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BANQUETS, RECEPTIONS, SHOWERS & PARTIES
12 | FALL & WINTER 2018
CHICAGO WEDDING & PARTY RESOURCE
CHICAGOWEDDINGRESOURCE.COMPut a Modern Twist on Cocktail Hour
Get your guests in a celebratory mood with a great mix of food, drinks and entertainment
By Anna Sachse, CTW Features
With all the time and money that goes
into throwing your wedding, why would
you want to miss one fabulous second
of it? That’s why more and more couples
are opting to have the bride’s big reveal
and take their group photos pre-I do’s
– that way they, too, can hang out with
the crowd during the cocktail hour. As
a result, this formerly mostly-functional
mixer has gotten a rather fun face-lift.
Like the idea of joining your own party?
Here’s how to kick your personal happy
hour into high gear.
TRANSPORTATION
If the ceremony and cocktail hour are in
two different locations, you can get the
party started before guests even arrive
by providing unique transportation, such
as a shuttle bus or trolley. You can even
take the group for a tour of a few favorite
local sight.
ENTERTAINMENT
The cocktail hour helps set the tone
for the rest of the night, so make sure
there’s festive music from the moment
you arrive. Ashley Lloyd, of Salt Lake
City-based Attention 2 Detail Events,
advises playing softer tunes that people
can still talk over. But don’t think you’re
limited to a streaming playlist – Lloyd
suggests hiring a Spanish guitar player,
jazz trio, bluegrass musicians, a calypso
or steel drum band, or even a lounge-
style singer.
Projecting a slideshow of family photos
also is an easy way to create ambience.
But the best way to help guests break
the ice is to get them involved in
activities – anything from ping-pong
and badminton to lassoing lessons at
a ranch event will do the trick. You can
also get the photo booth going and offer
an engaging guest book alternative, like
having guests write messages on fabric
squares for a quilt or on puzzle pieces
that you’ll assemble later.
FOOD & DRINK
Get drinks in your guests’ hands ASAP
by having servers pass favorite or
signature cocktails, advises Lloyd.
Additional wait staff can carry trays of
fancy iced tea, champagne and even
a spirit like whiskey on the rocks, to
ensure everyone has something they
love. Many couples also are offering
craft beer stations and wine tastings as
well as special lemonade stands just for
the kids.
The cocktail hour also is a great time
for action appetizer stations and/or
showcasing local cuisine. If you’re in
New England, for example, you could
create a cold seafood bar in a rowboat
filled with ice. But you don’t want guests
to fill up before dinner, notes Lloyd, so
focus on small bites that pack big flavor
and items that don’t require utensils.
© CTW Features
Get drinks in your
guests hands ASAP
by having servers
pass favorite or
signature cocktails.