Why You Should Rethink Cocktail Hour
Couples are rethinking the traditional wedding timeline—and discovering the magic of starting the celebration early. A pre-ceremony cocktail hour lets guests relax, mingle, and sip before the vows, creating a seamless, joyful flow for the entire day. At Caya Azul, this modern approach transforms a six-hour wedding into a full, connected experience—where you actually have time to eat, drink, and celebrate with the people you love.
Because your celebration should start when your guests arrive—not an hour later.
It’s time to challenge one of the most unquestioned traditions in wedding planning: the timing of cocktail hour.
For decades, it’s been standard—ceremony first, cocktails after. But as more couples opt for intimate, six-hour celebrations or weekend experiences, that old formula doesn’t always fit. It can feel rushed, segmented, and a little too predictable. You spend months planning a day meant to be shared… only to realize you’ve barely shared it with anyone.
So let’s flip it.
A pre-ceremony cocktail hour invites your guests into your day from the moment they arrive. Picture it: music drifting across the lawn, champagne flutes catching the light, friends greeting each other, and the two of you—relaxed, unhurried, soaking it all in. It’s the perfect transition between getting ready and getting married.
This simple shift does more than add flair—it changes the flow of your entire event. Guests feel instantly welcome. The mood softens. The anticipation builds naturally instead of awkwardly waiting for photos or seating cues. You gain time to socialize, sip, and breathe, instead of rushing from one timeline box to the next.
And when the ceremony begins? Everyone’s present. Settled. Warm. The energy feels genuine, not staged. From there, the evening unfolds seamlessly: Ceremony → Cocktail → Grand Entrance → Dinner → Reception → Party.
It’s not about breaking tradition for the sake of it—it’s about designing a day that actually reflects how you want to feel: connected, calm, and completely in the moment.
So, if you’ve ever thought, “Our day feels too short,” or “We want more time with our people,”—the answer might be as simple as starting with a drink in hand.