Would you prefer a no-cocktail hour?
No problem!
There are countless alternatives to having a cocktail hour! The time — after the ceremony but before the reception starts — is notoriously slow and boring. Some couples opt to have a traditional cocktail hour, but others want to spice things up a bit. There are countless alternatives and additions if a traditional cocktail hour is not for you! Here are some of my favorites:
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Live Music
Live music is a great way to entertain guests during the post-ceremony lull. Whether you have a favorite local band or hire some talented friends or family members, everyone will enjoy a good show.
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Photo Booth
A photo booth is another way you can keep guests occupied while they wait. You could set up a backdrop and props for guests to take their own photos, leave a few Polaroid cameras for instant prints, or even hire a photographer to snap great shots. You could also rent an automated photo booth for guests to enjoy a super cute souvenir from your wedding.
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Lawn Games
If your reception is outdoors or has an outdoor space that is usable, lawn games are a fun way for guests to pass the time. Set up a few cornhole sets, horseshoes, or even personalized yard games! Friends and family will surely love the pre-reception celebration.
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S’mores
If you do happen to be outside, another cute and delicious addition to your not-cocktail hour would be having a campfire and s’mores supplies!
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Cabanas
Cabanas are a fun way to spice up your outdoor not-cocktail-hour festivities. You can arrange little spaces for friends and family to relax and mingle. Decorate the cabanas in the style of your wedding, and incorporate pillows and blankets (if it’s chilly) to keep your guests comfortable.
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Slideshow
Are you planning on having a slideshow for your guests to enjoy during the reception? You could adjust the timing so that guests can enjoy your photos while they wait for you to arrive? You will then have more time for festivities later in the evening and keep your guests engaged. They will surely enjoy watching snapshots of you and your love while mingling with other guests.
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Table Games
Are you and your fiance board-game lovers? If so, this is a fun alternative to a traditional cocktail hour. Provide a variety of board games so that everyone — young and old — can find something to play! Make sure your favorites are available; you can even personalize a few classics.
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Bingo/Other Group Activities
If you would rather everyone do something as a group, there are lots of games that everyone can play together. Make sure and arrange an exciting emcee to keep the environment entertaining!
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Host a Wine or Beer Tasting
A wine or beer tasting is another yummy alternative to a traditional cocktail hour. Maybe you and your fiance even have a favorite local microbrewery or winery. You could hire a professional to guide your guests through a tasting of a variety of either your favorites or local favorites.
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Fun Cocktails & Spiked Popsicles
If you do want to have a true cocktail hour but you are not a fan of the basic cocktail menu, make things interesting with special cocktails. Provide boozy popsicles if it is a hot summer day. Hire a mixologist who will create unique concoctions your guests will not soon forget, or put a personal spin on the classics by naming cocktails after your venue or even your names!
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Marriage Advice Notecards & a Guestbook
People love giving advice, so why not solicit wisdom from guests who have been married for decades? Have notecards and pens on the tables for everyone to write down marriage advice and cute anecdotes. These cards might come in handy down the line!
Make sure your guests are comfortable.
The most important thing to ensure during a cocktail hour, or a not-cocktail hour, is that your guests are entertained and comfortable. If it is a time of day when guests will likely be hungry and have a hard time waiting until a meal is served, make sure there are snacks to munch on. If you are having an outdoor reception and the weather will be blistering hot, ensure there are activities or areas where guests can cool down. Your wedding guests will surely appreciate the extra effort you make to care for them! Also, you and your spouse will be able to enjoy the in-between time without worrying about your guests; you will know they are comfortable and having fun. Your creative planning allows everyone to be happy and create wonderful memories!
I can’t wait for your wedding! Our schedule fills up fast, so don’t wait to book us!
these are such great ideas for changing up a traditional cocktail hour! we see yard games a lot over here in Wisconsin. it’s always been a fave of mine 🙂
Yes for yard games! Thanks Jenna!
Love idea of s’mores at a reception!
Love the idea of table games at cocktail hour! My fiancé and I love to play dominos and I think that would be a super easy and fun way to add a personalized touch to cocktail hour that people would love!
There are some really unique ideas!! If had an outdoor wedding, s’mores would be a for sure! Hanging around some campfires ❤️ thanks for the post!!
Yard games are a must for us! 🙌🏼 We want an interactive wedding, and we want our guests to have fun without feeling any pressure or awkwardness. We also love the slideshow idea! We’re playing a love story video on a big screen before introductions. 😍
Love these ideas. More wedding receptions need cabanas for sure!!
These are great ideas! I think couples love anything educational to help with their big day. That’s why they picked you!
Oh wow these cocktail-hour alternatives are SO great! As someone getting married in a month, these are super helpful! Thank you for sharing so many awesome ideas! Your photos are beautiful too!
So many great ideas ! We had lawn games during our cocktail hour – totally forgot about that until now!
Oh my gosh this is so amazing! I love how you captured this day and the blog post tells the story so well!
This article is so good! I honestly never thought about cocktail other than food and drinks but this is perfect!
I’m a big fan of the s’mores idea, myself. But I’m also not one to turn away a specialty cocktail. I love these ideas!
I love ALL of these so much! This is such a great resource for couple looking to do something a little different for cocktail hour!