The cocktail reception is the ideal part of the celebration to set your day apart with some WOW touches. Hence it is the perfect time for music & entertainment and to showcase some delicious,unique food and beverage. On our BLOG today we give you lots of inspiration with Top Tips to absolutely WOW Your Guests at the Cocktail Reception.
Stylish Setting
Don’t neglect to style your cocktail reception particularly if it is in a location away from the main reception. Style in keeping with the main or even give it its own look. Hence lots of scope to set the scene from furniture to textured linens to small centrepieces to votive candles. And if out doors take advantage of the national foliage and shrubbery background.
Music For Your Cocktail Reception
Set the mood with your entertainment but keep the volume low and vibe mellow so guests can chat. The options are endless including Jazz trio, String quartet, DJ, Harpist and Acoustic Guitar.
Why Not Consider Activities During the Cocktail Reception
- Guest book
- Lawn games such as croquet, chess & jenga
- Falconry
- Caricature Artist
- “I Spy” – new use for the disposable camera
Food Ideas
Instead of having canapés passed at your cocktail reception why not opt for some alternatives.
Food Stations
Have some food stations dotted around the room where guests can help themselves to nibbles, interactive stations are always good for communication!
Use edible spoons /forks & cones instead of cutlery.
Examples:
- Oyster & Guinness station
- Fish & shellfish station
- Charcuterie & cheese station
- Savoury station
- Sushi bar
- Sea scallop station
- Crudite
Tasting Tables
- Wine & cheese table perhaps even have a sommelier advising guests on the wines
- Craft beer table – again opportunity to have an expert explaining the various beers
- Caviar & champagne
Novelty
- Ice Cream Van or stall
- Strawberry Promenade
- Chocolate fountain
- Edible spoons /cutlery in lieu of silver cutlery
Local Delicacies
Ideal opportunity to serve a local delicacy during a destination wedding – introduce your guests to the regions specialties. In the West of Ireland smoked salmon, cheese,black pudding & bacon are among the favourite local ingredients used in canapes.
Seasonal
Introduce some seasonal fare such as soup shooters in Autumn and Winter,sorbet pops in Spring and fruit tartlet in Summer!
Beverages
Signature Cocktail
Whether it is a classical favourite or all new created for you, you can match your signature cocktail to your colour palette and overall wedding theme.
Open Bar
While it is almost an expected feature of an American wedding it is not quite the norm in Ireland but it for the destination wedding in Ireland. Pending on budget no top shelf liquor or even just wine & beer bars are very acceptable.
Speciality Bar
- Cocktail Bar
- Champagne bar include fresh fruit & accompaniments
- Self pouring beer station
- Non alcoholic drinks bar !
Now that you have read all our inspiration for your cocktail reception time to get planning! xxx
Contact Michelle to start planning or with any questions on her BLOG
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