Cocktail hour & timeline - Opinions needed

sperger · July 17, 2009

Do you think it is a bad idea to not pay for / just use a bar near the wedding gazebo to have guests get drinks there? Should we make it a point to definitely serve some hors d'ouevres then? Our resort is AI, but, I don't want any guests to feel hungry!

I don't mind doing this, I just haven't come across any info (either here or from our WC) about pricing or options.

We are getting married at 4 pm, and the ceremony should end in 30 minutes - the guests would then go to the Lobby Bar or the Bar near the pool to mingle for a while and that would be the "cocktail hour". The pool bar is closest, but, only has drinks, no food.

We're planning on starting a reception at 6:00 or 6:30 pm - Do you think that's too early? My concern is that I want to PLAN the day as smoothly as possible, knowing full well that there's a good possibility something will get screwed up.

We would have dinner, dancing, and then, we could go to the resort's disco once it opens at 11 pm if people want to keep the party going.

Thoughts / Opinions? TIA ladies!

*Nadine* · July 17, 2009

We are doing the same as you! I have been to two destination weddings, one without a cocktail hour (and same timeline as you just listed) and one with a cocktail hour (food and drinks). And i definitely prefered the one without. The food and drinks for the cocktail hour at the second one was warm and really not that good for how much money they spent, plus most of us just went back to our room to freshen up and went to the lobby bar anyways, so it was a waste of money.

and for the wedding without the cocktail hour, we did the same thing, all freshened up then a group of us met at the lobby bar and just had drinks there. and people that were hungry stopped in and grabbed something quickly at the buffet. we didnt even notice we had that extra time b/w the ceremony and reception cause we were all together and still drinking and hanging out anyways.

I personally wouldnt waste the money after the experiences i had. noone will even notice, they are in mexico!

~Keira~ · July 17, 2009

Thats some good advise Nadine. I was wondering the same thing for our wedding. I was affraid of looking cheap but at the same time I don't really want to waste money either. We're doing a private dinner (who knows what time) so I tink I will stick with paying for the extras there rather then adding on a cocktail hour.

dolfinluck · July 17, 2009

Thanks Nadine! I was also wondering the same thing as well. I'm pretty sure now we will skip the cocktail hour and tell everyone to met at one of the bars.