The sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the wedding venue. The air buzzes with anticipation and upbeat background music is setting the mood as guests gather for  cocktail hour. It’s a magical time,  a bridge between your ceremony and the reception later in the evening.  

The basics are refreshingly simple, keep people fed and hydrated and you will have no one fidgeting or getting bored,.   A harvest table laden with a variety of cheese, cold meats, nuts, biltong and fruit is always a win.   Drinks wise, gin bars are still super popular for South african weddings, especially in our summer months,  Craft beer on tap , Aperol Spritzes and champagne are also hugely popular options for pre-drinks.

With pre-drinks typically lasting two to three hours, it’s essential to keep your guests entertained while you’re off on your creative photo shoot. 🥂🎶 Here are some ideas to add fun and flair to your pre-drinks area:

This is the easiest one if your venue has a dam and don't mind your guests smashing golf balls into it :)  All you need is a couple of buckets with golf balls.  Given enough time and a quick Google, you can source second hand golf balls in the Durban area.

Materials Needed:
Rope: You’ll need four long pieces of rope (two for the vertical lines and two for the horizontal lines).
Stakes or Pegs: To secure the rope in place.
Space: Find a flat area on the lawn where you can lay out your giant board.

Creating the Grid
Lay down the ropes to form a large grid. Each square should be big enough for guests to step into.
The grid should have three rows and three columns, just like the classic Noughts and Crosses game.

Monogram or Initials:
Add a personal touch by incorporating your wedding monogram or initials.
Place your monogram or initials in the center square (where the X and O intersect). You can use wooden letters, painted stones, or any creative material that fits your theme.

Guests Take Turns:
Guests can step into the squares and place either an X or an O.
The goal is to get three of their symbols in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally).

These timeless games never fail to entertain:

Giant Jenga: Guests take turns removing a block without toppling the tower. It’s a game of skill and suspense.
Bean Bag Toss: Set up two wooden boards with holes and provide bean bags. Guests toss the bags toward the holes to score points. It’s easy to learn and great for all ages.

Most decor companies hire out Giant Jenga setsand bean bag toss boards.

Well, to be honest, I didn’t realize how complicated the rules are for croquet! 🤣 While most people don’t know the rules, they at least get the idea. I looked around for a simplified version of the rules, which you’ll find below. I’ve also included the proper setup parameters for the hoops and peg, but I doubt your guests will notice if it’s not set up to association standards. 😊

SETUP
• Place the peg in the center of the play area.
• Position four hoops to form a rectangle around the peg (the proper dimensions are 10.5 meters by 7 meters).
• The other two hoops are placed on the long centerline (each 3.5 meters from the peg if you’re doing a proper setup).
• All the hoops should be parallel to the shorter side of the rectangle.

SIMPLIFIED RULES 
This is a simple variation of the croquet rules called Golf Croquet, recommended for up to six people to play at the same time.

OBJECTIVE 
Win by being the first to score a set number of points (usually 7 or 10).

GAMEPLAY RULES
• Each player has one ball.
• Take turns hitting your ball through the correct wickets (hoops) in a specific order.
• If you shoot your own ball through the correct wicket, you play another shot for the next hoop.
• You can extend your turn by hitting an opponent’s ball as well.