The latest wedding trend for 2023 is the cocktail hour and it’s one that we like A LOT here at Entertainment Nation. Traditional in American weddings, the cocktail hour is a fun and classy addition to your wedding and is a step up from your average drinks reception.
If you’re searching for a way to make your wedding stand out from the crowd and give it a personal touch into the bargain then the cocktail hour could be for you. We’ve put together tips for creating your very own sophisticated celebration. Let’s find out how to do it in style.
Cocktail Hour Ideas
Whether you’re wondering when to host your cocktail hour, what to serve or how to entertain your guests, we’ve got you covered!
What Is A Cocktail Hour?
A cocktail hour usually features a signature cocktail and other delicious tipples for your guests to enjoy, some kind of food and some light entertainment. The luxury glasses, colourful drinks and fun garnishes are sure to make everyone feel fancy. It’s a time for guests to mingle, relax and start having fun at your wedding. Note that you don’t have to stick rigidly to exactly 60 minutes – your cocktail hour can be as long or as short as it needs to be. It’s your day – plan it how you like!
When Should You Host A Cocktail Hour?
Most couples choose to host their cocktail hour between their ceremony and their main reception. Others prefer to have their guests arrive early to enjoy a signature cocktail before the bridal party arrive. It’s totally up to you and what works best with the timings of your day.
What Drinks Do You Serve At A Cocktail Hour?
Err, cocktails? This is where the fun starts! Many couples choose to serve a signature cocktail at their wedding. This can be one that you have invented yourselves to match the colours, theme and vibe of your wedding, or a tried and tested drink that you know will go down well with your guests. Choose a name for whichever drink you choose and serve it in fancy glasses with fresh garnishes like fruit, salt or sugar frostings, straws and crushed ice for an up-market feel. The type of drink you choose can help to set the tone for the rest of the day. Will you go dark and sophisticated or fresh and fruity for a laid back summery feel? Don’t forget to serve interesting non-alcoholic options for non-drinkers and children too!
Should I Serve Food At A Cocktail Hour?
If people have a drink in one hand, the food you serve should be easy to eat with the other, so finger food is the way to go. Think fancy canapés, chips and dips, nuts, mini sliders, small sandwiches, tiny tapas, sushi, bruschetta and charcuterie. If you get married from around 2pm or later, the chances are your guests will already have had lunch before they arrive and will be peckish after your ceremony. Time your cocktail hour and wedding breakfast right and you won’t need to offer food in the evening. Everyone will be too full!
Entertainment Ideas For Your Cocktail Hour
At the very least, you’ll need a playlist filled with relaxing music to create a cool vibe at your cocktail hour. But to really set your celebration apart, we’d recommend hiring a live musician. You can’t beat live music for an enhanced atmosphere as it’s generally more moving and engaging than a recording. It’s easy to create lasting memories with a live musician, hence why they are such a popular option for weddings!
Here are our favourite cocktail hour entertainment ideas. Whatever vibe you’re looking to create, there’ll be something that will complement your cocktail hour perfectly.
A Singer Guitarist
If you’d like a laid back, Live lounge-style musical backdrop to your cocktail hour, then you’ll love our talented singer guitarists! Performing everything from Bob Marley to The Beatles and Foo Fighters to Ed Sheeran, you’ll be able to find a talented musician who can deliver the perfect sound for your afternoon drinks. For a fuller sound, why not consider an acoustic duo instead? They’ll provide more depth of sound and often feature more than one instrument.
A Jazz and Rat Pack Singer
Perfect if you’re serving sophisticated cocktails such as the Martini, Old Fashioned or Cosmopolitan, a jazz and Rat Pack singer will perform captivating covers of legendary jazz, swing and Rat Pack classics for a suave and swanky feel. Their smooth voices and charming personalities will put your guests at ease and help make your cocktail hour a complete success.
A Roaming Band
These stunning acoustic bands don’t need amplification so will wander among your guests, performing easy-going acoustic versions of all your favourite songs. It’s common for guests to get involved too so hiring a roaming band is a great way to make your cocktail hour stand out from the crowd.
A String Quartet
For an elegant and sumptuous feel to your cocktail hour, you can’t beat hiring a string quartet! Whether you’d like to hear Bach or Beyoncé, these talented musicians will expertly perform beautiful renditions of classical pieces or modern chart hits to create an atmosphere that will provide the perfect accompaniment to your cocktails and canapés.
A Saxophonist
Cocktails go hand in hand with the sun-soaked beaches of the Ibiza strip right? If you want to create a chilled house vibe while your guests enjoy their drinks, what better way to do it than by hiring a saxophonist? Alternatively, a sophisticated jazz set always goes down a treat, especially with high-class cocktails! These versatile musicians can pretty much play anything you’d like, so check them out for cocktail hour entertainment that will turn a few heads!
A Magician
For some extra pizazz, a magician always goes down a treat at a cocktail hour! Guests tend to gather in small groups as they mix and mingle which is the ideal set up for these mystifying performers to jump in and entertain. From baffling card tricks to incredible illusions and mind-reading tricks to comedy confusion, these extraordinary magicians will take your cocktail hour from satisfying to spellbinding.
How Can I Hire Entertainment For My Cocktail Hour?
It’s really easy to book superb wedding entertainment for your cocktail hour or any part of your wedding day at Entertainment Nation. Simply head over to our website using the link below and browse through the exceptional range of wonderful wedding bands, musicians and entertainers available for hire. When you’ve found your favourite, fill in the enquiry form on their profile and we’ll get back to you quickly with a fully-comprehensive quote. We hope you find exactly what you’re looking for!
