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Aaaah… the cocktail hour…
I love making sure that I use my time with friends and family wisely. Mr. Swan really wanted to attend our cocktail hour so that we could greet our guests, eat some of the great food we’d chosen for them, and enjoy the general good times. Our cocktail hour was what I like to call “productive”. Here are some things that I did during our cocktail hour that not only made it productive, but most importantly FUN! Remember I’ve said it’s totally necessary to have fun!
1. We greeted many of our guests, especially those that I’d never met before.
2. I hugged friends both old and new… a lot.
3. I posed for pictures.
4. We made sure to get some laughs with our guests.
5. We watched our guests as they enjoyed themselves.
6. We took in some of the great sunny weather we had that day. Battery Gardens has a great patio area that was exclusively for our group.
7. We got our grub on with our guests. Well, actually, the Battery Gardens folks set aside some food for Mr. Swan and me to make sure that we actually ate something before greeting everyone. Here’s a sample of what our guests enjoyed (Did you think I was going to NOT show you food shots? Au contraire, mis amigos):
Lamb chops… I don’t think I had one, but I heard that they were great.
Crab cakes, a classic favorite
A cheese station. Cheese is a must!
Our guests also got to chow down on a Mediterranean station with all the fixins’. Hummus, olives, baba ganoush, pita… oh my!
We had a relatively smaller wedding (compared to many) of only about 95 people, and I think we got to see almost all of our guests during the cocktail hour. I made sure I got the attention of some of the waiters to bring over some of the hors d’ oeuvres. Um… hello! I was the one in the big white dress, so I figured they’d stop if I waved them over. 
Yes, I know I am a bad bride, but I was HONGRY!
Yay for using our time during our cocktail hour wisely!
Swan Tip #12 - Another one of the most highly debated wedding issues: cocktail hour attendance. Attending was a great option for us. We got to spend even more time with our guests, enjoy the beautiful weather we were having that day, and eat. Who doesn’t like eating? If you can find a way to attend even a small part of the cocktail hour, I highly recommend it.
All Images by Mr. Dante Williams, wedding paparazzo
How did we get to the cocktail hour already?!
I love how you are both playing with your rings in picture 4! I remember getting used to mine was tough that day.
I never would have noticed the “ring playing” until you mentioned it. Now that I see it, it has become the cutest picture EVER!!!! Gorgeous pictures!
You and Mr. Swan are such a gorgeous couple. Your wedding looks beautiful, and I totally teared up at your post yesterday regarding your ‘other’ guests. 
Every time I read one of our recaps, I am blown away at how gorgeous and happy you look! Congratulations!
I love your recaps! I’m in an interracial relationship to, and I just love seeing your photos from the wedding. It really gets me excited to see everyone together! I love that you guys joined the cocktail hour
To piggyback off of mimosa, I’m also in an interracial relationship and I just love see pics of your wedding. Everything is just gorgeous and you and Mr. Swan look so beautiful together
Oh, and your cocktail hour looks yummy! I can understand why you had to make an appearance!
Glad to know that you guys attended the cocktail hour! Me and FI are def going to do this too - we figured, we put lots of work into planning the entire day (including the cocktail hour) and I want to enjoy every second of it!
Mrs. Swan - you look SO happy, elegant, and beautiful in these photos! I love the candids!
That patio looks so cozy, perfect place to enjoy the sunny day. Mmmmmmm, I want a crab cake now.
That looks like so fun! I really want to be at our cocktail hour!
Those pics of the patio TOTALLY made me sad and longing for an NYC spring…great timing, right? 
Yummy food pics!
I love everything about your cocktail hour - the good times, delicious-looking food, and the outdoor patio with the hanging lanterns in the tree!
oooh the food looks delicouuuss! Those are great pictures to have during cocktail hour, love it!
Your cocktail hour looks like a great time with great people and food! I love how you posed for pictures! So fab! We will be taking pictures during the cocktail hour…but i def want to try and make a 10 min appearance! And I found out they will bring the food to us while we are outside taking pics!! I dont want to see him before the ceremony and i dont want to wake up before dawn to get our hair done…but you also had an afternoon wedding…please show us a time line…that would be so helpful! You made it look easy!
this is EXACTLY why we’re taking photos before hand. I want to eat that yummy food and talk to our guests too!
Looks like a ton of fun! And we’re having a cheese station too!
Ahh-the damask dress in the first shot was my reh. dinner dress (I had a b&w damask wedding).
Great pixs. I love how you have a beautiful smile n each n every one of them. Looks like u had a blast.
Our venue insisted on hiding us away for private appetizers & cocktails in the bridal parlor, but we told the venue - no! we are going to enjoy it with our guests! they will pull us away near the end of the cocktail hour so we can be on standby for the grand entrance into the reception. I look forward to meeting & greeting our family and friends!
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Mrs. Swan, New York City Age and Occupation: 31, Legislative Representative Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Finance Guy Engagement Date: August 9, 2008 Wedding Date: August 2009 Venue: Battery Gardens About Me: I am an un-crafty but resourceful, Caribbean-born but New York-raised woman who's been known to analyze "Dancing with the Stars" and “So You Think You Can Dance”, buy stinky cheese, and use way too many parentheses. I keep lists for fun, am constantly daydreaming of my next international travel adventure (four continents down, three to go), debating sports (let’s Got Mets/Giants!) and dancing around my apartment to stay sane. I am excited to share our wedding planning journey as I hope to plan a streamlined, personal, and fun wedding with the greatest life partner I could ever imagine, Mr. Swan.
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