Cocktail Hour Entertainment...

Well, we are having the full open bar, plus the DJ will be playing music and there will be 3 different types of hors 'douvres being passed around. So there will be drinking, food and music entertainment to keep everyone occupied while we take pictures. But we are also doing at least 2 hours of pictures BEFORE the ceremony so hopefully we don't need all of the time slated after.

Well my wedding was very similar to yours in a lot of ways-- ceremony and reception in one place, and we had "appetizer hour" since ours was alcohol free as well, lol. The DJ played some nice tropical music, and we just let people mingle... they got their placecards, found their seats, had appetizers, talked and socialized, looked around the room at the cake, the gift table, the guestbook... which isn't really "entertainment" but it worked out fine.

I will mention, however, that we were VERY mindful of time... we did not want people to get bored, so we made sure to come back and start the reception after about 45 minutes. We also took some group shots inside, which was slightly entertaining for them... hahaha

(EDITS because I can't type!! haha)

First off, many Christians do drink, and Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding. If you choose to forgo alcohol due to your denomination of Christianity, that is your choice. But not all Christians feel that way.

I would serve snacks, and maybe some fresh lemonade and iced tea in fun flavors since it will probably be hot in July.

And I would do as many pics before the ceremony as possible - I'm not a fan of brides who do an extensive photo shoot and leave their guests hanging for more than an hour or so.

I went to a NA wedding where they took pictures after. They had a slide show and a couple of crossword puzzle/word finds on the tables to give people something to do.

Make sure you don't call it cocktail hour. It sends the wrong message. Also, when you say "my Fiance' and I are Christan and we dont drink" it implies that people who do drink aren't Christians or aren't good Christians.

She never said *all* Christians feel that way... just said that's why she is not having alcohol. My wedding was the same way-- me, my husband, and about 75% of our guests are non-drinking Christians. It's a personal choice.

I was just at a weddings that just had some food (no musica and the bar wasn't open yet) and it didn't go will...... a nother wedding didn't have anything so a lot of people left and ended up missing the bride and groom entrance.

maby you could give them a fun "test" fill out and give a gift to the people that get all the question right? that might help start a converion between guest

She may not have said that, but she sure as hell implied it. I'm not a Christian, nor do I get my boxers all ruffled up over little things but she sure made it sound like people who drink aren't as good of people as she and her fiance.

Play a slideshow of pictures of you two growing up and together.

try and take your pictures as fast as possable so people dont get bored.

One wedding i went to that had no alcohol had everyone fill out wish cards during the cocktail hour. It entertained us for about 10 minutes, so it had that going for it. Ultimately though we sat there twiddling our thumbs bored until the bride and groom showed up

Glenn's boxers have ruffles on them? ADORABLE!

IDK, I'm not trying to start a fight. I don't see a problem with mentioning the reason why she is choosing not to have alcohol, though. Some forgo alcohol for religious reasons, some do so for expense, some because they or their guests may be alcoholics, etc.

Regardless, it's not the point of the post and I don't think it's worth hijacking a thread over... point is, what should her guests do during the "non-cocktail" hour?

Cocktail hour doesn't have to mean "alcoholic" cocktails. having said that, keep in mind that if you're doing your reception at a hotel chances are, those wanting to drink will find a bar and go back and forth as they please to get their fill.

Cocktail hour should still have some atmosphere. Good music and activities go a long way. You could have a photo booth, good music and some sort of a DJ-led activity/game for your guests to keep them entertained.

I don't know what you are doing so far as dinner at the reception goes, but what if you came up with some sort of project or something, and whoever wins gets dinner first?? Soemthing that will be time consuming etc.. for example.. Because my dad owns a tape company (sticky tape) we will be having a roll or two of duct tape on each table, along with x # of popsicle sticks (maybe other items?) and an instruction sheet... The guests at each table will build anything they can come up with using the tape and items given. They will have until xx time before dinner starts... Then we will walk around and "judge" each item.. whoever wins gets to have dinner first (after wedding party and parents). I'm not sure how it will all work out yet, but I thought it would be a fun way to entertain people, get tables talking and seeing as there is SOME motivation, I think people would participate..? (PS if this is a really awful idea please someone tell me...)

Ultimately I think you need to find something to entertain the guests. You know your guests better than we do, but I'd suggest something like the wish cards (especially if you have artists who are guests as the wedding I talked about was for an artist who had tons of artist friends), the photobooth, slide shows, etc...

Christy- I would not participate but I am sure some guests would. Seems kinda hokey though.

Talk to the hotel about serving a nice non-alchololic beverage. You can also see if they have house sound and will pump that into the room in the event your DJ will charge extra to provide music for this. Good luck.

If i do decide to have a cocktail hour i will not be calling it that. also i will have a photobooth there.

First of all, NO ONE saqid that all christans dont drink or if they do they are bad ppl or whatever you ppl said! maybe you should read my post before you have something to say! I said WE are christans and WE dont drink, no where in there did i say anything about good or bad ppl. So if your comment isnt related to my question then get off my post!

Geez Theresa, I think it was clearly said that your post implied that, not that it actually said it. And this is a public forum, you don't get to say who can reply to your post.

Makes me feel dumb for trying to help you.

@Theresa P., Check your PM.