Have you ever heard of a cocktail hour? Do you know the when, why, and how of a cocktail hour? We ask because some couples don’t know what a cocktail hour is, and that is completely okay. But we also ask because there are couples who have only heard about the negativity surrounding the cocktail hour. More often than not, a cocktail hour is a necessity on a wedding day. We are taking time to explain how the cocktail hour is really beneficial.
The When
Ideally the cocktail hour takes place between the ceremony and reception and usually takes an hour, hence the name. It has a multipurpose use and is beneficial for everyone involved in the wedding, especially the wedding couple. We know what you are thinking. We are biased. You are right. We see the benefits of cocktail hour from every angle, so we are always going to be in favor of it even if you don’t need the entire hour. Allow us to give a bit more explanation of why you should want and use a cocktail hour on your wedding day.
The Why
Some weddings require a room flip. A room flip would take place when you are using a portion of or all of the same space for both your ceremony and your reception. Unless you are having your ceremony while your guests are seated at the same tables you plan to have them dine at, your room will need to be transformed. Depending on how grand the design of your ceremony, your reception, or both are, the amount of time could vary. The other part of that is you are going to want plenty of photos and detail shots of the space, and that will take some time. On top of all of that, you just might want to see the room before the guests enter. Hiring the right group of professionals will ensure this gets executed flawlessly, but it will still take some time.
The How
Your guests will more than likely expect this part of the wedding day. Just because they expect it does not mean they will like it. However, depending on the details of the wedding day, it just might be a necessary evil. Allow us to add a different perspective. No one enjoys standing in line at Universal Studios or Disneyland. But in order to get the full experience, you have to do it. The remedy to keeping your guests from noticing how long they have been standing is to keep them occupied. If you schedule something fun during the cocktail hour, it can only add to an amazing experience for your wedding day. Photobooths have come a long way in recent years, and the 360 photobooth is a party on its own. There are tons of ideas to choose from. You may have to pull out all of the stops if you are deeply concerned about your guests during this time, but it adds to the experience.
If we have yet to convince you of the benefits of a cocktail hour, we would love to hear from you. We want to understand your reservations, because we can tell you the other side of not doing a cocktail hour can be more damaging than you might imagine. The conversation around the when, why, and how of a cocktail hour can go pretty deep. But we wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t make you fully aware of the possibilities.
Until next time…
be sweet & happy planning!
~Tish
(photo credit: Simone Elise Events and Michelle Evans Art)
Premier Wedding Planning and Event Studio Owned by Husband and Wife Planner and Event Designer Team Darius and Tish Clay. Simone Elise Events offers Wedding Day Event Management Services, Full Service Wedding Planning Services, and Wedding and Event Design Services for all your Wedding, Social, and Corporate Events. Simone Elise Events caters to Weddings and Events in Memphis Tennessee and surrounding Tennessee areas.
For more about us, visit: simoneeliseevents.com/about-us
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