cocktail hour predicament

twoifbysea Posted: Nov 30, 2008 12:13 PM

cocktail hour predicament

So, my ceremony will likely take place at 5:00 pm (church's policy). My reception location is very close by, but I am worried that my FH and I won't be able to make the cocktail hour which starts at 6:30 (even though we will be taking pictures on site). I am REALLY against taking pictures before the ceremony; I want the first time we see one another to be at the end of the aisle.

My mom is sort of traditional and doesn't think that the bride and groom are supposed to be at the cocktail hour anyway, but I disagree. I don't want to miss out on it! What do you girls think? Should I just grin and bear it or rearrange everything? I'd like to know if you plan on attending your own cocktail hours or if you think it's more for the guests.

TIA on this....

cynandkeith Posted: Nov 30, 2008 12:23 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

I am defiently going to my cocktail hour- I want to see all the foods I picked out and the entertainment I chose. I also want to start to say my hello's so i can dance it up at the reception.

But i am taking pictures before the ceremony- and maybe a couple during CH- but i want at least a half hour in the CH....

maybe you can change the CH to start at 7 or 7:30??? or maybe you can make the CH an hour and a half so that way guests still have somewhere to go

geegee827 Posted: Nov 30, 2008 12:27 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

I am planning on attending my cocktail hour (I waited a long tim for my wedding day - I don't want to miss ANY of it). We are also not seeing each other before the ceremony. However, I have a a couple of hours in between (the church is at 3 - cocktail hour starts at 7). I would see if you could push back your cocktail hour or if it's not too much $$$ make it an hour and a half instead of an hour.

We are thinking about extending the cocktail hour just because it's my favorite part of any wedding (it's always the best food) and it's a little more informal and I'll have more time to greet my guests and spend a little time with them.

JSG10506 Posted: Nov 30, 2008 12:28 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

I definitely want to be at my CH, and am hoping to make it to the last half hour or so of it so I can begin my hello's that way I can enjoy myself at my reception. If you want to make it to the CH what if you move it a half hour later or something, then you have more than enough time to take pics and you'll be able to make it to the CH also.

Almostawife Posted: Nov 30, 2008 12:57 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

cocktail hour is the best time, plus you can talk to all of your guest so once the recpetion starts you can spend the time enjoying yourself.

I want all pics done before ceremony. I am going to have a special picture taken of when FH sees me for the first time, it just wont' be as I walk down the aisle, it will actually be a close up.

My brother and SIL were walked in back to back and when they turned around and saw each other for the first time, the photographer was able to catch it up close.

Jaime321 Posted: Nov 30, 2008 01:01 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

I don't want to miss my cocktail hour either! Maybe you can start the reception later.

JenBill61210 Posted: Nov 30, 2008 01:18 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

my mom thinks the same way as you but i'd like to go to my CH, even if its just the last half hour or 20 minutes. GIve your photographer a list of must take photos so you can maybe get them out of the way quicker and attend part of your CH. hope all works out!

RockysGirl Posted: Nov 30, 2008 01:35 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

i plan to be apart of Cocktail Hour, that's why i arranged a long gap between the ceremony & the reception (I, too, don't like the idea of the Bride & Groom seeing one another before the Wedding). But even though i PLAN to be apart of CH, i may not. Honestly, my friend also wanted to be apart of it at her wedding, but when the moment came, we were just having too much fun in the bridal suite. The waiters brought us in all the food and drinks we wanted, so there really was no need to be out there. I, as her bridesmaid, did go into CH, but her & her DH didn't at all. She kept telling me later how much she loved those quiet moments alone with him. She didn't feel as though she missed out on much anyway.

So if I were you, I'd keep everything as is. If you can't change the actual hours (to make the ceremony earlier or the CH later) then you should just take the pics when arranged and I'm sure you won't be terribly broken about missing CH. Maybe you'll only miss a little anyway (esp since pics will be taken on site). But don't compromise with the that special moment you & FH will share when you walk down that aisle & he sees you for the first time

Nitania13 Posted: Nov 30, 2008 01:38 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

I'm going to the cocktail hour, but we're seeing each other and doing pics beforehand b/c we're Jewish & have to sign the ketubah first anyway, so walking down the aisle isn't the first time we'll see each other. I would say to do the pics before if possible. Or see if you can shorten your service a bit to make it work? I hope that helps.

megsher Posted: Nov 30, 2008 01:38 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

I'm in the minority here, but I don't want to be at the CH. I like the idea of having some drinks and food with just the BP, and then being announced at the reception. JMO

MrsD71208 Posted: Nov 30, 2008 02:48 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

Our church was at 11 and CH started at 12:30. We made it to our CH, which was extended, by 1:30....we enjoyed 1/2 hour there.

BoxOfRocks Posted: Nov 30, 2008 02:50 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

DH and I attended the cocktail hour. We had our wedding party and family pics before the ceremony. Instead of getting those shots during the CH, we said hello to our guests and got large group shots of extended family (with cousins, etc.)

Deeglasser Posted: Nov 30, 2008 05:23 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

i would change it if you could... if you are having a full-on mass, it could take 45mins. if you are just having a short ceremony then i would say about 30mins. then factor in the receiving line after the ceremony- another 1/2 hour....

LeeAnne Posted: Nov 30, 2008 05:51 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

we are definetly going to our CH. i told my photographer that if we arent done with pictures by 6:30 i am not taking them!

however, our ceremony is at 2:30 and the CH doesnt start until 6:30 so we have a lot of time between

tlp123 Posted: Nov 30, 2008 06:12 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

We took pictures before the ceremony. Our hall made arrangements so that we could have a 'first meeting' and it was really wonderful. Even better than if we saw each other for the first time at the ceremony b/c we were alone. It was just us and the photographers. It was really special. Then, we got to enjoy the cocktail hour as well and were able to relax after the ceremony. I recommend that route.

Karsav7096 Posted: Nov 30, 2008 09:03 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

Posted by tlp123

We took pictures before the ceremony. Our hall made arrangements so that we could have a 'first meeting' and it was really wonderful. Even better than if we saw each other for the first time at the ceremony b/c we were alone. It was just us and the photographers. It was really special. Then, we got to enjoy the cocktail hour as well and were able to relax after the ceremony. I recommend that route.

This is what we are doing. I'm glad I read your post cause I was nervous about the 'first meeting' idea so it is nice to see positive feedback on it!!

jenandmatt2009 Posted: Nov 30, 2008 09:06 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

Cathleennn Hi!!!!
Matt and I are attending cocktail hr..from all the brides I know they say its the best thing to do so can can get the hellos over with and enjoy the wedding :) And I was against it in the beginning but the more I thought about it, you pay all this money for your wedding you should enjoy every second of it

BTW what does TIA mean..lol..your going to have to be my translator :)

GT143EA Posted: Nov 30, 2008 09:09 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

I'm taking pictures before the ceremony so we dont miss the CH

GT143EA Posted: Nov 30, 2008 09:09 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

Posted by jenandmatt2009

BTW what does TIA mean..lol..your going to have to be my translator :)

thanks in advance

tlp123 Posted: Nov 30, 2008 09:17 PM

Re: cocktail hour predicament

Posted by Karsav7096

Posted by tlp123

We took pictures before the ceremony. Our hall made arrangements so that we could have a 'first meeting' and it was really wonderful. Even better than if we saw each other for the first time at the ceremony b/c we were alone. It was just us and the photographers. It was really special. Then, we got to enjoy the cocktail hour as well and were able to relax after the ceremony. I recommend that route.
This is what we are doing. I'm glad I read your post cause I was nervous about the 'first meeting' idea so it is nice to see positive feedback on it!!

I loved it! I love the photographs and video of it as well. His eyes were closed and his back was to me, and he was standing on a bridge. Then I came up behind him and tapped him on his shoulder. It was really nice.