Greeting guests at the cocktail hour and pics

More and more couples are joining their cocktail hour as the day goes by so quickly as it is. Why not enjoy it. The only exception to this is when you have a ceremony at the reception site and do not wish to see each other before the ceremony for photos. Then it usually isn't possible to have the cocktail hour also for socializing. I would do whatever you feel is right for you. Things are changing from the way it used to be where couples spent time sitting with the bridal party until they were formally announced. In answer to your question about being announced formally, usually this is not done in the cocktail hour but rather when you come into your reception. Most couples just kind of saunter in. Hope this helps.

I am not a photographer so please forgive me for answering - but this is a topic that bride's constantly ask me - and it is also one of the topics I cover in my seminars to bridal consultants. Definitely attend your cocktail hour. This is a golden opportunity to meet with your guests and eliminate many of the formalities of the reception. You do not need to be introduced during the cocktail hour. You want to eliminate as much stress, worry and anxiety as possible and mingling with your guests during the cocktail hour will solve much of this for you. It also frees up your time during the reception to be able to dance with your new husband as well as your guests. I always tell brides to schedule enough time between the ceremony (church) and reception to allow the photographer to take the necessary photos.The amount of time needed should be discussed with your photographer. So many brides lose out on dancing at their reception because they are caught up in the obligations of talking with their guests. By taking care of as much of this as possible during the cocktail hour you will be able to enjoy your wedding reception time so much more.
Have a wonderful wedding- hope this was of help to you.
STAN WIEST
A.STAN WIEST MUSIC
Member Association Of Bridal ConsultantsStan Wiest Website Stan Wiest email

Thanks a lot for your suggestions!!! Stan Weist I agree with you completely! I was told by Chateau Briand to allocate 2 hours for photographs within the grounds in and out. I have figured out that we can do that and still have ample time to appear at the cocktail hour. I have heard from many brides-to-be this is the best way to go, I just wanted to hear from the vendors point of view.
Thanks again!

Chateau Briand is fantastic and anything they tell you
will work perfectly. I have been recommended by them for eleven years and cannot say enough nice things about them. I am taking care of the wedding of the daughter of the owner of the Chateau Briand in September. I am leaving lots of time between ceremony and cocktail hour. I am providing Sitar and Tabla musicians for the cocktail hour. This will be very unique and the bride wants to enjoy evey moment of it -and she will. Make sure you enjoy your cocktail hour as well. Best of luck on the most wonderful day of your life.
STAN WIEST
A.STAN WIEST MUSIC
Member Association Of Bridal Consultants Stan Wiest Website Information Stan Wiest Email

I absolutely agree with the previous posts for all the reasons given. A hearty affirmative!

As far as scheduling time for photography, by all means speak with your photographer about timing! I generally like to schedule an hour (instead of two) and can easily do all the posed family/bridal party combinations in an average of 15-30 minutes. When I need to rush because the timing is tight it is feasible to do all those pictures in as little as 10 minutes. (I prefer tighter timing, because the guests should be able to go right from the ceremony to the reception (what do they do for two hours?) and you should always be free for as much of your cocktail hour as possible. And yes, when the ceremony is at the place of the reception it's always better to do the posed pictures before (although as I said, we really CAN be as quick as 10-15 minutes!)

Sooo..... every photographer is different and it is best to check with whomever you hired before firming up the timing.