cocktail style

[MoOaNdLiTtLePoPpEt]

hi

we are thinking of going cocktail style..

does anyone have any suggestions of how to set it up?

we will probably be getting gourmet platters...

and i am thinking of not having formal table seating either!! something casual...and relaxed!

Also...we are in QLD, should we marry in June or October?

these are the months we are tossing up between!!

[Mathermy]

well, you might say I am a bit biased...:o

but I think October in qld :)

We chose a cocktail reception because we wanted to keep the atmosphere relaxed and intimate. Plus, we have some divorced members in the family, which would have made seating an awkward nightmare so we figured this way if people are feeling uncomfortable they are free to go park themselves somewhere else!:laughing:

[Beckybug]

well, you might say I am a bit biased...:o

but I think October in qld :)

We chose a cocktail reception because we wanted to keep the atmosphere relaxed and intimate. Plus, we have some divorced members in the family, which would have made seating an awkward nightmare so we figured this way if people are feeling uncomfortable they are free to go park themselves somewhere else!:laughing:

I was in the same boat, a lot of my family doesn't get on with the other members in the family and I NEVER even tried to think about a sit down reception. At least with a cocktail, people can mingle all they want. :)

Our seats were arranged around a couple of tables and the rest against the wall. The tables with food were set up around the room so that there was easy access to them.

[MoOaNdLiTtLePoPpEt]

thanks Rebecca...i think that is what we will do...more casual and relaxed...Also a query...how long did you have your reception for then?

[lambjam]

I think it's a lovely idea :yes:. I've only been to one cocktail style wedding, people mostly stood up and there were a few chairs scattered around. It was fabulous for mingling etc and a great atmosphere. However, there wasn't nearly enough food which really put a dampener on the whole night, so be careful of that, especially if you're having the reception during a mealtime.

[MoOaNdLiTtLePoPpEt]

thanks Lamb...i have asked the caterers how many platters we would need.
our guest list is immediate family and very good friends, so is only about 26 people and 7 ish kds! so very small and intimate! so probably getting about 15 platters (1 platter will feed approx 10 people is what the caterer said, and he actually said 12-15 for 40 people plus children).

[lambjam]

Sounds fabulous! Good luck with your planning :smiliedance:

[Beckybug]

thanks Rebecca...i think that is what we will do...more casual and relaxed...Also a query...how long did you have your reception for then?

Our reception started about 2.30pm and we left at 4.30pm roughly so about 2 hours. But it depends on when your ceremony starts. We had a 1pm wedding mainly because we has half a dozen close family with kids around 10 -12 years of age and didn't want them out too late, plus we had to travel 90km that night. :)

[Tam-I-Am]

The only thing that I will recommend is to have enough food. The cocktail receptions that I've ever been to - particularly the ones that occur over meal times - have always skimped out completely on the food. The last one, we actually had to go through the McDonald's drive through on the way home (and we left an hour early) because there was so little food served. And it was a 6-hour receptions. *sigh*

[Beckybug]

The only thing that I will recommend is to have enough food. The cocktail receptions that I've ever been to - particularly the ones that occur over meal times - have always skimped out completely on the food. The last one, we actually had to go through the McDonald's drive through on the way home (and we left an hour early) because there was so little food served. And it was a 6-hour receptions. *sigh*

We had the exact opposite problem. :eek: We had so much food our MC was trying to convince people to eat more or wrap it up in a napkin to take it home. My parents said even after everyone left there was still heaps of food, so they took a lot of it home to eat. :D

[lambjam]

We had the exact opposite problem. :eek: We had so much food our MC was trying to convince people to eat more or wrap it up in a napkin to take it home. My parents said even after everyone left there was still heaps of food, so they took a lot of it home to eat. :D

At the one I was underfed at the wait staff were practically smacking everyone's hands away! There was something mid-boggling like 4 pieces of finger food per guest. The empty tummies were not a good combination with champagne!

[Beckybug]

At the one I was underfed at the wait staff were practically smacking everyone's hands away! There was something mid-boggling like 4 pieces of finger food per guest. The empty tummies were not a good combination with champagne!

Oh dear, not good. Our reception cost my parents $1160. $80 room hire and $18 per person. We had 58 or 60 people come. We told the staff what sort of food we wanted. Cheese and fruit platters, cold meat platters, little dim sims, savoury toast, little party pies, sandwiches. The staff put out salt and pepper calamari as well, even though we didn't ask for it! :smiliedance:

[I love JJJ]

Hubby and I were married (suprise wedding) at a gorgeous function centre in Brisbane and had a cocktail type setting.
We had waitresses coming around with the food, our own private bar (we paid per head per hour) and our own private CD player.
Everyone had a great time, no formal seating, people mingled between inside and outside and it was a fantastic night!!
We wanted an enjoyable celebration that memorable for both us and our guests and we certainly accomplished it!!
Great night that we will never forget.
One of my gay friends even did a catwheel on the dance floor in his suit!

:laughing:

[MoOaNdLiTtLePoPpEt]

Hubby and I were married (suprise wedding) at a gorgeous function centre in Brisbane and had a cocktail type setting.
We had waitresses coming around with the food, our own private bar (we paid per head per hour) and our own private CD player.
Everyone had a great time, no formal seating, people mingled between inside and outside and it was a fantastic night!!
We wanted an enjoyable celebration that memorable for both us and our guests and we certainly accomplished it!!
Great night that we will never forget.
One of my gay friends even did a catwheel on the dance floor in his suit!

:laughing:

can i ask where you held it? how much was it per head?

[I love JJJ]

We were married at Hillstone, St Lucia in the Library bar.
It was around $80.00-$90.00 per head (including alcohol) but we didn't have a large wedding.
The website has pricing on it and menu/drinks options. http://www.hillstonestlucia.com.au/
They do have a minimum dollar amount for bookings (from memory it was around 6-9K minimum on catering alone) but as I was given the wrong info I got to book it on my terms which was great because it's just lovely!
Good luck with everything....keep me posted and if I can be of any further help, let me know.
:)