Would it be okay to not start serving alcohol until dinner?

Cocktail hour implies cocktails so I would think it was really weird as a guest if I couldn’t get a drink during that time.

Honestly I’d be annoyed with a dry cocktail hour.

Why not extend your bar package by an hour?

We aren't having any alcohol at our wedding.

View Quoted Comment Yeah I'll look into doing that. Thanks!

View Quoted Comment Are you still going to have a "cocktail" hour in between the ceremony and reception?

Personally if there is cocktail hour I want cocktail (or some kind of alcoholic beverage). We are doing first look photos, wedding party, and immediate family photos before our ceremony so we can enjoy cocktail hour (considering my fh agreed to the venue I wanted because they had buffalo chicken empanadas on the app menu. Can’t let him miss those. Even if you don’t want to do first look if you can do bridal party and parents alone with each of you before hand it will free up time to enjoy with your guests.

View Quoted Comment Thanks for posting. That is extremely helpful for the OP's conundrum.

I would have the bar open for cocktail hour and just close it early. Even if it's an hour before reception end time isn't bad. Most people usually start switching to water by then to help sober up a bit. Generally crowds taper off after the first few drinks.

Im having appetizer hour between ceremony and reception because my family can get crazy and no alcohol until after dinner i am not paying for a bunch of fopd to be wasted because people started drinking before they ate. What NO!

Either extend the time, or have the last call earlier. Extending the bar for one hour would be best.

View Quoted Comment How about only inviting who you want there, and not complain about paying for it? Your complaint seems angry, and misguided. A wedding reception is optional.

Can you look into having the bar open for cocktail hour but close it during dinner hour. Usually dinner is a slower time for bar anyway because people are focusing on eating instead of drinking

Personally, I think yes it would be most off putting and very bad manners to not have alcohol at the cocktail hour. I’d rethink that in a huge way. If I was a guest I’d be so turned off I don’t think I’d enjoy the wedding at all.

I second trying to close the bar during dinner. Also, this is all because YOU want to drink with your guests? The reception is for them. Don’t have a dry cocktail hour

No. Cocktail hour requires cocktails. I would add an extra hour to your package.

I would rather have the bar open for cocktail hour and “close” early if I HAD to choose.
For all the reasons: cocktails are THE activity of cocktail hour, the end of the night people have dancing to entertain them. A “last call” at the bar isn’t unheard of, it also provides a little downtime between drinking and leaving (driving etc). Plus, everyone will be there during cocktail hour. The last hour of the reception some people will already be filtering out anyway to go home.
I mean I agree with trying to look into adding another hour but if that can happen, I’d definitely start the 4 hours with cocktail hour!