[octobride]

Our reception venue offers a fantastic 6-course winemaker luncheon with wine pairing. The entire meal service would probably last about 2 hours. I was thinking of not having a cocktail hour because of time constraints (we only have the rented space from 10 am to 4 pm) and I don't want my guests to get too full from cocktails and appetizers and not be able to enjoy this wonderful 6-course meal the chef promises to prepare. Plus, I can't really see myself paying $8 a piece for appetizers.

My vision of our timeline for that day is:

10 am to 11 am: wedding ceremony; 11 am to 1 pm: 6-course luncheon service w/wine pairing; 1 pm to 3 pm: dancing w/ a 2-hour hosted bar; and 3 pm to 4 pm: afterglow with espresso bar service.

Is it ok for us to not provide the traditional cocktail reception in this case? Or would the meal service be too much food and too long for our guests? Should we just stick with the usual (boring) cocktail reception, 3-course meal and dancing.

[Nancy Tucker]

The reason for a cocktail hour is to allow for formal photos after the ceremony with the bridal party. If you are planning to join the reception right at 11 then your timeline would be fine. If, however, you will be tied up with photos after the ceremony, there has to be some way of entertaining the guests during your absense.