Cocktail Hour

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The glorious cocktail hour. A time of mingling and sampling a myriad of miniature culinary delights! As you can see from my somewhat random selection of drinks and hors d'oeuvres, your cocktail hour can be themed by color, by taste, or even some of your favorite things.

"Be sure to include a variety of options for your tray-passed appetizers," says wedding planning guru Jo Gartin, "a couple hot appetizers, a couple cold, and at least one vegetarian option. I like to offer a choice of at least five hors d'oeuvres…Your venue may restrict you in terms of the choice of hors d'oeuvres, but they are almost always willing to mix it up when it comes to presentation. Using cookbooks and entertaining magazines as references can be helpful in conveying to the chef what you're after." From "Jo Gartin's Weddings," page 105.

Top: Mixed Martinisphoto courtesy of Steven Becker, Green and pink martinis, photos courtesy of "Simply Stunning Weddings" by Karen Bussen. Second Row: Pop drinks, mini-wedding cakes, and appetizer in hand, photos courtesy of "Jo Gartin's Weddings" by Jo Gartin. Spicy Seared Scallops photo courtesy of Martha Stewart. Wrapped shrimp photo courtesy of Brides.com. Third Row: Pink and gold photo courtesy of Martha Stewart. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres photo courtesy of Liz Banfield. Forth Row: Healthy appetizers photo courtesy of Martha Stewart. Cucumber roll photo courtesy of Brides.com. Bamboo Cocktails photo courtesy of "Simply Stunning Weddings" by Karen Bussen. Fruit cocktail photo courtesy of Martha Stewart.