What's Your Signature?

One aspect of your wedding that could become costly are your beverages, specifically your alcoholic ones. There have been mixed thoughts on if you should have an open bar or if you have a cash bar. Most will say having a cash bar is a big "no-no". If you tend to agree and want to offer free cocktails for your guests there is a way to do that without busting your reception budget. Trying to stock up a bar can get quite pricey so instead of offering all the possible combinations, why not considering serving a couple of signature drinks instead? You can easily pair them with a simple beer and wine service and save on cost.

This is something that is becoming more popular for weddings as well as other events. One might ask "What makes it signature?" The drinks that you choose are reflective of who you are as a couple. You can pick drinks that when people have them they are something that could see the two of you drinking. The nice part about it is that your signatures do not have to be an alcoholic beverage if you don't want them to be.

When thinking of how to pick your signature, there are a few ways you can go with it. One way is to pick a signature that goes with your color scheme. You can make a drink a variety of colors these days by mixing the right things together. Maybe you have decided to go with a tiffany blue color palette, choose a beverage that not only tastes good, but will also display the blue you're looking for. Maybe you have the tropics in mind, pick something that displays the colors of an island get away.

This is your opportunity to be creative both with the look and the taste, and it also gives whoever will be tending your bar a chance to use their creative skills in making something perfect for you.

Another option could be selecting a His & Hers combo. Women tend to like their drinks to be on the fruity side, and most men aren't down for that. So, in order to make you both happy. Choose a drink that will make him and the fellas happy and one that will satisfy the palette of the ladies in attendance. Perhaps bourbon is more his speed and you're move of a vodka or gin type girl. You both can get what you want.

Here's a couple of ideas that might work:
For Her try a Pomegranate Martini and for Him he might like a classic Rob Roy



Now if alcoholic beverages are not your thing, have fun creating some fun and fruity ones. These would be great for any kiddos that might be attending your event. These would be your signature "mocktails" to add some flavor to your celebration. You can still dress them up in a champagne flute or martini class.

Whatever you decide to do, have fun with it. Pick a day for you and your significant other to go do a drink tasting with the bartenders you choose for your day. Maybe you can incorporate it with your dinner tasting if your catering and bar service are being provided by the same company.  Focusing on serving a couple of drinks can save you some money and your guests will still have fun with some refreshing choices.

A Bar Without Liquor...Say What?

When deciding to have a bar at your wedding, most people think in the traditional sense of beer, wine, mixed drinks, if you want to offer them, and a possible signature drink (see our post on those HERE). What some couples don't realize is that there are other types of bars that you can have at your reception. Below are some ideas for other bars you can have and they are all pretty sweet.

The Candy Bar

This bar is the most popular one of the bunch. With this one, you can be as creative as you want to be. Maybe you want your candy to reflect your wedding colors, or maybe you want to take people on a trip from the past and have the candy that you grew up on and loved as a child or you can just have one big chocolate fest. Couples will use this bar as part of their cocktail hour or they can have people wait and have it with their cake and during the dance party. The set up for this is super easy and be really cost effective if you look for sale items and order wholesale.

S'mores Bar

This one could be quite fun. You can make this as big or as small as you would like. The main question I'm sure is, how would you roast the marshmallows? So glad you asked and the answer is to get you a pack of Sterno burners and problem solved. Those are the silver containers that you usually see when you go to an event and they have a buffet line. You will want to get the gel ones because they provide a bigger flame.

With these babies, you can have your very own indoor campfire. You can position them and add some decoration to the area where you place them. Then you get your graham crackers and bars of chocolate.

Popcorn Bar

No who doesn't need a little popcorn in your life? This one can be pretty easy to set up just like with the candy bar. The setup would basically be the same and again, could be really cost effective. With a popcorn bar, you can pick so many flavors that you can share with your guests. You can do that famous Garrett's Chicago mix, for find you some that has a little chocolate on it.

The Mini Food Bar

Now this one isn't a part of the sweet variety. It can be safe to say that your wedding reception is going to be filled with fun, dancing and just a great big party for about 4 hours. After all of this, you may want to offer your guests a little to go snack so these may be what you need. Your guests would be surprised to go to the back of the room and see little sliders or little things of tomato soup and grilled cheese as they are walking out the door. You can add a little spin to your event and feed a little after party hunger.

Hopefully, we have given you some ideas as to different ways that you can make your reception fit your personalities. You don't always have to go with traditional things and you can step it up and provide something that people will remember about your special day.