| It is common at wedding receptions that the cocktail | | | | drinks. Because they are designed to be stood at, |
| hour will be held in a different room than the dinner | | | | rather than used as a place to sit and park, the tall |
| and dancing. What this means is another chance to | | | | cocktail tables also encourage guests to mingle and |
| decorate! There are some fun ways that you can | | | | socialize. |
| dress up your cocktail area to make it fabulous. | | | | Tall tables can be dressed to be very elegant with |
| Naturally when you are planning your wedding design, | | | | opulent iridescent taffeta linens that fall to the floor. |
| you will want a cohesive look that carries throughout | | | | Put a smaller version of your centerpieces on each |
| everything. Certainly when you decorate for your | | | | one, or you can come up with something a little more |
| cocktail area, you will want to create a room that | | | | offbeat. If your style is modern and streamlined, try |
| ties in with the rest of your wedding. But at the | | | | topping each table with a mirror cut to fit it. A cluster |
| same time, it could also be fun to spice it up, and | | | | of candles in the middle will help to finish the look off |
| make it a fabulous space in and of itself, one that | | | | to perfection. |
| has its own distinct personality. | | | | Of course, not all of your guests will be able to stand |
| One of the biggest trends in weddings is the after | | | | for an hour (nor may they want to, depending on |
| hours lounge. Very often, the bride will change out of | | | | how high their heels are!). For these guests, be sure |
| her wedding gown and classic bridal jewelry into a | | | | to offer some seating. If you are into the hip lounge, |
| slinkier dress and bridal jewelry that is sexier. Not | | | | rent low sleek sofas and simple square tables to hold |
| every couple has the budget or the inclination to do | | | | drinks and appetizers. For more traditional seating, a |
| this, but you can think of your cocktail hour as a | | | | few regular height tables and chairs decorated to |
| chance to create that sought-after stylish nightclub | | | | match the taller ones will work very well. |
| feeling. | | | | When you are planning your cocktail area, don't |
| Lighting will go a long way towards creating a mood, | | | | forget to set up a spot for the musicians. Often for |
| so for a lounge feel, dim the overhead lights, and | | | | cocktails, couples want just pleasant background |
| decorate with lots and lots of glowing votive candles. | | | | music, so you are not going to need a full orchestra. |
| If your wedding is modern an elegant, simple ivory | | | | Look into alternatives like a harpist, violinist, solo |
| votives in beautiful clear glass holders can do the | | | | singer, or three piece combo for a perfect fit. |
| trick, especially if they are grouped into clusters or | | | | Your cocktail hour is the first impression that your |
| placed at different heights. If your wedding is more | | | | guests will have of your reception, so naturally, you |
| romantic in flavor, then look for gorgeous beaded | | | | will want to make sure that it is a good one. Take |
| candle holders for a little something extra. | | | | some time to decorate the area, and don't treat it as |
| The tables and seating that you use will be very | | | | an afterthought. With a little effort, you can be sure |
| important. Often in cocktail areas, you will find tables | | | | that your cocktail area will look as fantastic as the |
| that are tall, but small in dimension. These can be | | | | rest of your reception. |
| perfect as a place to set down light munchies and | | | | |