This, seriously, could be the longest post in the history of blog posts because there are SOOOO many different ways to set up your bar! One of the first questions I ask couples is, "How important is the bar?" For most people, the level of importance wanes a bit when they realize the cost of hosting drinks for 200+ people for four hours, but at least the question gives us a starting point for the discussion. All weddings have a budget and you need to decide how to allocate the funds according to what matters most to you. For some people it's floral or decor, for some it's the food and for some it's the bar.
If you are unsure what you want to do when it comes to your bar, try asking yourself the following questions:
1. If I were hosting a dinner party for 20 people at my home, I would:
a. Make sure the liquor cabinet was stocked with everything anyone might possibly ask for
b. Have a few bottles of wine and a case of beer on hand
c. Purchase a variety of sodas and let them know it's BYOB when it comes to alcohol
2. Most of the weddings I've been to within my circle:
a. Host full premium bar all night
b. Host beer, wine and soda
c. Host soda only - all other beverages are cash
3. To me, the bar is:
a. The most important part of the party
b. Necessary just to get people up and dancing after dinner
c. Something for people to enjoy if they choose to, but we could honestly have a great wedding without a bar
3. At the end of the night I want:
a. Everyone to stumble back to their rooms saying it was the best wedding EVER (even if they dont' remember most of it!)
b. My guests to have enjoyed themselves, but be ok to drive home (if they have to) and/or feel well enough to join us for brunch the next morning
c. Guests to congratulate us on having a beautiful wedding even without a hosted bar
If you answered mostly A's, you will want to host the bar all night. Ask your catering manager for an estimate early on so you make sure to budget for this, as it will be a large chunk of your overall expense.
If you answered mostly B's, you will probably feel comfortable hosting just beer, wine and soda. Draft beer (kegs) will be the more cost-effective way to go with the beer, obviously. You might also consider offering just one "signature" cocktail for those who want it. I had a bride a couple of years ago who hosted Mojitos in honor of her dad, as this was his favorite drink. It was a nice touch! She simply supplied me with tent cards to be placed at each bar to let guests know to ask for this hosted signature drink.
If you answered mostly C's, you will have more money leftover for chair covers, flowers and your honeymoon.
Of course there are variations on all these options, such as hosting the bar for just a few hours vs. the entire evening, or hosting liquor for just the members of the wedding party. Your catering manager will be able to offer suggestions and together you'll decide what works best for everyone.
Showing posts with label Food and Beverage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food and Beverage. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Vendor Meals
One of the questions we are repeatedly asked by brides is "What, if anything, should I feed my vendors?" To which I answer, "What do you want to feed them?" (That sounds really helpful, doesn't it?) Hence, this post to clear up some of the confusion...
First, let's identify who might need to eat: any vendor who is there with you the entire evening. Typically this is the photographer, the DJ and/or band and, if you have one, the videographer. I had a sweet bride ask me, "Are you a vendor?" Well, yes, but I am not on the list of people you need to worry about. Hayley and I are typically able to find something to eat along the way, usually just a Rolo and a cup of coffee, but something.
Second, look at the agreements you've signed with your vendor(s). Does it mention providing them with a meal? Does it specify a "hot" meal? Whether the agreement mentions meals or not, it's still a nice idea to feed them since they are putting in a long day with you and are such an important part of making your wedding day what you want it to be. So here are some options:
Option A: You can feed them the same meal as your guests are having. Here at The Abbey most couples are on a wedding package that might include bar service, champagne toast and a couple of courses. Decide what you want to give your vendors. They typically do not partake in the bar and sometimes they really only have time to eat the main course, so have your catering manager adjust the package price accordingly.
Option B: You can request a "boxed" meal for them. This is typically the most cost-effective way to feed them. If they will be seated at a table, we can always present it on a plate.
Which brings us to another question: where will they sit? Again, look for direction from your vendors for this. Some DJ's like to stay behind their equipment in case some technical glitch occurs. Some photographers/videographers also prefer to "eat on the run" so they don't miss anything you might want to have caught on camera (weddings are VERY unpredictable, you know!) Most bands I've seen do prefer to sit down for a meal so you will most likely want to provide a table for them, whether inside the room or in a seperate room that's close to the reception.
If you are feeding vendors inside the reception room, you can let your catering manager know in advance which table this is and he/she will direct the vendors accordingly. Placecards are unnecessary, but you will most likely want to provide the same linens/centerpieces/table numbers as you provide for any other table in the room.
I had a wedding here a couple of years ago and the groom was extremely detailed and attentive during our meetings. At one point he explained to me that his "strategy" to make sure his wedding day would be FLAWLESS was to make sure he treated his vendors (me included!) like GOLD! He had spent a lot of time meeting with prospective vendors and the ones he decided upon, he respected. And he treated them as such. Every one of the vendors who worked on that wedding remember it because it was one we all put our hearts and souls into, making sure everything was PERFECT. I think Marty would agree, it was!
First, let's identify who might need to eat: any vendor who is there with you the entire evening. Typically this is the photographer, the DJ and/or band and, if you have one, the videographer. I had a sweet bride ask me, "Are you a vendor?" Well, yes, but I am not on the list of people you need to worry about. Hayley and I are typically able to find something to eat along the way, usually just a Rolo and a cup of coffee, but something.
Second, look at the agreements you've signed with your vendor(s). Does it mention providing them with a meal? Does it specify a "hot" meal? Whether the agreement mentions meals or not, it's still a nice idea to feed them since they are putting in a long day with you and are such an important part of making your wedding day what you want it to be. So here are some options:
Option A: You can feed them the same meal as your guests are having. Here at The Abbey most couples are on a wedding package that might include bar service, champagne toast and a couple of courses. Decide what you want to give your vendors. They typically do not partake in the bar and sometimes they really only have time to eat the main course, so have your catering manager adjust the package price accordingly.
Option B: You can request a "boxed" meal for them. This is typically the most cost-effective way to feed them. If they will be seated at a table, we can always present it on a plate.
Which brings us to another question: where will they sit? Again, look for direction from your vendors for this. Some DJ's like to stay behind their equipment in case some technical glitch occurs. Some photographers/videographers also prefer to "eat on the run" so they don't miss anything you might want to have caught on camera (weddings are VERY unpredictable, you know!) Most bands I've seen do prefer to sit down for a meal so you will most likely want to provide a table for them, whether inside the room or in a seperate room that's close to the reception.
If you are feeding vendors inside the reception room, you can let your catering manager know in advance which table this is and he/she will direct the vendors accordingly. Placecards are unnecessary, but you will most likely want to provide the same linens/centerpieces/table numbers as you provide for any other table in the room.
I had a wedding here a couple of years ago and the groom was extremely detailed and attentive during our meetings. At one point he explained to me that his "strategy" to make sure his wedding day would be FLAWLESS was to make sure he treated his vendors (me included!) like GOLD! He had spent a lot of time meeting with prospective vendors and the ones he decided upon, he respected. And he treated them as such. Every one of the vendors who worked on that wedding remember it because it was one we all put our hearts and souls into, making sure everything was PERFECT. I think Marty would agree, it was!
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