Take a shot, take a seat

Lol I don’t know about the shots before the ceremony, it might be a bit tacky, but then again you know your guests better than me. But if it’s not a holy/religious ceremony, then I guess I don’t see anything wrong with your guests sitting with a cocktail. I actually thought about having them pass a toast size amount of champagne after the ceremony for the kiss as a toast. Not sure though.

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I honestly like your idea even better! Our ceremony will be religious, so shots may be a little much. But a Champagne would be adorable!

You know what your guests like, but instead of a shot, could you do a glasses of champagne during the ceremony? A bit more elegant haha. Or could you push up your ceremony to 5pm to get an extra hour of the bar at your reception?

Posted too late

View Quoted Comment Agree completely!! Our friends would love the shot idea, but our parents and grandparents probably would be mortified. I think champagne sounds great!

I attended a wedding that had a cocktail hour prior to the ceremony. It was actually a lot of fun! It gave guests time to mingle and meet other people before the ceremony and reception (which was a lot more fun with everybody loosened up on cocktails haha). The option would also give you another hour or more worth of your 5 hour bar time.

Does it have to be shots, though? Can't people just get whatever drink they like and then sit down with it for the ceremony? I have been to a couple weddings with welcome drinks before the ceremony and, depending on the actual ceremony venue, guests either finished their drink before they went in (a synagog) or took their drinks with them to their seat (outdoor venue).

Setting that bit aside, I'm wondering at the really short timeline for your ceremony and reception. It seems like your reception is from 6:30ish to 9. Are you and your future spouse planning to step away after the ceremony for pictures? That doesn't leave a lot of time for dinner and socializing with your guests. Maybe move your ceremony earlier.

I like shots as much as the next person, WAY more than champagne anyday (plus I don't know anyone who likes champagne)..but I would side eye this and think it was out of place and not participate. I would never say a word to the couple but other guests may talk among themselves.

Also bear in mind that an officiant has the legal right to not perform the ceremony if either the bride or groom is even slightly intoxicated.

The cocktail hour before the ceremony is a fantastic idea! Might even steal it!

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Agree 6-9 is plenty of time for mingling with cake only but not for dinner and dancing.

I have read about couples successfully having a cocktail hour prior to the ceremony with appetizers and drinks. So that is certainly an option. But so many couples are hung up on the millenia old tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony, so it wouldn't work for everyone.

After college and a few rough years in my early 20s, I swore off shots. I'll always associate them with binge drinking. I would skip the shot bar cart if I were you. I think it sets a rager tone for the evening

FYI some venues do not allow shots so be sure to check on that!

I have never seen shots taken before the ceremony. I have, however, been to a wedding that gave every guest a glass of champagne upon arrival. At the end of the ceremony, the officiant said something like "lets toast to the new Mrs. and Mrs." an everyone raised their glass. I really liked that and thought it was a fun element to add to the ceremony.

I personally think this kind of thing is super insensitive to people who are sober or in recovery. I would never want to make someone feel awkward or upset because of a cute idea. I suppose if you know that none of your guests would be offended it could be fine, but I personally would NEVER do this as I have several family members who are sober and have dealt with addiction, and a few friends who are pregnant and cannot drink.

Just my two cents.

View Quoted Comment I would never do shots with a group of people recovering from alcohol abuse. I would only consider these things if it was doable with my particular group. I would expect the pregnant guest to just not take a shot or drink in general, that would be on her, not me to construct the wedding around. I don’t know how these kind of questions get so deep. But thank you for the advice!

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Nooo i didn't mean to make it deep at all! I actually just got asked if I wanted to do something like this at my own wedding by our planner, and had to explain that I had several recovering family members. Obviously nothing on you, just making a note. Sometimes people don't know thier significant other's side well enough to know if they are recovering etc. Just something to be sensitive of!

End of the day, you do you and enjoy the day

Whats the vibe of your wedding and family? will they think shots are acceptable?

If it was my family and my wedding, they absolutely would not be happy about having shots first but woudl probably be okay with champagne toast after we say I DO but we also are having a very romantic wedding. So if it goes with your theme then go for it. Maybe you should even do a shot that's the same color as your wedding colors are make up a new shot for your wedding