Re: Cocktail Hour Question? Did you mingle w/guests/

I did not mingle, I took pics & hung out w/hubby.

My bridal suite only fit 1/2 our BP b/s I had so many people, but they mingled with the guests & the Maitre'd got us all back together for our entrance into the reception.

Re: Cocktail Hour Question? Did you mingle w/guests/

I had all intentions to. But I started to go to some tables and our maitre de pulled me away and told me to sit in the bidal suite. I was really glad he did. I was able to eat and just relax a little bit. I had some nice quiet time.

Re: Cocktail Hour Question? Did you mingle w/guests/

The 'plan' was to not attend CH and spend the time with our bridal party in the suite. We did spend some time with them, finished our pictures, interviews with the videographer, and then snuck into the main dining room to 'practice' our first dance with the band as they were setting up.
Looking back, if we had more time I would have liked to go to the cocktail hour but DH wanted to be 'introduced' into the reception

Re: Cocktail Hour Question? Did you mingle w/guests/

We did a little of everything. I am grateful for the large gap we had inbetween church/ceremony for that reason!

We hung with the BP in the bridal suite for awhile, since we were at the hall early. The BP wanted to go to the CH, so we were able to spend a nice period of time by ourselves. which was awesome. DH and I took time to relax, share our individual mornings (pre-ceremony), and we went into our ballromm just to take it all in (I highly recommend doing that -- its a great moment seeing your room all set up with the CPs and favors!)

The rest of the cocktail hour we took more pictures outside with our families. Since our cocktail hour was outside as well, everyone saw us anyhow .. so we went and mingled. I was so happy we did mingle , it was so great to catch up with everyone THEN so we dind't really have to 'make the rounds' during the reception when all we wanted to do was eat, drink & party!

It truly did not diminsih the 'Grand entrance' in my opinion. Its still a wonderful moment when you are first introduced as HUSBAND & WIFE!

Re: Cocktail Hour Question? Did you mingle w/guests/

I didn't attend my CH because I was taking pictures. I would have attended it if all the bridal party was in one place for photos!!

Re: Cocktail Hour Question? Did you mingle w/guests/

We went to out CH and greeted all of our guests. We never had a receiving line, so this was our way to welcome and thank everyone for coming. We took all of our pics before the ceremony. We totally enjoyed our CH, and guests loved seeing us at the CH. It did not take away from us being announced at all. At the reception we didnt need to go from table to table because we already greeted everyone. It helped us enjoy our entire wedding.

Re: Cocktail Hour Question? Did you mingle w/guests/

MaryAnne from my band made a good point, to try to mingle with everyone at your CH so you don't have to during the reception, so you have more time to yourselves to dance, etc.

We thought we had plenty of time for pictures, but I was a little late in the morning. We were able to go to the CH for 10 minutes!!

Definently try to make it to your CH to mingle.

Re: Cocktail Hour Question? Did you mingle w/guests/

We stayed in the bridal suite for the whole cocktail hour. We wanted to make a grand entrance for our reception.

Our bridal even left the suite so we spend some time alone together and relax.

Re: Cocktail Hour Question? Did you mingle w/guests/

We went to our cocktail hour...our church was at 2:15pm...1/2 hour ceremony...receiving line...then pictures from 3:00 to 4:30...cocktail hour began at 5pm. We were actually so ahead of schedule...we had time to spare.

My trick: (don't really think it is a trick) on my invitations I put that the ceremony started at 2 pm. that way everyone would be on time and we would be able to attend our CH.

ETA: ceremony time...it's been so long I forgot.