Forget getting the happy couple a new toaster.
Get them the tools they need to make a proper toast!
Plan a Stock-The-Bar Shower
Want a modern twist on the classic wedding shower? Why not try a Stock the Bar Party. It's a great way to include couples in the pre-wedding festivities and it will make entertaining fun and easy for the newlyweds. Bonus: you'll get to enjoy those future parties as their guest.
Couples can register for specific items or the party host can offer suggestions to guests based on a theme. One idea is to divide your guests into four groups with each assigned to a certain type of gift based on that classic wedding phrase...
Something Old
Older wine vintages (say the year the couple met), ingredients for a classic cocktail or aged whiskeys and bourbons.
Clark’s Picks:
- 20 Year Old Taylor Fladgate Port
- 2009 Moet Chandon Vintage
Something New
Unique and trendy items, the latest pre-mixed cocktails or craft beer.
Clark’s Picks:
- Spigelau Beer Cannoisseur
- 1000 Stories Bourbon Barrel Aged Zinfandel
Something Borrowed
Beverages that "borrow" their taste from something else such as flavored vodkas or wine blends.
Clark’s Picks:
- Iron Horse Wedding Cuvee Sparkling Wine – 78% Pinot Noir, with its expressive berry fruit flavor, borrows added borrows 22% Chardonnay to add expressive freshness and acidity to the blend
Something Blue
Cold and icy items like vodka or frozen drink mixes or silver bar tools.
Clark’s Picks:
- Johnnie Walker Blue Label Scotch
- Chimay Blue Belgium Dark Ale
“O” is for Open Bar
So you want to have an open bar at your reception. Here are some money saving tips:
- Make selections that are not the nationally-recognized brand names. For example, some of the most popular imported vodka brands can cost two to three times as much as lesser known quality brands.
- Make selections that are not “age specific.” Scotch, Bourbon and Irish whiskeys that are aged for 12 – 30 years are naturally going to be expensive. Choose Scotch Blends, and Bourbons and Irish whiskeys that carry no age statement.
- Purchase the 1.75 Liter size. In virtually every case, the cost per ounce will be considerably cheaper.
- Offer only the basic bar set up. It is impossible to have everyone’s favorite. Usually, a Bourbon, Scotch, Vodka, Gin and Rum will meet requests of the large majority of guests.
- Make sure bartenders know to open only one bottle per bar at a time. Most stores will allow the return of unopened bottles for credit. You don’t want to end up with a lot of opened bottles.
Tip:
If you ARE brand conscious, think about using well marked decanters to pour from. They look much nicer, are easier for bartenders to handle, and add a touch of elegance.
Wedding Cake Martini
- 1 part wedding cake vodka – Pinnacle recommended
- 1/2 part white vermouth – Cinzano White recommended
- vanilla cake frosting
- coconut*
In shaker, pour vodka and vermouth over ice. Shake well and set aside. Add warm water to frosting to thin and pour into a bowl or plate. In a second plate, pour coconut. Rim glass with frosting, then with coconut. Strain martini from shaker into the rimmed glass.
For larger quantities: Pour 1 part vodka and 1/2 part vermouth in pitcher over ice, stir vigorously, and serve.
• Variation: Use colorful cake sprinkles in place of coconut.
The Blushing Bachelorette Martini
- 1 oz. peach Schnapps
- 1 oz. grenadine
- 4 oz. Champagne
Pour the peach Schnapps and grenadine into a Champagne flute.
Top with Champagne
The Grinning Groom Martini
- 2 parts ROXOR Gin
- 1 part St Germain
- ½ part fresh squeezed lime juice
Fill shaker with ice. Add all ingredients over ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into chilled Martini glass. Garnish with lime twist.