5 Ways to Make Cocktail Hour Unforgettable
You’ll always remember your wedding day, so why not make it just as memorable for your guests? After the formalities of the ceremony, cocktail hour is the perfect time to set the tone for the rest of the day. Here are five fantastic ways to entertain your guests.
Photo by Pulse Photography & Design
Photo by Forest City Photographs
Custom Cocktails
Signature drinks are a popular trend at weddings and a great way to add a personal touch to cocktail hour. These are a great way to show guests some insight into your personalities, interests, and life as a couple. Another added benefit: it greatly speeds up service time at the bar!
Favorite Flavors
Choose drinks based on what you and your guests like to drink: favorite cocktail, favorite flavor profile, or a mocktail if you don’t drink alcohol.
Nifty Names
Choose names for your drinks based on something personal to you as a couple: His, Hers, & Ours; include your pets if they aren’t able to be in attendance (bonus points to include pictures); or important places (where you met, places you’ve vacationed, places you lived etc).
Scene Setting
Another great way to keep guests engaged during cocktail hour is to provide some live entertainment. This is a great way to add cultural elements to the day and enhance the style of the day: formal and romantic or casual and whimsical.
Making Music:
Hire a harpist, guitar player(s), or a string quartet to set the mood for cocktail hour. Choose something that fits the vibe for your day.
Portrait Painter
A live wedding painter can create a painting of a moment from the wedding; or you can hire a portrait artist that doubles as the favor for your guests.
Making Memories
Non-traditional guest books are gaining popularity at weddings. Instead of a book that gathers dust on a shelf somewhere, opt for an interactive guest book that keeps guests engaged or can be displayed in your home.
Recording Room
There are many companies that offer an audio guest book where guests leave a recorded message for the couple.
Signature Series
Have guests sign something other than a book: a mat for a framed photo, boards of wood to turn into a bench or frame, or fabric squares to make a quilt.
Picture Perfect
Another great way to entertain guests and get extra photos of the reception is to task guests with capturing candid moments. You can get photos of everyone in attendance as well as special moments throughout the day.
Selfie Station
Set up a photo booth or selfie station in your cocktail hour space: add a background that’s specific to your wedding theme and props that are personalized to you as a couple.
QR Quest
Give guests a mission: have a list of people, places, and things for them to photograph. Have a QR code for everyone to upload the photos so you get to keep a copy of every moment.
Party Pastimes
Adding in games and/or puzzles during cocktail hour can be another enjoyable way to keep guests active and amused. You can personalize these to you as a couple or your wedding day, or you can have your favorites available.
Board not Bored
Yard games like bags, ladder toss, or giant jenga can be set up for people to play. You can also have board games like D&D, chess, or card games available.
Puzzle Pieces
Have a Sip & Solve, a personalized crossword puzzle with clues about you as a couple, or a puzzle of a picture or you as a couple for guests to complete.
Cocktail hour can be a fun and engaging part of your celebration when you incorporate fun elements that reflect your personalities. Thoughtful planning and creativity can create a cocktail hour that is a highlight of your wedding day.
The Homestead 1854 is a family owned and operated intimate wedding and event venue in Plano, IL. If you’re looking for a unique and historic wedding venue in Illinois, you’ve found it. Contact us here to learn more about what we offer and how to start planning the intimate wedding of your dreams.
