The ceremony is over…your friends and family are excited to be the first to congratulate you on your new wedded status… Everyone is mingling, celebrating and asking each other that first question, “Where’s the bar?” Answering that question is something anyone planning a wedding needs to think about and have a plan.
Bar or rather beverages are an important part of your guests’ entire experience…. From champagne to beer and everything in between, what to serve and where to serve it is vital to the success of your celebration. The bar should be more than a place where people stand three deep vying for a drink. Beverages, including the bar, can be a really delicious way to entertain your guests and set your mark on your party.
Access is the key word when it comes to great beverage service planning. I love to plan a party with several different food and beverage experiences so that during the evening, there is always something new happening. High energy and strong rhythm are always in demand because who wants to be bored?
If your ceremony is on site, then a welcome beverage is always just that..the warm welcome we want your guests to feel. From herbal iced teas with lavender stirrers to three flavors of lemonade all coordinated to the color palette of the day, these refreshing beverages make for a warm welcome.
Once the ceremony concludes, everyone’s ready to “find the bar”! Cocktail hour planning is important as it sets the tone for the evening. It’s when all your guests will be relaxed, celebrating and mingling. And if they have a drink in their hands, the party has started. It is always lovely to start the cocktail hour with butlered drinks. Champagne, white wine and sparkling water can sound standard but they serve a purpose. Keep in mind, 30% of your guests will take a beverage from a butler and enjoy a gracious experience. That is one third of your guests who are not in line at a bar, making both experiences more welcoming for all.
Photographs by Rosinne Chlala
Creating a special signature drink is always a way to put your name on your celebration. Here in New England, everything from Dark N’ Stormys to a trio of margarita flavors to martinis that go down smooth add to the party spirit!
The most lavish wedding can be intricately designed, however, without a well thought out plan the only memory is how long it took to get a drink or to find the bar. We once were actually guests at a very beautiful wedding complete with cathedral ceremony, trolley rides past the Potomac, and a gorgeous private club setting. The only bar was on the terrace. Where was the party? On the terrace, even though dinner and dancing was inside.
Logistically, look at your reception and ask questions about the bar locations. If the bar is located in the lobby will everyone stop there and never go into the cocktail hour? Your guests will follow the bar.. so be sure that there are bars where you want your guests to be. In consulting with your team and dependent on the guest count, we suggest that every bar has a minimum of two tenders as you really do not know which bar will be most popular.
Consider what you would like to serve: full premium bar with great vodkas and scotches? Did you know that scotch is having a big comeback? If you rather have that great band, wine and beer with a special signature cocktail can be a really great way to go. If your guy is a micro-beer aficionado, an interesting micro beer bar would be a welcome addition. No one knows your guests like you do. Share it with your team to ensure that everyone’s feeling the love.
My best advice for a long and happy future with your families? Find out what the significant people in your lives’ favorite drink is and have it available. Grandma drinks single malt scotch? All you need is one bottle.
Whatever you decide let your beverage selections speak to your guests for you. “Yes, you know us…this is what we love to do, and we want to share it with you!”
Festivities is known for the finest in catered foods, sophisticated presentations and innovative event designs. For almost 30 years, this brother –sister team have kept their business on the cutting edge of food and event design. Multiple time winners of “Best of the Gold Coast”, Roe and Bill offer their clients a warm, customized experience when planning their most important celebrations.
Rosinne K. Chlala
Co-Owner/Event Consultant Festivities
203-847-7774
info@festivitiesevents.com
festivitiesevents.com
Join Festivities on Facebook
Twitter: @festivitiesct
Photograph by Kate Eiseman