Wedding
Receptions:
From Cocktails to Formal Dinners
When planning the reception for your wedding,
and the beverages are concerned, it would be in your best interest
to have a fairly decent array of options as many people drink
different things. Many times, prior to the bride and groom
arriving, simple drinks are offered to the guests as a tide
over to the bar opening. Nobody wants to walk into their reception
and find all their guests half sloshed already. On that note,
many people have the caterers serve coffee, tea, or something
mild like beer. Wine is usually reserved for the dinner portion
of the reception.
During
the toast, champagne may be poured while the bar is
being prepped for the night’s activities. It would be most
cost efficient if you had a cash bar, where the guests paid
for their spirits on a cost per single drink method. This will
keep the cost of the whole ordeal to the lower side. If cost
is not an issue and there really is not a budget, then perhaps
you will forgo the cash bar in exchange for an open bar. Keep
in mind however, for the heavier drinkers, this is a window
for them to drink far more, making possible allowances for
problems or certain alcohol dilemmas. Either way, when dealing
with a bar of any sort, you will need a bartender that is licensed,
and will surely have to pay for a license to serve on the premises
for the evening. Getting alcohol liability insurance may not
be such a bad idea, as well. You just never know what will
happen when you introduce liquor to any event, best to play
it safe, rather than sorry at the end.
For obvious reasons, understanding the rules
of the bar will
be under state law, meaning there will be a last call in effect
at the time the law governs. If all of this is covered in the
catering costs, you will want to make sure there is a lower
rate due to the fact that children most likely will be present
at the event, and will not be consuming alcohol. This also
applies to the pay per bottle-opened method of payment. Generally,
you will have to pay for the services of the bartender, and
likely it would be of nice and appropriate gesture for the
bartender to be tipped, as well. They are doing a service for
your event, and should be covered for that evening. They can
make or break a great event. When it comes to the planning
of the reception with the caterer, make it clear that you do
not need the top shelf brands of alcohol to entertain the guests
as that could really cost a fortune in the end. Be precise
in what you want, and make certain will be no hidden costs
to deal with later that may break the bank.
When
serving dinner, it might not be a bad idea to incorporate
two bottles of wine per table. No matter the menu, the common
rule of thumb regarding white with red meat, red with white
meat, should really be negated, as people themselves have personal
preference and should be given the option to decide. Realistically,
no more than twelve dollars per bottle of wine, so twenty-four
in total for each table, needs to be spent. A nice and tasteful
common house wine for dinner is all the guests really require,
no need to serve a 1961 select bottle that will break the bank.
Especially when the bar will be opened shortly after dinner.
They can wait, and then drink what they wish. Make sure you
have on the beverage menu some soda, juice and milk that will
take care of the children. They will need something during
the wait for the bride and groom, throughout dinner, and into
the rest of the evening. By having a wide variety of beverage
options to carry you through the evening, is a sure fire way
to keep things from going stale very quickly. It would also
be under recommendation to set up some sort of designated driver
program. As there are many guests, and much alcohol the likelihood
of someone attempting to drive impaired increases as the mood
flows, and people are becoming very lets say happy. Keep it
safe for you, for your guests, and for anyone on the road that
may be indirectly involved with your reception by way of an
impaired driver leaving your event. By following a few tips
at your reception, you can be sure that everyone has a good
time and you stay stress-free.
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by KissMeGoodnight.com
: 2006
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