Post # 16

Member
1300 posts
Bumble bee
we are getting married in October and weather in New England is unpredictable so if it’s nice our cocktail hour will be held outside on a brick patio Right outside the ballroom. There will be a bar set up out there. If it’s harsh weather the cocktail will be held in the hallway outside the ballroom which is very nicely decorated and has a grand piano.
Post # 17

Member
1555 posts
Bumble bee
elliptical2013: We’re using the lobby outside of the ballroom for the cocktail hour. It has some seating, as well as room to mingle.
Post # 18

Member
319 posts
Helper bee
elliptical2013: We had it separate as well. We sort of wanted to have that “surprise/welcome” element to the reception, so that area was closed so we could open the doors after cocktail hour and invite them all in. Our cocktail hour was outdoors, off the side in front of where the reception was. There was a bar set up on vintage truck beds, those tall/bar heighth wine barrel cocktail tables and chairs set up around, under market lights. And some tables of fruit and cheese set up and then some hand passed apps.
Post # 19

Member
611 posts
Busy bee
It looks like I won’t be able to implement a separate area for the reception/cocktail hour but hopefully I should be able to give my photographer a heads up to take those decor photos as soon as possible before cocktail hour begins!
Thanks for your responses, I don’t feel as bad about not separating my reception/cocktail space anymore!
Post # 20

Member
604 posts
Busy bee
Our cocktail hour was spread over 2 small rooms and a patio at our hotel venue. One room had couches, plushy chairs and the bar. The DJ was in the 2nd room and the venue put high top cocktail tables over the dance floor. And there was a fire pit out on the patio. All of the rooms were connected through large, open patio doors so guests could flow from one to the other.
Post # 21

Member
2386 posts
Buzzing bee
We had our ceremony at a church, then the cocktail hour and reception at a hotel. The cocktail hour was held on an outdoor terrace with gazebos and lounge furniture, and guests also had access to an indoor gallery area with high-top tables (it was July so if people were too hot they could come inside). These were adjacent to the ballroom where the brunch was held.