The cocktail hour is an interesting thing because it can run the gamut from ultra-formal and sophisticated to introduce completely relaxed and discreet. The formal style best suits a reception will be very fancy in general. Formal does not have to mean the interior, however. Say you're having your wedding in a luxury hotel and a dress with jewelry beads crystal wedding fabulous. You can host an outdoor cocktail style as much as will the rest of your event. Perhaps your hotel has a charming courtyard with fountains and a stunning roof terrace overlooking the city skyline.Your wedding at a country club? Find out if you have a patio or terrace where you could set the cocktail hour. Country clubs, inevitably, are picturesque landscapes of the perfect grass, hills and beautiful gardens. How wonderful it would nibble appetizers while overlooking the manicured gardens of the club. What's really great about this deal is that if the weather ends up looking like rain on the wedding day, the club may be able to move into cocktails with no problem. Some places also have attractive shops that can be configured to cover your deck or patio.
Indeed, if the rest of your wedding will be held outside the cocktail hour will be. But are not limited to set aside a portion of the main tent for appetizers. The wedding will flow much better if you can arrange a separate space for each of the three main elements: the ceremony, cocktail hour and dinner. A separate tent with tables around which high stress may be all it takes to create a special area for snacks.