Want to know how to have an impact on the mood of your guests after the ceremony? Offer Open Bar. Did I just write that??? Um….NO. NO. NO. In the real budget world, Open Bar is a luxury that we just can’t afford. Unless, of course, you are having a backyard BBQ or a BYOB place and you can get some kegs for draft beer and big wine bottles in bulk. Even that would be a fraction of the price for an Open Bar.
Here’s my alternative idea just during the Cocktail Hour: offer ONE kind of drink (a.k.a. Signature Drink) to be butler passed or served at a station. Many venues will let you buy a mixed concoction by the gallon. This is not listed on the wedding catering menus. You need to ask. Be sure to use only one liquor or it will get very costly. You can even have it go with your season/theme. See my drink ideas below. All your guests who know you will assume you will be having a Cash Bar. What a nice surprise when they see a passed tray of an spiked punch going by them and only to find out they are no cost. They can have as many as time allows and your beverage bill would still be significantly less than Open Bar. Oh, and one more thing, some thought needs to go into how you want the beverages presented – type of glass, garnished, how presented, etc. Furthermore, always use a smaller glass – like a small tumbler vs. a tall cocktail class. Ask the venue to show you all the glass sizes and choose from there accordingly. Uncle Bob may have in his mind that he’s only having 3 drinks the whole night, large or small, free or not.
More alcohol = more confident dancers (well, let’s be honest, they just won’t care)
Bottom line is people seem to have more fun at a wedding when there is some sort of free drinks involved. Whether it be Uncle Bob that does his crazy dance moves (although he may do all that with no drinks) and your best friend that never does the Hustle, gets up and does it with you. Um, OK, I confess I have no idea how to do the Hustle anymore. Then again, it’s probably like riding a bike. Once you are on the dance floor and the song is playing, it will magically come back to you (or you are just really good at being a few seconds behind the other dancing guests, unnoticeable).
Signature Drink Ideas that will be a hit at your Wedding
Spring/Garden – how about a light/fruity white Sangria? You can add a piece of fruit like a strawberry or orange slice to each glass (well, meaning you buy, bartender adds). If they charge you too much for the extra fruit, just ask them to use SLICED lime instead of wedges and ask them to put on side of glass and give them grief if they charge more than $50 for that. Definitely needs to be served in a goblet type glass.
Photo by Helena Yankovska on Unsplash
Beach/Summer – Rum Punch, Bacardi (or house) rum with fruit punch served in small tumblers with an umbrella. Umbrella is a must for these, I don’t care how tacky they are. You are making a statement. This assortment of drink umbrellas from Amazon are perfect – qty 144 for $9.95. One package, done. Another idea is to serve Long Island Iced Tea. Sliced lemons are a must in these and served in small tumbler glasses.
Fall/Foliage – Spiked Apple Cider served cold AND warm. That will be a hit for Uncle Bob, Gramdma and anyone that feels a bit chilly. Insist with the venue catering sales that you will provide fresh apple cider by the gallon and they can add the house spiced rum. You have to add a cinnamon stick to both cold and hot drinks, though – just to top it off (which you will provide). You can tie in serving Wassail with a Shakespeare theme (since it’s an old English drinking ritual), just for fun. I don’t mean all into it (well….um….I would be). You can just mention it’s a casual theme, come as a Shakespearean or yourself – we will love either. AND that is where the fun begins. Will Uncle Bob come as his funny quirky self or be in full dress as a Duke? The mystery and unknown of this makes it all the more fun. Read more about the fascinated origination of Wassail here.
Credit: Winter/Snow – Irish Coffee serviced cold AND warm. Keep it all simple, no decaf. The venue should not charge you for the coffee – just for the liquor which you may be able to by the bottle. BUT, you MUST use Irish Whiskey! For the hot offerings, you also MUST get whipped cream, cool whip or whatever the venue has that is cheap. If the venue entertains this idea, you could set up an Irish Coffee stand and have one bartender there (you will have to pay the extra fee for an additional bartender – $100-$150). How cool would that be? The bartender can make cold or hot ones and have the coffee percolating behind him – fresh, fresh, fresh. This would appeal to both types of guests – the younger ones that would be thrilled to have caffeine AND liquor (Duh?!) and the older ones that would like hot, stiff coffee. They will likely have ONE. Another idea to tie in a winter theme is to have some sort of cocktail similar to this Snowflake one. Keep it to one liquor and serve in a sugared rim martin glass.
Credit: Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
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