Considering a Cocktail Style Wedding?
Cocktail Style Weddings – Are You a Fan?
Planning your wedding today means you’re free to step away from traditions that don’t fit you. From brunch weddings to festival-inspired celebrations with food trucks and live music, couples are making their weddings a true reflection of their personalities.
Cocktail style weddings are one of our favourites here at Waipuna Estate. They’ve come a long way from the days of a few canapés that left everyone hungry. With grazing tables, bowl food, sliders, and food trucks, cocktail receptions are now some of the most relaxed, fun, and delicious celebrations you can plan.
Venue Flexibility
Many venues lend themselves beautifully to cocktail receptions — including spaces that may not work for a full seated meal. With no need for rows of tables, you’ll have more freedom to create a layout that encourages mingling and flow.
Tip: Provide a mix of high tables and a few seated areas so guests can choose how they’d like to enjoy their food.
Photo credit: Sally Anne Photography
Go For Gold on the Food
This is where cocktail style weddings really shine. You can mix and match food styles, from gourmet canapés and grazing tables to substantial bowl food and food trucks. Imagine wood-fired pizzas, sliders, bao buns, or fresh seafood options, all served continuously so guests can nibble and graze throughout the evening.
Food stations, roaming platters, and late-night bites add both variety and fun to your day. Guests love being able to go back for more, and it’s a great way to keep the energy up!
Photo credit: Stacey Cavalier Photography
Entertainment & Activities
Cocktail style weddings are perfect for adding playful entertainment throughout the day. With no rigid seating plan, you can scatter in activities that keep your guests smiling.
From live bands and acoustic singers to lawn games like Connect Four or giant Jenga, there are endless options to keep the vibe relaxed and interactive.
Photo credit: Stacey Cavalier Photography
Mix and Mingle
One of the best things about cocktail receptions? No seating plan stress! Your guests can chat with whoever they like, and as the couple, you’ll find it much easier to circulate and spend time with everyone.
You can still add structure for moments like cake cutting, speeches, or your first dance — but the focus remains on relaxed connection, laughter, and celebrating together.
And Relax!
Weddings don’t always have to mean a rigid timeline or a formal sit-down dinner. Cocktail style weddings allow you to relax, dance, enjoy incredible food, and celebrate in a way that feels authentically you.
At Waipuna Estate, we love hosting cocktail style weddings because they’re all about atmosphere — laughter, clinking glasses, and an energy that carries from the afternoon right into the evening.
Photo credit: Robin & Andie Photography
Ready to Plan Your Cocktail style Wedding?
If a relaxed, social, and food-filled celebration sounds like your dream day, a cocktail style wedding might be perfect for you.
Get in touch with us to find out more about hosting your cocktail wedding at Waipuna Estate, or download our wedding packages for all the details.