
COCKTAIL HOUR
AFRAID THE GUESTS
WILL GET BORED?
As a professional wedding photographer, I know that planning the perfect wedding day involves many considerations, including how to keep your guests entertained and engaged, especially during the reception. One common concern for couples is ensuring their guests are happy while the bride and groom are away for portraits. With receptions often lasting anywhere from 2 to 5 hours, it’s crucial to ensure your guests have an unforgettable experience.
To avoid long gaps between the ceremony and dinner, which can drain your guests’ energy and mood, I suggest planning a more streamlined day unless accommodations are provided for guests. This allows you to include a “free time” period before dinner, where guests can relax or freshen up. You can find an example of an efficient timeline HERE.
During a typical 3-hour(s) cocktail hour, even if you’re away for an hour for portraits, there’s still plenty of time for your guests to enjoy each other’s company, indulge in delicious snacks and drinks, and celebrate your love. Keep in mind that many of your guests may not have seen each other in a while and will appreciate the opportunity to reconnect.
By thoughtfully planning your reception, you can ensure that everyone has a wonderful time while you capture those cherished portraits.
PLAN THE CAKE CUTTING
Cutting the Cake: A Flexible Tradition
The cake-cutting can be scheduled at various times throughout your wedding day. Some couples even choose to serve their wedding cake as dessert during dinner, and that’s perfectly fine too. Remember, this is your celebration, and you should do what feels right for you.
Occasionally, I see couples plan their day so that their portraits are taken on the way from the ceremony to the reception venue. While this might seem like a logical idea, especially if you’re already traveling, it’s not something I typically recommend. Most of your guests will head straight to the reception venue, and no matter how excellent the staff is at welcoming them, guests often hesitate to fully relax—whether it’s enjoying snacks or drinks—until you arrive. In other words, it’s better not to leave your guests waiting unnecessarily.
Instead, consider arriving at the reception alongside your guests. Give everyone a moment to settle in, freshen up, and feel comfortable. Then, gather everyone together to officially welcome them, raise a toast, and perhaps introduce your toastmaster, who can explain the schedule for the rest of the day. Right after that, bring out the wedding cake for the cake-cutting ceremony.
Here’s the clever part: once you’ve had your first bite of cake and guests begin to line up for their slices and a drink, you can slip away to take your portraits. This way, your guests are engaged, welcomed, and mingling while you’re away. They’ll have plenty of time to enjoy their cake, greet each other, and settle into the celebration. It’s a seamless way to keep the energy flowing and ensure no one feels like they’re waiting around. It’s a plan that works wonderfully every time!

ACTIVITIES
To make your cocktail hour even more memorable, consider adding entertainment elements that reflect your personalities and bring a bit of fun to the celebration. Whether you feel the reception might be too long for guests to entertain themselves or simply want to create a cozy, engaging atmosphere, here are some ideas to keep your guests entertained—with or without your presence:
Garden Games
Add a playful element with games like ladder golf, croquet, or ring toss, which can easily be set up in a garden or even indoors on a rug. These games encourage small group activities and are both affordable and simple to organize.
Magician or Balloon Animals
Delight both kids and adults with a 30-minute magic show by a professional magician. Magicians can entertain both younger and older audiences. For weddings with many children, balloon animals might also be a great addition to keep them entertained.
Tattoo Bar
For couples looking to add something creative and unique, a tattoo bar with temporary tattoos can be a fun hit. This is especially ideal for friend groups that enjoy a bit of quirky fun.
Live Music
Nothing beats the atmosphere of live music in beautiful weather. Consider hiring a duo, trio, or even a string quartet to add a touch of elegance to your wedding. Not only does it sound amazing, but it also serves as an engaging form of entertainment.
Fake Waiters
Add a comedic element to your celebration with fake waiters who will surprise and amuse your guests. While this idea might not be for everyone (some may find it too “cheesy” or theatrical), my experience has been that it’s incredibly entertaining, with guests laughing and enjoying the unexpected humor.
Advice Boxes
Invite your guests to write personal messages or pieces of advice, which you can open and read on your first anniversary. This is a very popular activity and can sometimes even be incorporated as part of a guest performance during the dinner.
Including some of these elements will not only keep your guests entertained but also add a personal touch to your wedding day, creating opportunities for interaction and bonding. The key is to strike a balance—ensuring your guests feel appreciated and included without overwhelming them with too many activities. After all, they’ve come to celebrate and spend time with you.
Let your love and personalities shine through in every element of your wedding day, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

TIMING AND PLANNING
By thinking creatively and personally about the entertainment for your wedding, you’re not only creating a memorable experience for your guests but also designing a day that truly reflects you as a couple. It’s the little details and unique touches that will make your wedding stand out and be remembered for years to come.
When planning entertainment, it’s important to consider the diverse interests and age groups of your guests. Another factor to think about is the timing of the entertainment. Planning specific activities or entertainment during key moments—such as when you’ll be busy taking photos—can ensure there’s always something engaging for your guests, especially if you’re concerned that they might not be able to fully entertain themselves.
Remember, communication is key to a successful reception. Inform your guests about the planned activities and entertainment when they arrive. This can be done through your wedding program, signage at the venue, or a quick announcement by your toastmaster. By doing so, you’ll ensure everyone feels included and knows what’s available to them.
Finally, don’t forget to enjoy the moment. While entertainment and activities are a fantastic addition to your celebration, the most important thing is that you, as the couple, have the opportunity to enjoy your special day. Entertainment is there to complement your celebration, not to overshadow it. Allow yourselves to be present, surrounded by friends and family, and let your love be the true highlight of the day.

GROUP PICTURES OF
FAMILY AND FRIENDS
When you’ve finished your portrait session, take a moment to sit down, have a drink, and maybe enjoy a quick snack. Once that’s done—depending on the schedule—you’ll often find that guests will want to take photos with you. The end of the reception, just before dinner, is the perfect time to do this.
I recommend starting with a large group photo and then working your way “down” through smaller groups. Make a list of the different group combinations ahead of time to ensure you don’t forget anyone. Consult your photographer for advice on how best to organize this process.
Regardless of how you approach it, this is an ideal time to gather all your guests, take those important group photos, and then transition seamlessly into dinner and the welcome toast. It keeps the energy flowing and ensures everyone feels included before the evening’s festivities begin.