90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

Original post by ericaandlou

Oct 21, 2009 03:12 PM

My RH is giving me the option for free of having either a 90 minute cocktail hour or to add an extra half hour onto the end of my reception.

The ceremony and everything is happening at the RH so we don't have to drive anywhere, but I don't want to do pictures beforehand.

I think the longer CH is the way to go, so we can take pics, relax and not be rushed, but FH def wants to have a longer reception. He thinks people will get restless being in the CH room for such a long time. I disagree because they will have plenty of food and drinks available to them and space to stay inside and/or weather permitting go outside as well.

He feels that since there is no travel time, and the ceremony should only be about 20 minutes, that we can get everything done in the hour.

What do you guys think? Thanks!

JLWSJC Posted: Oct 21, 2009 08:20 PM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

I wonder why they make you choose... if you're gonna add the half an hour, why does it matter if the extra half is cocktail hour or main party?

I would do the CH hour though, like a lot of people said, you can do photos and have a better shot at sneaking in and enojying some of it.

ETA... Wait, just to make sure I understand... are they making you choose between extending the cocktail hour within your allotted time and having an extra half added to the end? Or are they asking you if you want a half hour added to the beginning for CH OR added to the end for reception?

Does that make sense?

I'm a moron sometimes, lol.

MrsHazel2B Posted: Oct 21, 2009 08:21 PM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

If I had the option, I'd go with the longer reception, more dancing!

Lady12 Posted: Oct 21, 2009 08:46 PM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

I would absolutely do an extended reception. I know that I myself get restless after 45 minutes in a cocktail hour. The last wedding I went to the CH went over one hour and it was annoying because there was nothing to do! Venues normally put out just a few tables and chairs and I cant even imagine standing for 90 minutes if I didnt find a chair. I understand the photo section because I think about it all the time, but I really really want to spend as much time with my guests as possible. It is really a personal decision, that's just my take on long CHs.

futureMrsJSL Posted: Oct 21, 2009 08:56 PM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

I'd do the extended reception. CH is great but when you're dancing and having a good time, you just want the night to continue. I know I get bummed when the reception is about to end. The last wedding I went to they extended it by an hour and that last hour of dancing was amazing!!

drivwal Posted: Oct 21, 2009 09:12 PM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

I would prob extend the reception because I would want more party time but its up to you. Are you taking pictures before the ceremony as well? if so, then you don't really need extra time added on to the cocktail hour for pics. if not, then you might want to add the time because you are going to need time for pics. totally up to you guys and your plans for the day

Tessie728 Posted: Oct 21, 2009 10:10 PM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

I wish I would have gotten this option. If i were you i would do CH only because you have more time for pictures. Im stressing about squeezing everything in during that hour!

soontobemrsi Posted: Oct 21, 2009 11:28 PM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

im getting married at the inn too.... as of now i decided to leave it w/ the 1 1/2 cocktail hour so i can take pictures and still have time to enjoy my cocktail hour... i also have the extra time for the Viennese so my whole wedding will be from 7-1 there will be plenty of time to party (830-1) so i figure cocktail hour is the way to go ....(for now lol)

JenBill61210 Posted: Oct 22, 2009 07:47 AM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

Posted by seawedding

Longer reception. In my opinion, cocktail hours are long enough

i agree with this. my sister got married at the inn and had the hour an a half CH... it felt like we were in the CH room forever

MrsCastanedain09 Posted: Oct 22, 2009 09:03 AM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

Reception all the way. You spend so much on CP's, lighting, entertainment....you should use that extra half hour to showcase all of that. Also, who minds more time for dancing?

01ELLIE Posted: Oct 22, 2009 09:14 AM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

i chose to extend the reception....our wedding ceremony is the day before so there should be no timing issues for our guests...i think if there is a big gap between your ceremony and reception then add the extra time to the CH

dec21bride Posted: Oct 22, 2009 10:20 AM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

More reception time! The day goes by very fast trust me the wedding reception time will not feel like the 4 or 5 hours.

ericaandlou Posted: Oct 22, 2009 01:52 PM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

WOW, thanks ladies for all the responses!!

Still not sure what to do, I see both sides. I think since we are not going anywhere between the ceremony and reception, eveything is at the Inn, we should be okay for pics, but I hate the thought of being rushed.

However, I don't want my guests to get restless either during a longer CH.

Decisions, decisions...

jcreilly Posted: Oct 22, 2009 02:40 PM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

I would rather have more dancing time!

Jesebelle Posted: Oct 22, 2009 03:04 PM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

I am having a 90min CH. The ceremony is at the RH so I definitely did not want to miss the CH. It really depends on what you want and what you think your guests would like. Lots of people I know really love the CH. Someone brought up seating, well I guess it depends if your RH has enough seating during the CH, mine has plenty. Extending the CH gives people more time to chat and catch up, as the reception is usually louder and you don't get to choose where you sit, so less time for talking and mingling.

meganbrandon Posted: Oct 22, 2009 03:06 PM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

personally i love cocktail hours at weddings - so i would chose that... and it would give you and FH more time to mingle!

Rysgirl12 Posted: Oct 23, 2009 10:41 PM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

Hey there!!

I am getting married a week before you at the Inn at New Hyde Park! Yayyyy who's freakin excited?? haha!! We opted to add the extra half an hour to the end of our reception instead of doing the 90 minute cocktail hour. We are also having our ceremony there so I feel ya in trying to make a decision.

We just felt the 90 minutes for cocktail hour wasn't needed because everyone will already be there for the ceremony and unless they miss the ceremony, they will not be driving to get there and be late. In our experience we have been to a few wedding where the cocktail hour was longer than an hour and although it definitely is nice we just thought it was too long. We noticed that people eat sooooooooo fast during cocktail hour that by the end everyone is just waiting around to go into the ballroom. I would say if you are having 400 people then maybe do the longer cocktail hour so people can get food. We just wanted the extra 30 minutes at the end of the night for dancing and partying.

If you want to wait....I can let ya know how it goes after the wedding. hahaha But whatever decision you do make will be the right one for you and your fiance. Let me know what you decide! Good luck!!

P.S. If anyone watches Say Yes to the Dress I was on it 2 weeks ago hehehehe sooooooo fun!!!

Rysgirl12 Posted: Oct 23, 2009 10:44 PM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

Hey there!!

I am getting married a week before you at the Inn at New Hyde Park! Yayyyy who's freakin excited?? haha!! We opted to add the extra half an hour to the end of our reception instead of doing the 90 minute cocktail hour. We are also having our ceremony there so I feel ya in trying to make a decision.

We just felt the 90 minutes for cocktail hour wasn't needed because everyone will already be there for the ceremony and unless they miss the ceremony, they will not be driving to get there and won't be late. We are getting dressed there, taking pictures there before also so we don't need the extra time during the cocktail hour. I WILL NOT MISS MY COCKTAIL HOUR! LOL

In our experience we have been to a few wedding where the cocktail hour was longer than an hour and although it definitely is nice we just thought it was too long. We noticed that people eat sooooooooo fast during cocktail hour that by the end everyone is just waiting around to go into the ballroom. I would say if you are having 400 people then maybe do the longer cocktail hour so people can get food. We just wanted the extra 30 minutes at the end of the night for dancing and partying.

If you want to wait....I can let ya know how it goes after the wedding. hahaha But whatever decision you do make will be the right one for you and your fiance. Let me know what you decide! Good luck!!

P.S. If anyone watches Say Yes to the Dress I was on it 2 weeks ago hehehehe sooooooo fun!!!

Cassie15 Posted: Oct 24, 2009 02:10 AM

Re: 90 Minute Cocktail Hour or Longer Reception

Speaking from experience, I would def recommend a long reception instead of a 90 min CH. Usually after an hour, guests start to get restless and wander off. After drinks and food, anyone will feel more laid back and at ease. Typically, CH last an hour which is more than enough time to mingle and eat before the reception. It might be a bit of a long stretch for the CH to last 90 mins. We start dinner at 8pm and the caterers had us down for 7pm and claim it went over an hour and half. Things happen and you never know when time can be underestimated for events. I would def allow more time for the reception esp if it's in the evenings.