Most of the catering halls that I have looked at tell me that the cocktail hour is for mingling, that it is better NOT to have enough tables and chairs for everyone, because you want people walking around, talking to others. Personally, I HATE getting food and drink at a cocktail hour, only to find that there is not place to sit. I'd prefer seating for all my guests. The cateres that I want to book is advising against this but they are willing to accommodate me and they do have the space. Since they are the ones with more experience, should I take their advice on this issue???? I agree with their advice on all other issues! so far!!!!
gNi1125
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Re: Seating at cocktail hour
Don't know about everyone else but I like sitting. Last New Year's we went to a wedding at the Metropolitan and I got stuck leaning up against a wall for the whole CH. Whenever I went to get more food my spot against the wall was taken.
M&LSept1606
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Re: Seating at cocktail hour
I agree that there should be enough seating at the cocktail hour. I understand the concept of a cocktail hour. But, I know my family and by the time cocktail hour comes...they want to chow down. (Italian's you know!)
I think you should choose a reception hall that will do whatever you want them to do. Majestic Gardens provides seating for all your guests during cocktail. So does Vineyards, those were the only two we looked at! oh no..went to Hamlet Willow Creek too. All beautiful. Only 2 of the 3 provided seating for all guests. The last one I mentioned was a country club setting and they have set standards.
nferrandi
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Re: Seating at cocktail hour
Mingling, shmingling. People want to sit down and eat! Since my CH was indoors and outdoors, there was more than enough seating for everyone.
junebride!
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Don't you really find it frustrating when vendors tell you something, they say it like fact, but relly it's becasue it matches whatever they're selling????
People mingle wen they walk in, then they eat! At tables...I know I hate eating standing up (goes right to my toes ) and I usually end up dropping something on my shirt...North Ritz has lots of seating for CH
ssdbk
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Re: Seating at cocktail hour
Yes, I hate when they try to tell me something as if it is a fact, but it is really because it matches with what they are selling.
The reason for my questions is that we really want a book a place where the caterer feels strongly that the CH should not have seating for everyone......the room is big enough and he says he has enough tables and chairs but he seems to think that the party would be awful if everyone were to sit at cocktail hour.......should we just make sure that he will honor our wishes and then book? he seems so easygoing about everything else we want.
marymoon
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Re: Seating at cocktail hour
Don;t lsten to them. You have to look at what our uests will like. I personally NEED to sit during cocktail hour. I can NOT eat standing up, and I have back porblem and even if I didn't, i don't want to stand for an hour in high heels! IF your crowd is all 20 something s who are big drinkers and don't mind standing, fine...but for the most part you will have a large range of ages from the very young to the elderly and I find most people want to sit. My hall told me the mingling line too, but I want seating for people. I don't want to make people uncomfortable because I think it'll make the party better. I've been to weddings where there weren;t enough seats at the CH even to seat just the older guests...it was AWFUL! I say go with seating for at least 80% of your guests!
traceyd
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Re: Seating at cocktail hour
Personally I would like to make sure there was enough room for everyone to sit-it is so annoying to have to stand and eat!
JBKempf
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I agree w/ Traceyd.
We were told there was more than enough seating during CH for my guests. Imagine grandma walking around with her cheese and shrimp and not being able to sit!!!
dpli
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Re: Seating at cocktail hour
I went to a wedding at Villa Lombardi's in Nov. and I think it was the first time I was at a CH where everyone could sit, if they chose to. It was great, knowing that if I got up to get another drink or something else to eat, that my seat would still be empty when I got back.
I definitely vote with having more seating unless the place would be seriously cramped and hard to move in between the tables.
jesslangen
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Re: Seating at cocktail hour
I never really thought about this till now. Looking back and thinking my hall has plenty of seating for CH and also has the option of going to the gardens for more seating.
I personally would like to give my guests the option. If they want to sit, sit. If they want to stand, stand. People will do their own mingling when they feel like it.
jpavig
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I would definitely push for enough seating for everyone. There is nothing more annoying than trying to eat while standing up
nylisa
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Re: Seating at cocktail hour
Posted by traceyd
Personally I would like to make sure there was enough room for everyone to sit-it is so annoying to have to stand and eat!
I feel the same way so that is why we had our reception at the Manor East because there was a space for every guest at our cocktail hour.
LMFitz
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Re: Seating at cocktail hour
I can't stand not having a place to sit at the CH. Also, my concern that I've addressed with my hall (they had a similar recommendation as yours), is that the CH is that 'first impression' that you never get the chance to make again - so I want my guests to be able to sit as they balance their food and drink!
Katherine121
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There will be a seat for every one of my guests at CH. It is rude to ask someone in heels to stand for an hour while trying to eat.
LaurenluvsTJ
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I definitely think you should have enough seating for your guests at CH! There is nothing worse than having a plate in one hand, a drink in the other, and then having to do some kind of balancing act or grow a third arm in order to actually eat!
CubanBride
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That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard.
SomethingBlu
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Posted by LaurenEMT
I definitely think you should have enough seating for your guests at CH! There is nothing worse than having a plate in one hand, a drink in the other, and then having to do some kind of balancing act or grow a third arm in order to actually eat!
I agree! Tell him that you 'understand where he's coming from and are grateful for his opinion' but would need to guarantee that every person has a seat during the CH. Worst case scenario, there are extra chairs and tables that are empty...best case scenario, everyone's happy, eating, drinking and sitting waiting for your arrival!
Much better than people standing around waiting for others to finish up so they can grab their seats!
aimerliny
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Re: Seating at cocktail hour
I agree with you -- I hate juggling at the cocktail hour.
I would do it the way you want. With enough seating, people have the option to sit OR mingle. This way it is up to your guest -- not your catering hall.
ssdbk
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Hey everyone---great news--My FH called the hall and he was told not to worry and that they are willing to give us the wedding that we want (with our own vision of how the CH should be). They proposed several ideas for accommodatiing more seating at cocktail hour, including, extra seating in the cocktail room itself, and/or some tables and chairs in the lobby area right outside the cocktail room (that was my idea, based on a wedding that I had been to at another place), or even opening another room that is adjacent to the cocktail room and can seat another 40 ppl. We are going to meet with them and discuss possible layouts.
We are still considering another hall but I really want it to work out with this one!!!
Thank you all for reassuring me that my idea was not terrible. It's funny, I think that at weddings I spend more time sitting at the cocktail hour than I do at the reception.
