What is Cocktail?

Also written: Cocktail night, cocktail party

A cocktail is a modern evening party in the wedding days, with drinks, music and dancing, usually hosted for friends and the younger family.

Who keeps it: Urban families across India, especially at destination weddings.
When: Usually the night before the wedding, after the sangeet or in its place. Some couples hold it after the wedding instead.

About Cocktail

What should you know about Cocktail?

It is a social event, not a ritual, and many families keep it separate from the more traditional functions so elders can choose to skip it. Couples often set a dress code and a theme.

If you invite only some guests, a family-wise invitation helps, so the cocktail appears only for the families invited to it.

In the order of functions

Where does Cocktail come in an Indian wedding?

Usually the night before the wedding, after the sangeet or in its place. Some couples hold it after the wedding instead.

Before the weddingFixing the match, the engagement, the date and the card.
The functionsPujas, haldi, mehndi, sangeet and the family days before the wedding.
Wedding day ritualsFrom the baraat to the pheras, nikah and anand karaj.
After the weddingVidaai, the new home, the reception and the first visits.

Planning your own days? The free wedding function order planner puts your functions in a sensible order with dates.

On the card

What do families write on the invitation for Cocktail?

Cocktails under the stars. Friday, 13 February, 9 pm onwards. Dress code: black and gold.

Related words

Words that go with Cocktail

Sangeet
Sangeet is the music and dance night before the wedding, where both families perform songs and dances for the couple and each other.
Reception
A reception is the party, usually hosted by the groom's family after the wedding, where the newly married couple meet guests, receive blessings and gifts, and everyone shares a meal.
Mehndi
Mehndi is the ceremony where henna is applied to the bride's hands and feet in detailed patterns, while the women of the family sing, dance and celebrate around her.
Save the date
A save the date is an early message that tells guests the couple's names, the wedding date and the city, so they can plan travel and leave before the full invitation arrives.
Haldi
Haldi is the ceremony where relatives apply a paste of turmeric, gram flour and oil or rose water to the bride and groom, each at their own home, to bless them and make them glow.

All 98 Indian wedding words