Articles on Weddings | Topics: weddings, wedding
by Verna Underwood
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.
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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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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Cocktails to Formal Dinners – Your Options for the Wedding Reception" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by FamilyBabyKids.com. |
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