If you’re considering holding a cocktail-style reception with a more relaxed intimate vibe, where your guests can mingle and move about easily throughout the evening, or you are just wanting to add some cocktail furniture for the cocktail & canape portion of your wedding day, then you have come to the right place!
Finding the right combination of lounges, bars, stools, umbrellas, cushions & rugs to create the perfect atmosphere, ensure the comfort of your guests and reflect the overall aesthetic of your wedding day can all be achieved with a little consideration & some helpful advice.
Keen to find out exactly what you should be considering when it comes to cocktail styling or just looking for inspiration? Read on!
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1. ENSURE YOU HAVE ADEQUATE SEATING
Make sure you have enough seating for your guests. You don’t need to provide a seat for every guest, but you do want to ensure there is an adequate amount of furniture for the duration of the time your guests will be using the space. Some guests will mingle and stand, while others are seated, bearing in mind the age and habits of your guests. Always be sure to consider the oldies and ladies in heels!
As a rule, we recommend that you provide enough seating for 50 – 70% of your guests. As an absolute minimum, seating for at least half of your guests.
We also suggest ensuring you have at least one or two lounge sets within your cocktail furniture selection as these are the most comfortable & practical options for any elderly guests or even just those guests that prefer a little more comfort and a little back support!
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2. INCORPORATE DIFFERENT FURNITURE STYLES & HEIGHTS
From experience, we always find to create a visually appealing and functional cocktail reception, it is essential to include a variety of different heights with your seating options. These include lounge seating areas with lounges, armchairs & coffee tables, some high bars and stools and you could also add in some casual, cafe style tables and chairs.
Incorporating a variety of furniture styles and heights creates a balanced and interesting space for your guests to mingle and chat whilst also ensuring the space is more inclusive & comfortable for everyone.
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3. INCORPORATE COLOURS, TEXTURES & DECOR TO CREATE A THEME
An essential element to styling your cocktail reception is incorporating colour & texture into the space. This helps to bring the theme and flow of your reception seamlessly together. This can easily be achieved by adding cushions, vases, candles, rugs and natural elements such as coconuts, shells, crystals, florals, foliage, dried or fresh botanicals.
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4. MAKE THE BAR A FEATURE
The bar is going to be a central point of activity at your cocktail style reception. We love making this area a real feature! There are a few options, for example using neon signs to create a fun lighting option, using an interesting back drop with eye catching signage or dressing the bar top with a stunning floral arrangement. The use of speciality glassware and decanter sets can also create something truly beautiful.
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5. DON’T FORGET TO CONSIDER THE WEATHER
The most overlooked part of any cocktail reception or cocktail hour is often also the most important! Be sure to consider the amount of shade in the cocktail space. You may wish to add some Garden Umbrellas for your guests, your bartenders or any musicians or performers that will be working or mingling in this space for quite some time.
If you are getting married in Winter, Autumn or Spring when the afternoons and evenings can still be quite cool, you might want to consider adding some heaters or some blankets that you can offer your guests to ensure they are a little more comfortable as the night starts to cool down.
Lastly, in the case of light showers or rain, dare we mention it, you may be inside a structure or building for the majority of your day and you may want to give your guests the opportunity to explore the grounds a little more or just get outside for a little fresh air or even for some photos. In this case, you may want to consider adding some Clear Umbrellas. We suggest booking enough for close to half your guest number as guests will often use these in pairs. We also happen to love them in photos!
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If you are still needing a little extra help or advice on how to create the perfect cocktail space, we love putting together recommendations for our couples and we are more than happy to help you choose the pieces that work best for you from our hire range here.
Don’t forget to also check out our Style Collections here to see some carefully curated furniture packages that cover your ceremony, cocktail hour & dining to ensure a cohesive look across all three areas.
Whether you would like to choose each individual piece yourself, following our suggested quantities, different types of seating, the extras to consider & the weather on the day, you would like to use one of our collections or get in touch for some more assistance, we have the best option for you! Please feel free to get in touch using our contact form here.