3 Tips on How to Plan a Wedding Cocktail Reception

Wedding planning can be pretty stressful as there are numerous details to consider to make it successful. While you may have engaged a wedding planner to make your dream wedding a reality, there are still countless things to do that can also be overwhelming. Apart from picking out your wedding gown and those of your entourage, choosing the ideal venue for the ceremony, and ensuring that you have all your wedding suppliers lined up, there is the wedding reception to take care of.

For many couples, a cocktail wedding reception seems to be an excellent idea. The atmosphere is much more relaxed, and guests can choose to eat from various hors d’oeuvres while mingling with other invitees. Plated dinners are more formal, and seating arrangements limit the ability of guests to meet and enjoy conversations with others. Couples thinking of a more casual wedding reception would indeed go for cocktails where they can enjoy the company of their friends and loved ones in an idyllic setting. While it is more relaxed, it can still be a formal affair, depending on how you and your partner want it.

Here are some helpful tips if you are thinking of a cocktail wedding reception for your big day.

1. Location

The location of your cocktail wedding reception can be held anywhere you feel suits you and your guests the most. The space should comfortably accommodate your invitees and the furniture you plan to include. Other essential factors to consider when choosing your cocktail wedding reception venue are a dance floor (if you plan to have some dancing), a small stage for entertainers, and your bar and buffet tables. Also, consider lounge seating and a few tables where guests can relax when they aren’t walking around meeting other people. It would be best to list people you intend to invite to help you determine how much space you need. It is also a good idea to prepare wedding invitations in advance and personalised writing paper to give your thank you notes a more personal and elegant touch.

2. Decor

Whether you host your wedding cocktail reception in a favourite hotel venue, restaurant or garden, your decor can transform it into a beautiful space. Ensure that you hire a professional florist for your flower arrangements, as flowers are essential in any wedding reception. Think of a theme for your reception, and imagine how your decor complements your idea. Consider dim lighting for a more comfortable ambience.

3. Food and drinks

When selecting food for your event, it would be best to avoid messy food. Since this is a cocktail wedding reception, guests will wander about nibbling on bite-sized pieces, and food with liquids can result in stained clothes. It would help to keep bigger-sized bites wrapped in thick paper napkins to keep people from requesting cocktail napkins that tend to be smaller and less durable. You can serve finger foods, mini burgers and pizzas, cheese platters, and other delectable canapes that are not as heavy as main courses. Consider a signature cocktail for your bar and have an entire stock of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Create a memorable cocktail wedding reception by following these helpful tips.