Tips for the Perfect Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hour is a perfect opportunity to have a time for you and your guests to mingle and relax in between the ceremony and the reception. Since the focus is normally on the bar, it is important to find ways to curate the perfect cocktail hour bar that will ensure a smooth guest experience. Here are a few tips on how to do just that:

Pre-Batch

Your ultimate goal during cocktail hour is for your guests to always have a drink in hand as soon as the ceremony is over. Pre-batching is the perfect way to ease the line at the bar by having prepared drinks ready to be served as soon as your guests arrive.

And don’t worry about freshness as specific garnishes can be included right before serving. Pre-batching will give the bar time to prepare for the next round of requests from your guests.

2. Choose 2-3 specialty cocktails

Choosing specialty cocktails is not only a unique way to add a personal touch for you and your partner on your big day, but is also keeps cocktail hour flowing. When you have chosen specific drinks to be served, this allows the bar to pre-batch the cocktails to ensure the bar line is kept short and so there aren’t an overwhelming number of different requests in the designated time period. Having a set menu and number of specialty drinks will help keep the time moving and everyone happy.

3. Do a first look!

If you choose to have a first look (where you and your partner see each other before the ceremony), not only will you allow time for an intimate couples portrait session, but you are also able to capture all of the wedding party and immediate family photos before the ceremony. This frees up a lot of time during cocktail hour that you can spend doing extended family photos, more couple portraits, taking some time to soak in being married, or even join your cocktail hour and guests.