The window of time between your ceremony ending and your reception beginning is what we call Cocktail Hour. This window is built in to accommodate the time needed for Project Block 6 Transition. Therefore, the more complex your Project 6, the longer a cocktail hour you need.
You as a couple may actually miss all the cocktails if you are posing for Newlywed photos, or there may not be a cocktail hour at all if everyone has to drive to a new venue.
Refer to this ONE Lecture while building all three Projects. The next Lecture you receive will be for Project Block 10.
Building your Worksheet{s}
Project Blocks 7, 8 & 9
What is Cocktail Hour exactly?
The simple truth is that while you’re doing your business end of “getting married”, license signing, family pictures,yaddah, yaddah, your guests will get bored and hungry. Some might actually leave if you do not entertain them.
This Hour {should probably be 45 Minutes at most} is built around
Project 7: Entertainment – The draw that pulls them away from the ceremony location
Project 8: Appetizers – to hold them over until dinner
Project 9: The Bar – Water and Libations: If your guests have been sitting in the sun, have LOTS of water present
Their powers combine for this week’s assignment…
Images:
Find fun images that showcase the atmosphere your Cocktail Hour will take. For example, our Cocktail Hour was Carnival Themed so all of our entertainment and food revolved around that theme from the music that played to the props in the photo booth and even the miniature appetizers or churros and sno-cones.
Find all sorts of inspiration on the P7 Pinterest Board, P8 Pinterest Board, and P9 Pinterest Board
Ingredients:
On their individual Worksheets {7-9} list out all of the large pieces first such as the furniture and pieces to be rented. These items will likely be “the Photo Booth” or the actual bar furniture your bartenders will stand behind. Yours might be a large built-in piece that the venue provides, two folding tables and linens or maybe a beverage cart you rent. Which tables are your appetizers being served on?
Next, Sort out all of the smaller, theme ingredients: signs and decorations to service trays and colors for the appetizers.
Finally, list out the interactive ingredients for each:
Props or games for P7, anything handheld
What do guests need to eat appetizers? small plates or napkins?
Glasses are the main small ingredient for P9 as well as dispensers.
Prior to Wedding:
Have conversations about your time frame and how long you need to entertain your guests. Also, discuss in depth all the other projects that are happening in this 45-minute window. Furthermore, discuss whether you two want to be a part of it or if you need to be elsewhere.
PROJECT BLOCK 7: ENTERTAINMENT
- GUEST DRAW: What will pull them away from the Ceremony into the Cocktail Hour?
- Photo Booths, Line Dancing Instructors, Table Games, etc.
- List out and separate rentals you need to add on or additional vendors you need to hire.
- Interactive Guest Books: It’s important to note that all P11 Keepsakes will also live in the Cocktail Hour time-frame. You can double up your P11 as your P7.
- Photo Booths, Line Dancing Instructors, Table Games, etc.
- MUSIC PLAYLIST: The party starts right now for your guests
- Determine a playlist theme with your DJ
- Make sure to eliminate your Reception Highlight songs so they’re not played twice.
- Write a DO NOT PLAY list if you have strong feelings about it.
- Determine a playlist theme with your DJ
PROJECT BLOCK 8: APPETIZERS
- HAND PASSED or STATION HORS D’OEUVRES
- Communicate appetizer options with your caterer and how guests will receive them. Hand Passed or Station?
- Hand Passed- You’ll need to hire more servers
- Station- You’ll need a table, linen & serving dishes.
- Update your venue/rental contracts
- Discuss a menu with your caterer based on time between Cocktail Hour and dinner.
- Guests do not need a full appetizer menu if dinner is in less than an hour.
- Plan at least 3-5 person
- Include dietary options for Gluten-Free, Vegan and Lactose Intolerant Guests
- Communicate appetizer options with your caterer and how guests will receive them. Hand Passed or Station?