Thoughts about having a cocktail hour at the ceremony site instead of the reception site?

Sounds amazing!!! contact a catering company near that area or a restaurant you love and ask them to cater for an hour!

I can see your vision of cocktail hour at the ceremony site though the prospect of pre drinking does come as a concern for those driving.

The best way I can see this happening is for your guests to have drinks at the cocktail hour at reception as they won't be going anywhere for the evening time and enjoy the hor d'ouvres before dinner.

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Thanks for your input. I'm unsure about providing transportation right now, but it's definitely something I'm considering.

Hi Karley! Will you be providing transportation for your guests to get to the reception venue? If not, then I agree that offering non-alcoholic beverages. It certainly sounds like a beautiful location!

Thanks for your feedback everyone! Really great advice. Thankfully by having the wedding in September and right on the water it should only be about 20 degrees, so this might be doable

I agree with the others, providing alcohol before they drive to the reception site is not a good idea.


The other thing to think about is shelter. If your wedding is in the summer, a big open field is going to get *hot*.
I would worry that by the time you bring in all the equipment you need to keep people comfortable (tables and chairs, shelter, portable toilets if there aren't bathrooms available) you will ne spending a lot of money.

It sounds like a great cost saver for you.


I agree with Samantha's point about driving, so maybe stick with mocktails and virgin punch.
It might be a bit of extra set up or equipment rental to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. But the savings could still be worth it.

FH and I will be having cocktail hour at our ceremony site as opposed to the reception. We just won't be serving alcohol cocktails since everyone will have to drive to the reception location, so they'll be mocktails and simple finger foods. It just made sense with everything since we also will be having lawn games and just have proper time to mingle after the ceremony since FH and I will be doing photos before hand.

So whatever works for your own vision and wedding day! And the scenery that you described sounds amazing so I'm sure many people will love to stick around such a beautiful and picturesque spot