Here are
all the basics you’ll need to know if your reception has
alcohol served...
You will have a
variety of guests there from those that “don’t touch
the stuff” to those whose main objective at weddings
is use up all the free alcohol they can.
You’ll want to be
clear when making your alcohol choices for the
reception who you’re going to cater to more and,
most importantly, what you and your family wants to
spend.
Consider first, how
many drinks will fit into your event and the factors
involved. For example if your wedding is in a
different location than the reception, no drinking
will occur until at least the reception begins. |
|
|
If you are
in the same location, consider that your guests may begin
celebrating as soon as they get through the receiving line.
Also consider the number of guests you will have attending
and have approximately one alcohol server per 50 guests,
adjusted accordingly to a family who drinks more or less.
A good
estimation is count two drinks per guest for the first hour
and one per guest each additional hour. You’ll have some
drinking more and some less, but it evens out throughout the
night.
You can serve your guests with separate bars or all servers
working behind the same counter, just insure they have
enough room to serve your guests effectively. Another option
to consider to start the night out slowly is before the
bar(s) are ever opened, have the servers just circling the
room with trays of champagne, sparkling wines, and/or
sparkling waters.
If you have
200 people, logistically one server should be constantly
filling glasses and the other three should be making there
way around the room in three distinct zones to cover all
areas, returning only to get re-stocked with full glasses.
Again, look at your budget carefully when choosing your
service. If you choose “By The Bottle” service you are still
paying for every bottle opened, even if none of it was
poured. For open bars, know as “By Consumption”, the
bartender keeps track of orders and charges by drink.
The host
pays the tab at the end of the reception (typically $5 to
$10 per drink). One unique method appropriate for heavier
drinkers is the “Flat-Fee Per Person” which is one set
per-person bar fee that doesn’t depend on how many your
guest consumes (usually $20 to $30 per guest).
Or you may
choose to offer a “Standard Drink Menu” which is often the
most affordable and the most universal. It will provide you
with one “house” brand of vodka, scotch, gin, whisky,
bourbon, rum and tequila as well at the domestic beers,
wine, soft drinks and mixers.
|
|
At
lengthier receptions, more toasts and a
more extensive menu adds to your costs.
Consider having one wine with your meal
rather than one for each course.
This can
often significantly reduce costs.
Also
consider your region. If there is a
specialty drink for the area, you may
want to make that available.
Or
if you as a couple have “your drink” like a
signature drink, it is fun to have that be around
for people to really get in your personal
celebration.
|
Think also
if you’re willing to pay for hard liquor
or not and work this out with the bar
specifically.
Occasionally you will come across a
“sneaky” bar service that provides a
beer-and-wine-only-bar (free to guests
and paid for by the wedding party) but
offer hard alcohol at a price and charge
you at the end, rather than charging
guests as they order.
You will
only save money if your guests are paying for their own hard
liquor drinks. If you are providing a full bar, you can
still save by requesting less expensive brands be served
except for martinis or on-the-rocks drinks, your guests will
become particular here.
Instruct your servers explicitly as to what you want. Tell
them to always insure that people are done with their drinks
or long gone before collecting half-full glassware. You can
end up spending a bundle on unnecessary refills. But avoid
closing the bar early to save money, this is considered
tacky. If your main concern is people driving intoxicated,
simply switch to a coffee bar or juice bar for the last
hour.
Toasting!
Now you’ve got the
alcohol, let’s drink to the bride and groom!
This first toast is to the Bride & Groom and
will normally be proposed by the father of the
bride or an old friend of the family. The brides
father will say a few words about his daughter;
possibly sharing a short story with the guests.
He may also pay tribute to his new son. At the
end of his speech, he asks all the guests to
raise their glasses, and proposes a toast to the
bride and groom.
The second toast is proposed by the
groom who will thank both sets of parents, in
particular the bride’s parents for their
beautiful daughter, after thanking the bride's
father and making his speech. He also thanks the
best man for his help and support; and all the
guests for attending. At the end of the speech,
he proposes a toast to the bridesmaids and their
health.
|
The third
toast is proposed by the best man who
will respond on behalf of the
bridesmaids and conclude by proposing
the health of the parents of the bride
and groom, saying a few words about the
groom and paying a compliment to the
bride.
At the end
of the speech, he may read any messages
from guests who were unable to attend.
Any toasts after that are welcome and
voluntary.
It is
best to choose a location, DJ or band
who can provide you with a “toasting
microphone” that may be passed around so
that everyone may be heard.
|
|
|
Some people are
shy or timid when it comes to public speaking so
you may give them some of the following tips.
-
keep it brief:
no body likes a rambling story
-
speak loudly
and clearly enough for everyone to hear: if
you have a “toasting microphone” you won’t
need to worry about this
-
avoid harsh
language, raunchy jokes, stories about exes,
or any marital troubles you’ve seen or
foresee: you may think it’s cute but a
wedding is a formal affair and this
conversation is inappropriate
If your loving
family is still unsure where to start, offer
them the following ideas:
-
Say a few kind
words on why the couple is so great together
-
Talk about how
you are looking forward to friendships with
both bride and groom
-
talk about how
you know the couple
-
use a famous
quote or poem known or very relevant to the
couple
-
tell why the
couple is a special part of your life
-
share a few
anecdotes about your experiences with the
bride or groom: funny situations,
travel experiences or “escapades”
-
tell guests
how the bride and groom met, especially if
you were involved with their meeting
Practice Makes Perfect
Once
they’ve written their toast, have them practice
it so they are comfortable saying it to
themselves. Memorizing it is optimal but note
cards are acceptable. You may even tell them to
write it down for a keepsake in your scrapbook.
|
