6 Recipes to Have the Perfect Cocktail Hour at Your Wedding

In between the wedding ceremony and dinner celebration, there lies the cocktail hour. Often overlooked, cocktail hour should be just as important as other wedding hours — because, think about it: it's exactly when your friends and families would be gathering together, sipping your favorite drinks, and enjoying the early evening. So, here are things you'd need to pull the perfect cocktail hour:

1. Create an open layout

The cocktail hour should be the hour when your friends and families mingle around; so walking out of your wedding ceremony and pushing their way to the party room would be the mood killer. Therefore, create a layout in an open air, like in the garden or anywhere outdoor. Free space, accessible food and drinks, with great companies would be the perfect way to design cocktail hour.

2. Get the food and drinks in their hands fast

As soon as they step into the area, get the server to prepare the food and drinks for the guests around. Otherwise, you would get a long, bothersome queue at the bar.

3. Choose your signature wedding-cocktail

The first option is to match the wedding cocktail with the wedding's color scheme. Or else, you can mix and match the classic drinks and create your own cocktails, named after you and your partner (or a made-up name). It will give a personal touch into your wedding, and it reflects well on your personalities. You can always be creative with the mix and presentation, just remember to have a testing session before the wedding.

4. Provide comfortable seating

Make your cocktail area as comfortable as possible. You would want them to mingle easily, so don't crowd the area with chairs.

5. Play some soft notes

The music for your cocktail hour should be comfortable enough for your guests to talk, so keep it slow and easy. Match the music with the mood you want to set.

6. Put on the most efficient decoration

Cocktail hours are the socializing hours; so your guests will not be focusing on decor. Minimize your decoration costs by placing low candles and float three flower heads, leftover from the centerpieces and place it in glass vessels. This way, you will cut unnecessary costs and save your budget from bleeding.