How to Arrange a Cocktail Wedding Reception

It's no secret that weddings are expensive. Many couples spend a ton of money on an event that lasts only a few short hours. Even though your wedding is an event that you want to celebrate, you don't want to go into debt for it. In lieu of a traditional sit down reception, you should consider arranging a cocktail wedding reception.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Research the different reception venues that offer this option. Many reception halls and ballrooms price out cocktail wedding receptions. The price is usually much less than a traditional reception menu.

2. Send out invitations that indicate that you are having a cocktail reception. You don't want guests assuming that the event is more formal that it actually is.

3. Pick out the food that you're serving. You can do more than just hors d'oeuvres for a cocktail wedding reception. You may have the option to have carving stations, a wok station or fruit displays.

4. Choose a band that works with the theme of a cocktail reception. Go for a band or DJ that plays upbeat music. You want entertainment that keeps the party going.

5. Arrange your seating and floor plan around the bar area. Also, make sure that there are enough bartenders and servers to accommodate your guests.

6. Keep it relatively short. Since you won't have a sit down dinner, you can avoid the traditional five hour reception.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to arrange for the bartenders to serve a few signature drinks throughout the course of the reception.

• You should hold a cocktail reception at a later time than a traditional wedding reception. You may want to start the party around seven in the evening.