LIWeddings.com
Post New Topic

Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

cluelessbride Posted:

Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

I think I am the only one.

gertyrae Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

We had one. Everyone loved it. They really liked being able to eat whatever they wanted and go back for seconds or thirds! We wanted a less structured wedding so we opted for that. BTW, we had a cocktail hour with passed hors d'euvres only.

cluelessbride Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

That's great to hear!! So do you mean your wedding was buffet? I am a little confused. Mine is 4 hours of 7 or 8 passed hors d'oeuvres and 4 hours of 2 stationary things.

wc0143 Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

Eight hours??????

cluelessbride Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

OMG, imagine 8 hours and no food! I'd have no friends after that one!

I meant to say 4 hours total, at which there will be 2 stationary things and 7-8 passed hors d'oeuvres. It's from 1-5PM.
belleboyd Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

I am soooooo relieved to read this post!! We
just decided today to change everything all around and do this.

We decided to do a 'sunday brunch' kinda thing with omelettes and waffles and a carving station etc ... I probably won't have passed trays or anything. Are there any pitfalls I should look out for when doing it this way?

Also I have another question:We opted to have a wine/beer/soda only bar. I intend to run a tab just for the bridal party. What are the opinions out there? Would you be completely outraged if you had to pay for your alcohol at a wedding The time frame for our wedding brunch is 1pm - 5pm, would that make a difference in your opinion??

Thanks for your input!
wc0143 Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

Posted by belleboyd

I am soooooo relieved to read this post!! We
just decided today to change everything all around and do this.

We decided to do a 'sunday brunch' kinda thing with omelettes and waffles and a carving station etc ... I probably won't have passed trays or anything. Are there any pitfalls I should look out for when doing it this way?

Also I have another question:We opted to have a wine/beer/soda only bar. I intend to run a tab just for the bridal party. What are the opinions out there? Would you be completely outraged if you had to pay for your alcohol at a wedding The time frame for our wedding brunch is 1pm - 5pm, would that make a difference in your opinion??

Thanks for your input!


I would have no problems with a brunch type event but I would be a bit put off to pay for drinks, JMO ... what if people wanted mimosas or bloody mary's (thinking of brunchy drinks)? Is 1-5P late for eggs & waffles? I'm not a egg eater, so I don't know.
gertyrae Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

We had our wedding 6 - 11 pm. The cocktail hour went from 6 to 7 and was passed and cold salads only. The reception started about 7 and they announced that the buffet was open after we came in and did our first dance, etc. We had a whole buffet...three pastas, fish, meat, chicken, eggplant, veggies, etc. That stayed open for a couple of hours and then around 9:30 or 10 they did cake and coffee. You will find that even though it is a lot of food you usually pay less per person cuz they don't need as much staff. Some places will not do it, though. The Watermill was adamant about not doing it.
As far as liquor is concerned. I think the time of day has a lot to do with it. Our wedding was on a Saturday nite, couldn't imagine not having an open bar. But a Sunday afternoon wedding would be appropriate.
cluelessbride Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

Belleboyd, I think in all honesty you need to have an open bar. Most restaurants/catering halls will offer it in their package anyway. I really like the brunch idea though.

futuremrspfm Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

My best friend had a cocktail reception and it was really great. It kept the dancing going all night and you could eat whenever you wanted.

nsgraham Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

Just LET PEOPLE KNOW - a couple we know did that but didn't indicate on the invite and we were STARVING because we hadn't eaten - we expected to eat at the wedding. And they passed a lot of things, but my FI is a picky eater.

butterfly20 Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

i agree with nsgram..... just let people know 'cocktail reception'....

sounds like a good idea! my fh LOVES the cocktail food more than the regular food....
september2004 Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

we were kicking around that idea for a sunday afternoon, but ultimately chose a saturday because we have lots of OOT guests. but i really like the idea, i wanted to do it at the vanderbilt mansion...

SandraLynn Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

We are having a 6 hours rolling cocktail party. From 6 to 6:30 is the ceremony, then from 7:30-8:30 is 8 passed w/ some salad type stations, fruit/chz.....then from 8:30--is the buffet cocktail evening...2 carving stations, 2 pasta stations, salads breads and a soup station (my father loves soup and their soup was fantastic).. i can't remember what else...then of course cake and coffee. Open bar, and wine tasting throughout the night as well. It is so much less formal, which we rather, than a sit down dinner...I just want to have a lot of deserts and a beautiful cake....I can't find a cake picture that knocks me over...Everyone I have told about the cocktail party likes the idea..and we are not having limos, and every one is relieved w/ that too. The PB wants to drive w/ their spouse...and it is not really that less expensive, about $10 a head less. I wanted my reception on Oct 1, at Raphael, b/c we have a time share which starts on the 3rd and Raphael already had the 2nd and 3rd booked, so in order to accomodate us we had to have the rolling cocktail, which was perfect for us since that is what we wanted....(whew, i am out of breath!).

dkwife Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

I'm doing a similar set up as SandraLynn...
Regular cocktail hour, then basically 2-3 hours of stations ... I hate the whole sit down dinner, it takes away actual dance/party time, which I want... and I still am having a black tie saturday night affair, to me, it's the best of both worlds... Paying so much for the band, don't give them an hour off : )
cluelessbride Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

I think I'm going to add a carving station even though I have told everyone - and it's one invites - that it is a cocktail reception. People will still not understand and I don't want anyone to be hungry!

CarrieAnn Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

I did (at the vanderbilt mansion)...

There was so much food and desert...

One word of caution...inquire about the plate size...
tinkerb30 Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

I am having a cocktail reception, but there is so much food it's pretty much a buffet with an hour of passed food for the cocktail hour.

JGirl11297 Posted:

Re: Is anyone else having a 'Cocktail reception'?

I am really happy to hear that so many people have good things to say about a 'cocktail reception' b/c that's what we are planning. How would you word it on the invite? I am afraid that my guests will think I am being cheap? What do you guys think?

Reply to this topic

Log in to reply or quote a post.