Wedding Reception Cocktail Hour
Wedding Reception Cocktail Hour
If you’re wondering about having a Cocktail Hour as your drinks reception, with perhaps a touch of jazz piano to sweeten it, then here’s some information to get you started.
What is Cocktail Hour?
A Cocktail Hour is an Americanism for socialising over cocktails before having your wedding reception. Businesses have used cocktail parties, also called mixers, to allow people to network and they’re considered highly successful is creating social connections in a relatively short amount of time. They’re typical in the U.S. but not so much here in Ireland.
Cocktail Benefits
A cocktail hour is unique in the same way as having craft beers, ice cream vans, sweets carts and personalised favors are. It exudes class and sophistication and comes with plenty of choice to cater for each guest.
A cocktail itself is a drink, served in a cocktail, highball or lowball glass. The basic drink is a distilled spirit served with fruit juice or a soft drink, known as a mixer. When you mix the base liquid with liquer, it is called a duo and when all three are mixed it is called a trio. Cocktails are a much rarer feature at Irish weddings than are wines and draft beers. They are cosmopolitan in that they ring out worldly tones of sophistication. Of course, your guests will inevitably be delighted at being served cocktails after your wedding ceremony.
It’s often said that brides and grooms do a lot of running around and pleasing everyone else on their wedding day but I strongly feel otherwise. I believe it’s important to go that extra mile for your guests because, when all is said and done, you’ll feel happier and more relaxed when you know your guests are being treated as special members of your biggest day.
Is it expensive to have cocktail hour?
I’m not going to lie here; cocktails are a somewhat pricy option. However, if you’re really tempted to press ahead in trying to justify having them then know this: Cocktails are much more time consuming to make and the cost of ingredients are naturally higher than straight drinks like wine and beer. Your venue must make a markup and profit margins are often modest.
The flip side to this is that there is a lot more choice for guests as these drinks can be based on gin, brandy, vodka, whiskey, tequila, or rum.
Why not ask your wedding venue if they can offer you a price anyway and have a think?
Final thoughts…
Cocktail hour with some light jazz piano is definitely a fantastic treat for guests at a wedding and, although a little expensive, it’s quite easy to arrange and will be immensely appreciated.
Get in touch!
Paul is an instrument pianist specialising in performing music at your wedding ceremony and/or for your drinks reception. He is only too happy to guide your through the process of sorting out music on your wedding day and, if you get in touch today, you can be sure of a speedy response. He looks forward to hearing from you.
