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.

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.