drinks. Join Sandals Resorts as we celebrate our 40 Year Anniversary of turning romantic honeymoon moments into a lifetime of wonderful memories. 21. Backyard games are the perfect option for a fun loving, outdoorsy couple. and make the atmosphere very cozy and comfortable. Introduce your guests to the local flavors of your wedding locale, advised Avey. Another way to help guests attend is by keeping the cocktail hour relatively short as mentioned. Sure, you can serve trendy favorites like White Claw and Truly. Have the caterers or servers designate staff to help sweep the trash throughout the cocktail hour. 2022 Wedding Spot, Cvent Company. You can also find trucks that offer champagne or fros., 19. We will be there for every step you take. unique bachelorette party ideas Minneapolis. Companies like Pour My Beer are revolutionizing the beverage game, and having something like it at your cocktail hour is a great way to add an interactive element without going over the top. Make a limoncello stand. Since this couple named their signature cocktails after their beloved dogs, they enlisted the help of an illustrator to paint their likenesses onto the drink menu. This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden. Assorted dipping sauces accompanied freshly-baked pretzels at this creative food station. If live music isnt in the budget, create the perfect cocktail hour playlist. How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles. These live music options are calm and act as the perfect addition to your cocktail hour. Nearby, fresh kettle corn was popping, and beer and wine was served from a canoe bar. First, how long should a cocktail hour be at a wedding exactly? serve snacks and small bites at your cocktail hour, create your own signature beverage for the occasion, The Best Annapolis Wedding Photographers to Book. We have you covered. Sign up on The Knot to reach more couples and book more weddings! Whatever drinks you decide to serve, display them in a fun and distinctive way that is sure to keep your guests coming back for more. Lined with cushions and a mini coffee table, this small tent offered guests a quiet respite from the festivities. When done correctly, a cocktail hour helps pass the time between the ceremony and reception, giving guests a moment to relax and enjoy some drinks and light bites before the celebrations pick back up. Pour some seltzer. 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Here's how to keep your guests busy while you take photos. create the perfect cocktail hour playlist. Here are some wedding cocktail hour ideas to help get you started! Have a tie? If youre having an outdoor cocktail hour with backyard games and a bonfire, choose some Adirondack chairs and a wooden bench. However, they can be prolonged up to around 90 minutes if the extra time is needed to finish prepping the reception space for the rest of the evening. Depending on your budget, there are tons of ways to DIY a lemonade stand that will be sure to be a conversation starter. Serve boozy ice pops. Think about what your guests will want during this time and choose at least one focal point of the cocktail hour that gives them that. Gather, No matter how young or how old you are, bingo is entertaining for everybody. DIY a cocktail hour this way sign with some wood, stain, and painted calligraphy. Use the polaroids to create a unique photo guest book! There are many wedding cocktail hour ideas when it comes to food. A personalized wooden wedding sign is the perfect practical addition to your cocktail hour. Use the entire venue. rebecca-eji-wedding-cocktail-hour-451-s113057-0616.jpg, real-weddings-kevin-jamie-05292012wd-jk1487.jpg, A Guide to the Most Popular Wedding Veil Lengths, Fabrics, and Colors, The 19 Best Lace Flower Girl Dresses for All Budgets and Seasons, How to Plan an Entirely Unplugged Wedding, 20 Sleeveless Flower Girl Dresses That Work All Year Round. To help make the transition between the ceremony and reception a fun and stress-free one, we rounded up some of our favorite cocktail hour ideas from wedding planners and event coordinators throughout the industry. With these photos, everyone is sure to remember how much fun they had at your wedding. 18. You dont want food that is heavy and that you have to sit down to eat. What will look great in person and in photos? The party portion of the daykicks off withcocktail houra chance for guests to mingle, sip on signature drinksand Champagne, and snack on yummy hors d'oeuvres. 1. At this pre-reception party, the presentation of the signature sips was everything. One couple transformed their cocktail hour into a picnic by laying out cozy blankets perfect for lounging. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Multiple sets of giant Jenga kept guests entertained while the couple snapped wedding photos. Show your love of country by displaying these varieties on America's birthday. Who doesnt love something that does double duty? Another wedding cocktail hour idea that will leave your guests smiling? Remember the children. Food choices like oysters, bread, charcuterie boards, kebabs, or pizza bites are all easy to eat quickly while standing. How do you make it unique to you and your spouse? At a casual wedding, a vintage pick-up truck served as the beer cooler. Gregoli also suggested replacing traditional cheese and charcuterie boards with food trucks. You can also bring in fun, local traditions outside of cuisine, such as a mariachi band in Mexico, a steel-drum band in Jamaica, or hula dancers in Hawaii. One last common and helpful tip is to avoid setting up an area for discards. Skipping the first look? From signature drinks and cocktails to custom decorations and fun lawn games, we've rounded up our favorite creative cocktail hour ideas, below. Here are some gorgeous decor ideas that are sure to wow your guests. "Weddings are all about capturing the moment, so why not set up a champagne cart selfie station? If its a liquid, we can pour it, reads a section on the companys website. Consider an oyster bar with a chef shucking, craft cocktail bartenders, or aerial dancers serving champagne. With these unique and exciting activities and decor ideas, your guests are sure to have the time of their lives. Food trucks always make for a fun and creative cocktail hour, Gregoli said, so why not offer a taco truck or pizza truck to enhance the party and let guests grab and go? Whatever the vibe of your wedding, you could grab some tables, a bar cart, or opt for something more fun like a specialized wine bar or craft beer station. Luckily, there are a couple of tips and common etiquette practices that can help you execute a proper cocktail hour. Present mismatched glasses behind the open barthis doubles as both your bartender's stock and a colorful bar display. Have the date of your wedding, your names, or a fun fact about you two embossed on your napkins. We asked the experts to weigh in on this popular home design concept. Depending on the number of guests, make sure you have enough actors, dancers, magicians, and entertainers to keep everyone busy. Keep guests active! The cocktail hour food and drink can appeal more toward your individual tastes. The music for your cocktail hour doesnt have to be anything super special, as guests will be more focused on the conversation. To help you make the time between the ceremony and reception as fun as possible, we rounded up a selection of uniquecocktail hour ideas from real weddings. The Wedding Spot blog is designed to help couples navigate every step of the wedding planning journey. It resembles the reason for the harmonious event taking place as it perfectly matches the aroma of rose petals and hibiscus with the flavorful spiced Yuzu gin and Japanese Bermutto.. Daria Kapusta, Manager, Precious Pics. You can theme it after you and your new spouses favorite cocktail or name it after the place you two met. 7 Fun Ways to Personalize Your Wedding with Photos, Fresh Entertainment Ideas for Your Wedding, 12 Wedding Movies and Shows to Binge Right Now. Food and drinks at your reception dinner usually need to lean toward pleasing the crowd, but your cocktail hour food choices can be a little bit more unique and daring. Interactive food stations are always a hit! Sheils said. It can be pretty tedious to maintain conversation for over an hour with nothing else to do in one room. Watch as everybodys competitive side comes out in this head to head battle of the bingo cards. "Give your guests the freedom to get creative with their beverages with a DIY bar offering a variety of flavored syrups and garnishes like fresh herbs and fresh fruit. There are a few wedding cocktail hour games that would be super fun to play and can tie into the reception or ceremony that just took place. Start your party on a high note by including a handful of these unexpected ideas. Daria Kapusta, Manager, Precious Pics, Hire a live entertainer, like a cartoonist or caricaturist. Is It Okay to Have a Cash Bar at Your Wedding? 7 Things to Do in the Morning to Be Healthier and More Productive. Offer unique seating options. 4. You can really experiment with the choices and choose items that have special meanings to your family culture, are memorable bites from past vacations abroad, or your favorite comfort food. Use of Wedding Spot is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Our rose petal scented hibiscus martini is always a guest favorite, Omar Torres, Bartender and Food & Beverage Director of Bonsai at Hilton Pensacola Beach, told Wedding Spot. Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Not only are these custom napkins adorable, they are also practical. This part of your big day is all about the guests, since you, your new spouse, and your wedding partyare likely busy taking photographs. Beer is not the only thing to pour, there is wine, cocktails, sodas, kombucha, and even cold-brew coffee. Encourage your guests to attend the cocktail hour with signs next to the ceremony that point them to the cocktail hour space. Design the cart to fit the theme of your wedding with flowers and balloons. Having a smores station at your cocktail party is unique and fun for people of all ages. Here's what we know about these elusive A-list nuptials. Is it okay for guests to skip cocktail hour? When it comes to planning your wedding cocktail hour, keep it simple and dont overcomplicate. With this piece, you can add any sign or detail that you want. Set up a table with a polaroid camera, a ton of film, funny props, and a unique backdrop and have all of your guests snap photos of themselves having the time of their lives at your cocktail hour. At the end of the cocktail hour, guests were invited to find their Polaroid selfie, which had a table number on the back. "Outside of activities and places to sit, tray-passed appetizers are always a hit and allow guests to mingle at their own pace rather than get in a line right away for a light post-ceremony snack." Hide little telreasures with references to you and your partner, your relationship, and your wedding day and set out notes and hints for guests to find each clue." "Snacks keep guests busy, and good snacks make guests happy! It's one of your favorite fruits, but does it belong on the counter or in the refrigerator? Planning your bridal shower where to start? If the cocktail hour is planned to go a little longer than an hour, consider adding some kind of activity or wedding cocktail entertainment ideas to keep your guests occupied. Take your own unique style and apply it to your seating arrangements. All of your guests are sure to find a game they will love to play while they drink and chat with friends. Bonus points if your venue has a table tennis or pool table for extra game time." This couple jazzed up their cocktail napkins with funny relationship facts. Feature lots of your friends and family and their involvement in helping your relationship grow. A specialty mixologist can create craft cocktails for everyone to sip on." document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022. Ideally, the cocktail hour should take place after your ceremony and before the reception. We dont necessarily recommend big decorations as they are best used in more high-traffic areas like the bar or food stations, especially if you are on a tighter budget. It can be difficult to wrangle guests into their chairs for the ceremony after cocktail hour, which can prolong the wedding. Your guests will appreciate the unique elements that make them feel right at home in your exotic wedding destination!, 20. We're Putting Up Walls AgainIs the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out? Both an incredible piece of tent dcor and the perfect photo backdrop, this couple's leafy neon sign was an aesthetic highlight. The Wedding Alcohol Calculator & Shopping List You Need, 70 Wedding Captions For All of Your Instagram Posts, 37 Fun Wedding Reception Games and Activities, Here's How to Play the Shoe Game at Your Wedding Reception, 26 Wedding Menu Ideas Your Guests Will Love, 29 Wedding Reception Activities Guests Will Love, The Most Important Questions to Ask Wedding Planners, 26 Bridesmaid Pictures You Need to Take at Your Wedding, How to Select a Wedding Venue You'll Absolutely Love, 10 Important Questions to Ask Wedding Photographers, What Your Wedding Venue Contract Needs To Include, The Cutest Mic'd Up Wedding Moments of All Time, A Complete Guide to Planning a Civil Ceremony. Again, feel free to choose foods that are comforting or special to you! You can also add some more personal touches around the space as little conversation starters for your guests while they mingle. Add a personalized wedding sign to celebrate the happy couple in each picture! But we recommend taking it a step further with a homemade version created by your bartender. 6. Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth? Simone has a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia Business School. From the pages of history books, scripts, celebrity gossip columns and more, we've rounded up the memorable matchups whose love makes us swoon. There are many wedding cocktail hour ideas, and there isnt one exact way to have a cocktail hour. To learn more about booking your Luxury Included Honeymoons in paradise, call 1-877-SANDALS or visit sandals.com/honeymoons to book. They'll be able to leave at the end of the day with a special keepsake from your wedding, and we promise, they wont forget this! The wedding cocktail hour is the time to get your guests into party mode. Daria Kapusta, Manager, Precious Pics, Set up a DIY bar! It may not seem obvious at first, but try to match the cocktail with your pets personality. "Some of our favorites include giant Jenga, Connect Four, or corn hole guests love these, and they'll definitely be entertained! When thinking about music for your cocktail hour wedding, try not to overpower the mingling and chatting that makes the cocktail hour. These ideas are sure to make your cocktail hour fun and fresh for you and all of your guests. In a turn of events, couples are now opting to include ample seating options, and do so in a very comfortable fashion. Since our self-serve technology is so versatile, it reaches a broader market as there are more choices for customers., 9.

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