How To Elevate Your Wedding Cocktail Hou
Cocktail hour plays such an important role in a wedding day. It is the transition between the ceremony and the reception when guests can greet each other and relax. It’s the period when guests need to settle in so they can fully enjoy the party! So, why is it often overlooked? As a live wedding illustrator, I’ve seen many weddings with phenomenal receptions and ceremonies but bland, boring cocktail hours. Many couples don’t put a lot of time or effort into their cocktail hour simply because they won’t be there. If you’re planning on taking a lot of family photos or portraits during this time, it’s understandable that you would choose to prioritize the reception or ceremony. However, if you’re planning an elevated wedding, you need to step up your cocktail hour to match. If you’re looking for some tips and tricks to elevate your wedding cocktail hour, here are some of our favorite ideas.
Cocktail Hour Music
When guests step into your cocktail hour, one of the first things they notice is the music. This first impression can make or break the vibe. I love it when couples opt for an elevated choice like a string quartet or jazz trio for cocktail hour. Live musicians are such a classy detail, and they really change the energy in a space. Plus, if you’re incorporating your culture or heritage throughout your day, you can opt for musicians that reflect that.
Food & Drink
Of course, food and drink are the most important part of cocktail hour. While everyone loves passed hors d'oeuvres, there are so many fun ways you can elevate this experience! Here in the DMV/northeast coast, a great addition is an oyster bar! There’s nothing that shouts “Chesapeake Bay” more than someone shucking raw oysters for your guests. Or if seafood isn’t your thing, you can add a grazing table to your cocktail hour. Everyone loves fancy meat and cheese! In the northeast, I’ve seen a lot of fun coffee bars. These are an especially great option if you have lots of guests who don’t drink alcohol or are having a brunch wedding. Tea is another great option – I’d love to work a wedding with a Boba bar!
Cocktail Hour Seating
If you ask guests what their least favorite part of cocktail hour is, many will talk about the lack of seating. Often, we see cocktail hours without any seating at all! When planning your cocktail hour, consider adding some luxury seating options in addition to your standard high-top tables. We personally love the trend of adding a lounge space with plush armchairs and couches for guests to relax on.
Interactive Experiences
The best way to liven up your wedding cocktail hour is with interactive experiences for your guests! This gives them something to do in addition to sipping and snacking. A photo booth is a classic choice, but there are many other great options. There are living champagne walls, interactive seating charts, and more! A personal favorite of mine is Beer Burros in Texas – live donkeys that come around and pass out beer to your guests! And, of course, I can’t forget live wedding illustrations. A live wedding illustrator will draw or paint your wedding guests so they have a sweet favor and piece of art to take home.
Wedding Cocktail Hour with SamiaLynn Design
I love illustrating wedding guests during cocktail hour. The music is softer, the guests are excited to celebrate, and everyone is still looking fresh. Cocktail hour is such an underrated part of a wedding day, and I’m its biggest fan. If you’re looking for live illustrations or even custom pre-drawn illustrations for your wedding day, reach out to see if your date is available.
