Ah, cocktail hour. The moment everyone has been waiting for on your wedding day. Truthfully, they thought the ceremony was beautiful, and the vows brought a tear to many an eye, and everyone knows the wedding is really about a marriage and the start of a new life together, but that’s not to say they’re not looking forward to throwing back a cold one. Or few… you know, through the course of the night. All in honor of you. Cheers to the happy couple.
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The cocktail hour is a great time to transition guests from ceremony mode to party time, aka the reception. This is your chance to do a little something special for your guests, while you’re off gazing into the eyes of your beloved or having photos snapped. Sure, anyone can have the typical bar, offering an array of delicious beverages to get the blood flowing. But why not personalize the cocktail hour too, just as you have the rest of the celebration?
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Offer guests a few different beverages that have significance to you. Your hubby hails from wine country? Give guests the selection of wine from some local vineyards. Share with guests the story of the first beer he bought you, and how much you loved it by introducing them to it as well. You can even use cute chalk signs let guests know the significance of each wine selected.
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Instead of having a full bar, have a few signature cocktails, favorites of the couple or their friends and family. A popular trend right now is premixing drinks in mason jars, ready for grab it and go, ultimately giving guests more time to dance instead of waiting in line to have a drink mixed.
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Small appetizer options to complement the beverages are a must, to keep tummies from growling and keeping old Aunt Edna from getting a little too tipsy off the fuzzy navels, offered as a reminder of your first vacation together to Georgia. Keep it fun, let everyone socialize a little before dinner, and everyone will be quick to RSVP to any future fiestas you may be hosting.