Is anyone NOT having a cocktail hour?

I have attended a wedding where there was no cocktail hour the bridal party get pictures after the wedding we all left and went to the bar.

That doesn't make me smile at all! I would hate my guest to stray away from the "wedding" to hit the bar.

Not having a cocktail hour. 1 hour between the ceremony and the reception is for picture taking.

Future Mrs P - Can you give a little more details regarding your situation? If I understand correctly, it sounds like your guests will have to travel from the ceremony to the reception venue, correct? Are you stopping to take pictures, and thus getting there later than your guests?

If that's the situation, can you have a "non cocktail-hour" cock-tail hour?? Silly sounding I know..... Can you offer any type of drinks, even just soda and juice and a few appetizers for your guests until you arrive?

How much time will there be between ceremony and dinner?

We technically didn't have a cocktail hour w/ appetizers - we just opened the bar after the ceremony since our ceremony/reception was in the same area of our venue. While we took pictures in another area of the venue, guests could get a drink, mingle w/ other guests, find their tables, explore the venue, go check out the cake/candy buffet, etc. Our venue had plenty of space for the guests to mill about while they were changing the setup from ceremony to reception. As soon as we were done w/ pics and bustling my dress, we did intros and started dinner. A few guests I talked to said things seemed to go really smoothly, and didn't realize we had been gone for 30 minutes (10 minutes longer than we should've been).

I'm not having a cocktail hour...but we will also be having a dry wedding and our ceremony and reception are at the same location so I don't think it'll be a big deal.

What's the time gap between ceremony and reception? You can go straight to dinner if you decide to not have a cocktail hour.

Since our ceremony & reception are in the same area, we are not having one. As soon as we say "I Do", we will let guests hit the kegs, food table, etc. while we take pictures. Everything is outdoors and very laid back, so I figured our guests can mingle and drink while we finish up pictures, then we will join them, cut our cake, do all of the dances, etc. and eat here and there as we can. I'm not big on sitting down and eating while everbody is watching me, LOL! I know I will be dying for that first glass of wine though!! (Sheesh, I sound like a lush!).

We will not be having a cocktail hour. While w take our pictures the hotel will serve guests appetizers. Also, we have a DIY photo booth and guests can have their pictures taken while they wait for us to arrive.

We didn't have a cocktail hour. However, we had a tiny wedding, and wanted the photographer to get photos of all our guests. Thus, we were finished with photography the same time our guests were, and just started in on the meal right away when we got to the reception venue.

I am not having a cocktail hour.

Our ceremony and reception are at the same location (inside verses outside). Doing all pictures beforehand, and hoping after the receiving line to have a small window of time to 30 mins or so MAX- and then go into dinner. I am hoping guest will take that lil bit of time to explore the grounds but the bar will be available, just no food.

If you're doing photos after the wedding you need a place for your guests to gather.

If you're traveling to another location - remember, you have to travel too. Photographs tend to take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or more depending on the photographer, how many in the bridal party, etc.

The idea of cocktail hour (with our w/o alcohol) is for people to mingle, catch up, and possibly talk about the wedding ceremony.

It lets all your guests get together before your grand entrance.

Even when held on the same location, it's important to allow your guests to have a place to go so you can get your photos down quickly and start the celebration.

Abby F. Why didn't I think of that. I have a photobooth!!! Instead of waiting til after dinner I can have it open during the gap and that will give guest something to do. I still think I should serve appetizers as well. I need to work out these new kinks. Tahnks everyone

We aren't having a cocktail hour because we aren't getting married at a traditional venue. I am glad I found this thread, because I am feeling a little nervous about it. We are planning to do all of our pictures beforehand, and the ceremony will go straight into the reception (all being at the same location). My main concern is guests getting to their seats so I don't have to miss out on the reception.

This is what we are planning to do as well. We are wanting to have pictures with extended family but don't want so many people to see the bride before the ceremony. How did you handle that?

Thanks!!