25 Cocktail Hour Ideas from Real Weddings Close After the ceremony, celebrate your new union with a lively cocktail hour where guests can chat, enjoy signature cocktails, and savor delightful hors d'oeuvres. While you and your wedding party might be busy capturing photos, ensure this part of your day is guest-focused and full of inventive drinks, snacks, and entertaining activities. Credit: A Bryan Photo 55 Creative Wedding Favors Your Guests Will Be Excited to Take Home 01 of 25 Neon Sign Credit: Rachel Havel Photography Both an incredible piece of tent décor and the perfect photo backdrop, this couple's leafy neon sign was an aesthetic highlight. Discover More Neon Signs That'll Light Up Your Reception 02 of 25 Live Art Credit: Lori Paladino Photography An artist painted an illustration of this couple's event during cocktail hour, and guests were able to look on as he worked his magic. Everything You Need to Know About Hiring an Event Painter for Your Wedding 03 of 25 Ladder Cocktail Display Credit: Emily Wren At this pre-reception party, the presentation of the signature sips was everything. Signature Cocktails for Every Bride and Groom 04 of 25 Fun Fact Napkins Credit: Suzuran Photography This couple jazzed up their cocktail napkins with funny relationship facts. 05 of 25 Refresher Station Credit: Greer Gattuso Lemon-lime water coolers kept guests hydrated between drinks at this summer wedding. 06 of 25 Bohemian Seating Credit: Rachel Havel Photography This couple worked their woodsy, bohemian theme into their cocktail hour lounge, complete with leather-and-wood chairs, vintage rugs, and mud cloth pillows. More Cozy Wedding Lounge Ideas 07 of 25 Globe Display Credit: Birds of a Feather A globe wall allowed guests to pin the places the adventurous couple needed to put on their bucket list. 08 of 25 Sequined Tables Credit: Ken Kienow A glitzy copper tablecloth brought a touch of glam to this rustic vineyard cocktail hour. 09 of 25 Polaroid Seating Chart Credit: Ryan Ray At the end of the cocktail hour, guests were invited to find their Polaroid selfie, which had a table number on the back. Discover Even More Creative Seating Cards and Displays 10 of 25 Acrylic Signage Credit: Bake Photography Since they were off taking photos, this couple displayed a calligraphed sign for their guests, thanking them for witnessing their happy union. More Inspired Wedding Signs 11 of 25 Glass Wall Credit: Sarah Kate Photography Mismatched glasses, taper candles, and vines dressed up this outdoor bar's backsplash. 12 of 25 Signature Cocktail Sign Credit: Clary Photo Since this couple named their signature cocktails after their beloved dogs, they enlisted the help of an illustrator to paint their likenesses onto the drink menu. 13 of 25 Pretzel Station Credit: Koman Photography Assorted dipping sauces accompanied freshly-baked pretzels at this creative food station. More Delicious Food Bars for Your Cocktail Hour 14 of 25 Mini Tent Credit: Bryan from For the Love of It Lined with cushions and a mini coffee table, this small tent offered guests a quiet respite from the festivities. 15 of 25 Live Music Credit: Jillian Mitchell Photography Guitarists serenaded guests during this Mexico destination wedding's cocktail hour. 16 of 25 Truck Cooler Credit: Skip Hopkins At a casual wedding, a vintage pick-up truck served as the beer cooler. Casual Wedding Ideas You'll Love 17 of 25 Yard Games Credit: Molly Scott Multiple sets of giant Jenga kept guests entertained while the couple snapped wedding photos. These Wedding Games Will Keep Guests Laughing 18 of 25 Snow Cone Station Credit: Christie Pham Photography During the cocktail hour, a shaved ice cart gave guests a prelude of the dessert to come. 19 of 25 Picnic Blankets Credit: Ether and Smith One couple transformed their cocktail hour into a picnic by laying out cozy blankets perfect for lounging. 20 of 25 Snacks on Wheels Credit: Jen Fariello Photography An old wagon served as the base for a charcuterie station at this wedding. Nearby, fresh kettle corn was popping, and beer and wine was served from a canoe bar. See More of this Real Wedding in Scottsville, Virginia 21 of 25 Beer Flights Credit: Nancy Ray Photography Different beer samplings were offered for cocktail hour at this North Carolina wedding as a nod to the groom's love of craft brews. See More of this Real Wedding in Highlands, North Carolina 22 of 25 A Unique Toast Credit: Edyta Szyszlo This couple raised julep cups filled with bubbly, giving their Kentucky wedding some Southern flair. See More of this Real Wedding in Midway, Kentucky 23 of 25 Island Style Credit: Jenelle Kappe At their Bahamas celebration, the newlyweds offered guests delicous cocktails served in coconuts. See More of this Real Wedding in Harbour Island, Bahamas 24 of 25 Post-Ceremony Cocktails Credit: Braedon Photography Guests were greeted by waiters carrying trays of celebratory Champagne as they exited the ceremony, and a full bar was set up in a grove of trees. See More of this Real Wedding 25 of 25 Festive Napkins Credit: Lang Thomas Photography These foil-stamped napkins, aptly inscribed with, "Cheers!" put guests at this wedding in a celebratory mood. See More of this Real Wedding Explore more: Weddings Real Weddings