Ceremony & reception details

Hey guys, I was wondering what peoples experiences are of cocktail weddings? I’ve never been to one but I have heard they are a lot of fun – if done right! It would certainly save a lot of money on food.Has anyone here been to one and what did you think of it?

The only cocktail wedding I have ever attended, afterwards we went and got dinner! We were starving, definately not enough food especially as it was an evening wedding, if you do have a cocktail wedding, make sure there is plenty of food if its an evening wedding! We were looking at an cocktail wedding as well, and as we both work in hospitality, we agreed to make sure we had lots of food, especially stuff like platters of antipasto etc that look great when done up right, but will be very filling too!

Good luck!

We’re having a cocktail wedding and have been to a few….and I’ve gotta say that the assumption that you pay less for food is a bit of a myth.  For a good cocktail party (with enough food so that people don’t end up like mollimel, having to stop at maccas on the way home!) you will probably spend the same amount on food as you would at a duel drop seated wedding.  But you might save a lot on centrepieces (less tables needed), hire costs if you’re hiring chairs and linens etc…..

Plus it’s a much more relaxed style of wedding.  Just don’t scrimp on the food!

I’m having a cocktail wedding in November with a caterer who does canapes and more substantial selections such as thai beef salad and gourmet tempura fish and chips in little cardboard containers. Am looking at just short of $30 per head for really nice food and have been assured no one will go hungry. I prefer the mingling and relaxed atmosphere of a cocktail wedding in comparison to a sit down. We’re also hiring a daquiri machine for about $250. Can’t wait!

Thanks girls. Yes, the main things I’ve heard is that you need plenty of food and enough chairs/lounges for people to relax in. I still haven’t made up my mind about whether I’m going to have a cocktail style reception or not. It’s all so hard!

We’re having a cocktail wedding, our venue has assured us that no-one has ever left hungry (and I plan to hold them to that!). We’ve got guests that have told us they’ve been to cocktail weddings and gone home hungry tho. I think some people view cocktail functions as being a bit cheap even though the cost for food is roughly comparable. Anyway it was the relaxed style (and not having to do seating charts) that swayed us in the end

I was concerned with some places we looked at that said there would be x pieces per person, it never seems like very much. I want food to keep coming until no-one wants it, and there should definitely be some more substantial items on there. 

We have opted for a cocktail reception after attending a close friends cocktail reception wedding. Their wedding catered for approximately 80 people and there was heaps of food for everyone and there was plently left over to pick at during the night. We loved their wedding because it was so relaxed and casual, everyone had a great time and everyone mingled. We don’t want people to sit behind a table all night and not get up and mingle.

Our wedding isn’t until October 2011, but we have booked Curzon Hall as the venue, the price for a cocktail reception is slightly cheaper than a sit down ($115 per person). Of course there is no extra charges for table settings, linen and chairs.The best bit is no stress over seating plans! We are hoping it will be a relaxed, fun, party atmosphere and that everyone will mingle and have a great time. One draw back is that the reception is a shorter time frame approx 3 hours instead of 5, but we are looking at extending it slightly which will of course cost more($900 per half hour extra).

Good luck!

Were having a cocktail reception for our wedding. Instead of just finger food we’ve decided to have the chinese take away boxes with fish and chips and stirfry and stuff in them. That way people have a something bigger than finger food, but not as big as a main meal. We thought it would be good as we are catering for 120 ppl!

We’re having a Cocktail reception too. Initally we decided on that to save the hassle of the table settings, but I agree with some of the other posts, it can be a lot more relaxing. Ours is going to be in a sophisticated club lounge. They’re including linen and some decorations, there are heaps of great comfortable seats, enough room for a dance floor etc. My Food and Beverage manager actually said to me “no-one will need Maccas on the way home”! I really hope that is the case, because that is my biggest fear. That, and the room shape is a little odd. I just hope they can see myself and my wonderful husband for our first dance! I can’t wait!!

I am also having a cocktail wedding and agree with everything that’s been said already! I think a cocktail reception is much more relaxed and gives everyone (most importantly the bride & groom) plenty of time to mingle with all the guests. As long as you have PLENTY of food and a decent amount of seating, a cocktail wedding can be a wonderful relaxed event.

I love the idea that everyone can mingle and help themselves to food when they want. Not be stuck sitting next to someone they may not get along with. Also with a cocktail wedding you don’t have to arrange a seating plan!!

Also, I too attended a cocktail wedding and was left a little hungry. I am unsure if it was due to lack of food or that I just wasn’t in the right places when the food was brought around! It was a great night tho’! Everyone was so at ease and having a great time.