This is a guest blog article from Emily Pinner of Beverage BFF – we used her services to help determine how much alcohol we will need for our daughter’s wedding. Emily was so fun and very helpful!
Planning a wedding, party, fundraiser, or any type of group event can be a daunting undertaking. Some people love it. For others, it can be an anxiety-inducing nightmare. And I’ve heard there are actual living humans who just find it tedious and useless. Whatever category you find yourself in, an event planner, or at the very least planning advice, can be an invaluable resource.
So, what are the things that come to mind when planning a party? Food, booze, and music/entertainment are typically among the top. Funny how they are also the components that the guests will remember! Now, I will be the first to say that as a former “party girl”, I don’t recall everything – EXCEPT – that I had a fantastic time. And of course, part of the recall was some good drinks and great bartenders.
Now listen, in my fondest of memories, I didn’t know exactly what brand of vodka was being served. Nor do I remember if a beer was in a can or a bottle. Did it matter if the price of the wine was acceptable to MY standard? HARD NOPE. What comes to mind, is that there was booze, it was plentiful, and it was free. At least to me. Ok, duh, this stuff is absolutely not free. Someone is paying and it’s going to be YOU. That said, let’s make it the most fun, most stress-free, most efficient (economical), and most importantly, the most memorable day for you and your guests.
What’s the next step? Listen to professional advice. When it comes to bar/beverage planning, it’s never a “one size fits all”. There are so many variables that need to be considered when supplying alcohol. Actually, too many to list because your personal scenario will be completely different than what your sister chose to do at her wedding.
Some of the big issues that hosts tend to forget to think about are — Time of day. Time of year. Close to a holiday? Climate/weather. Theme. Location. Personal/religious beliefs. I literally could go on and on. But, my personal favorite is, ‘kegs vs bottles/cans’. Please visit my website for the full scoop on this often-misunderstood component of party planning. From bartending to planning my own wedding to managing a large, fine wine and spirits retail shop, I’ve pretty much got the bases covered. I have looked through the lens of a planner, manager, fundraiser, bartender, and bride. So, you can stop the hand wringing over how to approach the bar portion of the party and let me help you navigate the waters. It’s your party and it will be fun.
The Beverage BFF can help you make it unforgettable!
Xoxo, Emily
For more wedding coordination tips and tricks, contact me at Events by Lexi!
Featured image by Scott Cech Studio.
