Choose the moments you want cocktails to be part of.
Serve cocktails at the drinks reception, the evening party or both according to your guest plans and budget. Afternoon service welcomes guests after the ceremony; evening service becomes part of the party. Neither is compulsory.
The important difference is who is present and how they order. A short reception often concentrates demand soon after the ceremony. An evening service may include extra guests arriving together and then a longer, less predictable ordering pattern. Quote each period accurately and agree any pause between them.
A practical example
If only day guests attend the afternoon but more people join later, an afternoon-only booking will not give the evening guests the same cocktail service. Decide that deliberately rather than discovering the mismatch when final invitations are sent.
What to confirm for your wedding
- Which guests attend each part of the day
- Hours of cocktail service actually wanted
- Other drinks available outside those hours
Continue with the related wedding planning guide. For the bar, team and cocktail supplies together, see our wedding cocktail packages.
Tell us about your wedding with the date, postcode, guest number and the times you want cocktails served.