Has anyone though about not having a cocktail hour or just providing the minimum amount of food during cocktail hour to reduce cost?
We've heard so much about the abundance of food at weddings that people end up not having an appetite for reception food.
Does anyone know if the reception halls will reduce the cost if you don't have the cocktail hour or just reduce the amount of stations?
Thanks!
Mikeysgirl
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Re: Not Having Cocktail Hour?
If you're skipping the coctail hour make sure the hall you choose has excellent dinner choices.
reenielady
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Re: Not Having Cocktail Hour?
Before cutting the cocktail hour i would ask the hall if they would give you a discount to cut some dinner choices. I think most people look forward to the cocktail hour and maybe majorly disappointed if it wasn't there.
kittythestray
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Re: Not Having Cocktail Hour?
Hello date twin I think you should do what you're comfortable with and fits in your budget. I do agree with the above poster, though, that if you reduce something I would reduce the dinner choices rather than the coctail hour because most people eat more at coctail hour and look forward to the coctail hour more than at the dinner (Like having sliced steak as opposed to prime rib) Also maybe just serving 2 or 3 signature drinks made with a certain type of alcohol and one type of draft beer rather than a whole open bar would reduce cost a little??
Angel2006
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Posted by reenielady
Before cutting the cocktail hour i would ask the hall if they would give you a discount to cut some dinner choices. I think most people look forward to the cocktail hour and maybe majorly disappointed if it wasn't there.
I agree most ppl say that the best part of the reception is the CH
Tracy&Brian
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i look forward to CH so much when i go to a wedding. If there was no CH or a minimal CH I would be very dissapointed. I would rather no meal! Why dont you try to reduce the amount of Dinner options to cut costs. Nobody ever cares about the actual meal at the reception.
glinda_goodwitch
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IMO, cocktail hour is the best part of the wedding, and everyone really enjoys it. I think if you are going to cut costs somewhere, it should not be the CH. People won't notice if you have the regular menu instead of the deluxe menu, but they will notice if there is no CH.
SeptBride70
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Posted by reenielady
Before cutting the cocktail hour i would ask the hall if they would give you a discount to cut some dinner choices. I think most people look forward to the cocktail hour and maybe majorly disappointed if it wasn't there.
i agree, it's my fave part. i'm a picky eater so i find i only eat at the CH regardless of my hunger because they have so much variety there and i can find something i like...
try that, if not i don't think it would be the END of the world if you didn't-- just make sure the dinner choices are GREAT...
HTH, good luck to you
CLMon7906
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Posted by glinda_goodwitch
IMO, cocktail hour is the best part of the wedding, and everyone really enjoys it. I think if you are going to cut costs somewhere, it should not be the CH. People won't notice if you have the regular menu instead of the deluxe menu, but they will notice if there is no CH.
i agree...maybe see if the 'dinner' can be buffet style?? i love the cocktail hour...and not really for the cocktails either.
mrsh2b
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I haven't heard of doing what you suggested, however I have heard of people having just an extended CH and then an extended viennese hour as opposed to a whole sit down thing so it's more of a cocktail party.
MissingTheBGene
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I would try and cut corners elsewhere, definitely not the CH though, many say that's the best part.
ali120206
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I have a friend who cut back on cocktail hour and the people were flocking to the waitstaff to get the few passed hor deourves they had.
I would look to cut back elsewhere, maybe look into a buffet or cut a course. Or maybe cut back on the passed hor deorves and just have stations.
heidla
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I know that the people at my wedding still talk abou the food at the cocktail hour. If I had know it was going to be such a hit I would have extended it and skipped the sit down.
eroxgirl
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My MIL told me once that if she misses the CH at a wedding, she just wont eat. Don't cut the cocktail hour, it is one of the highlights of a wedding. Cut out some dinner choices if you can, like others have said.
Blu-ize
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I would rather skip dinner. The cocktail hr is the best part!
chander618
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Don't do it most people like and eat the most at the CH, I would cut back on the dinner first
stephanief
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I say do whatever you want and whatever fits into your budget. $crew what other people think.
patticakes
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Ours is being called a Cocktail Half-Hour because we are having a sit-down brunch. Something different...
eden
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Thanks for everyone's input! I never knew that a CH means that much. I'll just have to talk to WM and find out what they can do. Maybe reduce the # of choices on the main course?
mrsh2b
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Either that or cut out one of the courses, i.e. the app, the salad or the pasta. That will help too
