Wedding Cocktail Hour Ideas Guaranteed To Wow Your Guests

cocktail hour sign – via 100layercake.com

Congratulations! You’ve exchanged vows and now it’s time to party! Wedding cocktail hour provides a perfect opportunity for the just married couple to showcase their personality and style. From decor and styling to the drink menu to entertainment, there are many ways to set the tone for that time following the ceremony when celebrations really start to get underway. We rounded up creative and fun ideas that will have your guests talking about your cocktail hour long after the last glass of champagne and hors d’oeuvre are served.

Gorgeous Decor: Linens & Centerpieces

Make cocktail tables stand out with a stunning linen and floral centerpiece combo. For a dramatic table top, tie rich burgundy fabric with a blush satin bow and top with a lovely white and wine colored arrangement set in a shimmering vase. After setting up a light under the tables, cover the tops with scallop-textured linens and submerged greenery centerpieces to create an ambiance of natural enchantment. Luxe linens paired with soft colored blooms in mirror vases radiate romantic elegance.
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Jean & Bryan Wedding - Bride & Bridesmaids - Bronx Post Office - by Karen Wise

Weddings

Featured Bride Jean On Her Breathtaking Monique Lhuillier Dress & Wedding Personals

by Kate Murphy

Jean & Bryan Wedding – Bride & Bridesmaids – Bronx Post Office – by Karen Wise

Some brides-to-be know exactly what style of wedding dress they want. While others start their search with no idea at all. Then there are those, like our featured bride Jean, who go in with a set look in mind and completely surprise themselves with what they end up wearing down the aisle.

Part 2: Saying Yes To The Dress & Personals

Once the venue and date were confirmed, Jean had only four months to look for a dress. Because of her busy schedule and short timeline, she sometimes attended bridal salon appointments alone and her sisters and mother joined whenever possible. One afternoon, she and her oldest sister, Joanne, made another visit to Monique Lhuillier on the Upper East Side. The esteemed fashion designer is known for her frothy tulle skirts, dramatic silhouettes, and decorative flourishes. Jean, on the other hand, envisioned herself wearing something classic and simple, but with a modern sensibility. So when her sister pointed out the Fleur gown, she didn’t think much of it at first. “I would never have chosen the dress for myself. It was completely the opposite of what I ever pictured myself in!” says Jean. The blush colored design featured a voluminous, multi-tiered ball gown skirt and strapless lace top. “After trying the dress on for my mother and other sisters, it was clear this was the one.” Jean accessorized her stunning gown with a cathedral length veil, also by Monique Lhuillier, and Ferragamo patent leather sandals.
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Becca and Dave Wedding - Brideghampton Tennis & Surf Club - Bride - Bridesmaides - Bouquets - photography by Andre Maier

Planning & Inspiration

The Ultimate Guide To Summer Bridesmaid Style

by Kate Murphy

Becca and Dave Wedding – Brideghampton Tennis & Surf Club – Bride – Bridesmaides – Bouquets – photography by Andre Maier

One of the best things about having a summer wedding is that the season offers a fresh outlook on bridal style. Today, we are focusing on bridesmaids. You’ve known these ladies forever. They know exactly what to say when the stress of wedding planning gets overwhelming. With their guidance and support, you feel reassured that nothing can go wrong when the big day arrives. They are your girl squad. So of course, you want them looking and feeling good at your summer wedding too! From dresses to bouquets to accessories, here’s how to bring beauty, elegance, and fun to bridesmaid summer style.
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Jean & Bryan Wedding - Bride & Groom - Bronx Post Office - by Karen Wise

Weddings

Jean & Bryan: A Modern Day Fairytale at the Bronx Post Office

by Kate Murphy

Jean & Bryan Wedding – Bride & Groom – Bronx Post Office – by Karen Wise

Sometimes love happens without you even realizing it. Just ask Jean and Bryan. Their relationship went through many phases over the years before ‘romance’ even entered the picture. But isn’t it the love stories like Jean and Bryan’s, the ones full of twists, turns, and a bump or two that make the rest of us believe that “true love” is even possible?

Jean and Bryan said “I do” on a lovely spring day in a breathtaking ceremony and reception at the Bronx Post Office. Here’s the first chapter in their modern day fairytale.
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Sophia & Sam Wedding - Ceremony Trees Hydrangea Manzanita Dendrobium Phalaenopsis Orchid - Tribeca 360 NYC - by Shira Weinberger

Planning & Inspiration

Unique Decor Ideas Using Orchid Wedding Flowers

by Kate Murphy

Sophia & Sam Wedding – Ceremony Trees Hydrangea Manzanita Dendrobium Phalaenopsis Orchid – Tribeca 360 NYC – by Shira Weinberger

When it comes to using orchids in wedding floral decor, brides-to-be have much to be excited about. While the Phalaenopsis is the most popular for weddings, there are other types of orchids available such as dendrobrium, cymbidium, and cattleya. Each is uniquely beautiful from the next and can be used in just about every floral decor element. From bouquets to ceremonial structures to centerpieces, here are inspiring ideas for using orchid wedding flowers.

Phalaenopsis Orchid

The most recognized of all the orchids is the Phalaenopsis. Our brides love this bloom not only for its exquisite beauty, but also for its versatility. Phalaenopsis orchids can be used in various wedding styles ranging from exotic and opulent to classic to modern. Tall centerpieces featuring lush cream and lavender roses and hydrangea complemented by descending white Phalaensopsis orchids evoke an ambiance of timeless elegance. A bridal bouquet featuring the flower in bold violet with burgundy and red roses captures the eye with dramatic flair. Give the traditional white wedding cake a makeover with a flourish of cascading natural blooms.
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Planning & Inspiration

Interview With Wedding Planner José Rolón of José Rolón Events

by Kate Murphy

José Rolón – courtesy José Rolón Events

When we met with wedding planner José Rolón at his Brooklyn Heights office, he was coming down from a wedding that took place just days before. Working with twenty-four different vendors on this particular event, he recalls, “Not kidding, I walked into the venue and had five vendors simultaneously circle around me with questions.” Most would have buckled in the situation, but José is grace under pressure personified. It’s particularly incredible considering that he started his company José Rolón Events just five years ago. Since then, José has established himself as a major player in New York City’s wedding scene. For much of this time, he’s juggled work with being a single father to his three children. “After my husband passed away unexpectedly, I learned to never let myself get too comfortable. I am not a pessimist by any means, but you just never know what life will throw at you, good or bad.”
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Planning & Inspiration