Everything You Need for the Perfect Cocktail Hour

As with any proper soirée, the biggest key to hosting a successful cocktail hour is to have great food (in this case, hors d’oeuvres) and fun drinks. Plentiful appetizers will tide people over until the full meal at the reception, and signature cocktails can be designed to represent you and your spouse while also giving guests something new to sample. But if you want to go above and beyond, you’ll need to bring in custom décor elements, such as chic cocktail napkins, playful drink stirrers, and charming bar signs to make your wedding day stand out. 

Below are examples of five of our favorite cocktail-hour details, all from real weddings! Click the link below each image for further inspiration from these stunning events. 

1. Hors d’Oeuvres

It goes without saying that you'll want to have delicious food available for guests at the cocktail hour. Consider hors d'oeuvres that everyone will love, from elevated takes on classic comfort foods to bite-sized appetizers that accommodate a number of dietary restrictions. Get cocktail hour hors d'oeuvres ideas from the wedding photos below:

2. Signature Drinks

Most couples choose to serve alcohol at their wedding, but even if you're having a dry wedding, it's important to serve great drinks. From mocktails to cocktails, we love when couples offer their loved ones a signature cocktail based on their preferences. Some pairs even choose to have three signature cocktail options: his, hers, and ours.

3. Drink Stirrers 

If you have room in your wedding budget, add some personality to your wedding bar with custom drink stirrers. Some couples choose to incorporate their monogram, while others may select a photo of them or an illustration of their beloved pet. Have fun with it and make it your own!

4. Cocktail Napkins

Another way to add some personality to your wedding bar – if you have room in your budget – is to incorporate custom cocktail napkins. We've seen pairs select unique designs showcasing an illustration of their pet, special quotes or romantic lyrics important to the couple, or their wedding monogram. Take a look at photos from real weddings, below, to get ideas!

5. Signage

Couples are getting more and more creative with the signage at their cocktail hour. You're likely going to have a bar at your wedding, and if so, it's important to also include a menu detailing the selections your guests can choose from. Incorporate signage that complements the rest of your décor, or if it's a separate bar for only the cocktail hour, consider adding fun details that may not be as formal as the wedding reception itself.

Still need to pick a signature drink for you and your sweetheart? Find signature cocktail ideas on our site, and to keep everyone entertained and warmed up for dancing, listen to our cocktail hour playlist and get an expert's cocktail hour wedding playlist suggestions.

Opening photo by Jodee Debes Photography; Planning & Design by Tessa Lyn Events; From Real Wedding: Outdoor Ceremony & Reception with Bright Color Palette at an LA Ranch