Cocktail hour or pre-drinks is that period of time between your ceremony finishing and your reception beginning. During this time, you’ll be taking photos with your wedding party and photographer, videographer and content creator… and your guests… well that’s up to you.
This week’s guest experts: Lena Freitag, Jeff Stanford Typewriter Poet, and Alex The Great Hypnotist.
Episode breakdown
There’s a temptation to just hope for the best and let guests mingle and entertain themselves… but experience shows that this doesn’t work. Your guests will end up milling about, especially those who don’t know many people.
So I’ve spoken with three amazing wedding suppliers who are particularly skilled at keeping guests entertained during cocktail hour so the festivities flow well!
How long should cocktail hour be? What information should you share with guests about cocktail hour beforehand?
Lena Freitag says:
Cocktail hour is a wonderful time for guests to relax! It should be one to 1.5 hours – gives people time to unwind without feeling rushed. Do you want guests to congratulate you after the ceremony or during cocktail hour? Either way, ensure the transition is smooth!
Having music will create a relaxed atmosphere (live music or a curated playlist). Seating – a mix of high tables and lounge furniture to give guests multiple options to stand or sit. Avoid planning any speeches or games during this time – let them relax and enjoy the moment. Canapes are crucial – helps guests not to get tipsy too quickly.
Communicate all relevant details on the invitation or invitation so guests know what to expect (timing, location and any special instructions).
How do you get guests involved in creating poetry during cocktail hour?
Jeff Stanford Typewriter Poet says:
Provide your guests with experience, with entertainment.
What Jeff does is set up with a vintage typewriter – guests come up, give him a topic or poem and in just a few minutes, he can take what they’ve given to him and craft a poem for them!
Guests will have a unique, personalised poem – a gift from you!
This starts to build a buzz of excitement as guests mingle and share their poems during cocktail hour.
This really brightens up the cocktail hour!
How do you use close up magic to entertain guests during cocktail hour?
Alex The Great Hypnotist says:
Comedy hypnosis and specialise in entertaining guests with close up magic during cocktail hour! This is a fantastic way to keep the energy high and the guests engaged as they mingle. Magic creates an intimate and interactive experience and breaks the ice! Adds a touch of wonder and excitement to the evening – ensuring there are no dull moments.
It also brings people together, fostering connections.
Add a unique and unforgettable touch to your wedding, closeup magic is the way to go!
So, to summarise… the key is to time things well (don’t leave guests hanging for too long) and to give them something to do which will be memorable!
