The cocktail hour may not be one of your top priorities when it comes to your wedding. However, the cocktail hour is more than just a period of time set aside for guests to mix and mingle while sipping drinks. It's the hour before your reception that helps set the tone for the rest of your celebration.

Up to 2.4 million weddings are performed on average throughout the U.S. every year. Your cocktail hour could be the very thing that helps set you and your wedding apart. To that end, here are a few ways to truly wow your guests during your cocktail hour.

Go local with your hors-d'oeuvres. Whether you're getting married in your hometown or having a destination wedding, the location of your ceremony may be known for a particular food. Consider incorporating these local delicacies into your appetizers during the cocktail hour for a little bit of neighborhood flare.
Have your party DJ play something smooth. DJ entertainment is great for the after party of your wedding, but that doesn't mean you have to resign your DJ service to the post-reception area. Talk to a professional DJ service about playing some soft, good-time music like jazz or acoustic to set the mood without revving up the guests for a party.
Make your cocktail hour interactive. The cocktail hour is meant to be a social event between the wedding ceremony and the reception. Consider helping your guests socialize by providing them with wine or craft beer samples to try with some cheese. Simple games, especially if your wedding is outdoors, is another great interactive way to let your guests socialize.
Divide up the bar. The last thing you want to do at the cocktail hour is make it impossible for guests to get their drinks in a simple fashion. By creating separate bar areas around the space, you help to limit foot traffic and make your guests that much happier.

Wedding guests are more likely to remember the entertainment at a wedding more than anything else about the celebration. Amp up your reception by setting the tone with a party DJ even before the after-party. To learn more or to book a DJ company for your NJ wedding, contact us at Blanc Noir today.