Inspire Hire (Venetia Norrington)
It's easy to let the beverages slip toward the bottom of the ever-expanding list of wedding to-dos. But choosing and buying your wedding drinks is actually one of the more fun tasks, as it gives you the chance to immerse yourselves in the party aspect of the day (not forgetting, most companies offer personal sampling sessions and consultations, so you can kick back and take advantage of some serious taste testing, too).
We've delved into the world of wedding drinks to showcase the best suppliers of all things drinkable, how to source and choose your tipples and what works when it comes to time, menus and venue.
Inspire Hire (Venetia Norrington)
SOURCE CODE
You may already have a supplier in mind, so the first things you need to consider are: what you like; what your guests will like; including a few choices, plus non-alcoholic alternatives; decide how much you'll need; and fix a budget.
It's important to strike a realistic balance between what you want and what you can afford - these limits will form the type of supplier you eventually select.
"Before anything, decide how much wine to buy," advises Yannick Loue, wine expert and owner of Le Vignoble (levignoble.co.uk). "There's Option A - the basics you can get away with: one glass for the reception drink, one glass with the meal, one glass for the toast. Option B - giving a little extra: two glasses for the reception drink, half a bottle with the main meal, one glass for the toast; and Option C - no limit: two glasses for the reception drink with open bar, one glass per course with the main meal, one glass for the toast followed by an open bar."
Discuss your options with several suppliers and find out which packages and services they can offer that best suit your requirements.
"The most cost-effective solution is buying the wine straight from the vineyard," says Yannick. "This will limit your choices and can create logistic problems, but if you have a vineyard nearby, it can be an ideal solution."
"Or go to your local wine merchant. You may think wine from here will be more expensive than the supermarket, but you might be wrong. They control their own prices, can give flexible discounts, can recommend you the wines that are best value for money and, like us here at Le Vignoble, are able to offer personalised delivery to your venue, can chill the wine and offer sale and return, too. We are also able to deliver at short notice for local weekend weddings."
Inspire Hire (Ashley Taylor Barnes)
DELICIOUS DECISIONS
"When choosing your wine, don't be afraid to ask for advice, and try many wines before you make your final decision," advises Yannick. "When customers come to us looking to buy wines for their wedding, we always sit down for an evening tasting and discuss the different options with the bride, groom and family."
There's more to think about than simply what you like and can afford, though, as Yannick explains: "Identify the wines that you and your family like, any wines that have sentimental meaning, and countries that you made memories in."
"And be careful of the season. In the summer go for lighter styles and low alcohol, as you don't want your guests getting dehydrated and drunk. Some light reds are lovely chilled, which could be exactly what your 'red only' guests want. In the winter, go for more full-bodied, warming styles."
PERFECT PAIRINGS
As well as people, budget and season, it's also important to pair your drinks with the venue and food, as Yannick elaborates: "For a DIY wedding, let people help themselves and go for barrels and big bottles - this will entertain your guests and keep them happy for longer. If you're worried about serving wine and the quantities, talk to your local wine merchant. We are always happy to be present on the big day to take care of the wine, making sure everyone's glass is full and nothing runs out."
"And make sure the wine or food don't overpower each other," he adds. "Go with the wine and food that you like but ensure they complement each other, too."
Talk to your drinks suppliers as well as your caterers to get an idea of how best to pair the two. Yannick explains: "With so many guests and tastes to please, I advise choosing a wine with a mid range of flavours as this is more likely to please most people. Don't choose a wine that is too dry, as this will make your guests thirsty."
"If you can take wines to your menu tasting then do so, as you can then see how the flavours of the wine and food balance and complement each other."
When it comes to your venue, think about the space and set-up: does it have its own bar? Could you add your own drinks station or mobile bar? For festival-style weddings you could even create your own drinks tent.
Then there's each section of the day: how long it will last and where it will take place. For example, your drinks reception may commence immediately after the ceremony while the wedding breakfast or evening reception could be a couple of hours away.
Inspire Hire (Venetia Norrington)
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Where and when you sink a glass or two plays a key role in both the atmosphere of your event and the behaviour of your guests. You don't want to ply them with neat spirits as soon as the ceremony is over, as everyone knows drinking heavily on an empty stomach either results in peaking-too-early syndrome or - worst-case scenario - a sea of too-drunk people and a party halted in its tracks.
Similarly, an overly timid drinks reception will slow the celebrations down and may not be conducive to an upbeat evening do. So considering what to serve, how much, and when is another fundamental question.
The drinks reception
"Pimm's on arrival is a good, easy-going drink that people can ease themselves into the day with," suggests Marco Amura of Cornish Mobile Bar Co (cornishmobilebarco.co.uk). "As it has a slightly lower ABV than many spirits, Pimm's will not get your guests drunk before the meal."
"Or you can't fault a good G&T at a wedding," he adds. "Done correctly with either Tarquin's, Plymouth, or good old-fashioned Gordon's; use plenty of ice and a squeeze of lime followed by a run around the rim of the glass with the squeezed lime."
Champagne or sparkling? "It all depends on the budget, but all your guests will be grateful of a glass of anything bubbly after the ceremony or drive to the venue," says Yannick. "Kir Royale or Kir white wine with a choice of different flavours is always a great hit to spice up a cheaper sparkling. We serve the traditional cr�me de cassis, cherry, raspberry, strawberry and peach: all quality French liqueurs."
The wedding breakfast
By this stage of proceedings, many guests will have already chosen their favourite drink and will be happy sipping something from the drinks reception or bar, while others will opt to tuck into the table wine and toast.
"Keep everything else in mind, but choose your wine to suit your menu," suggests Yannick. "And don't be scared to treat your top table and choose something different for the rest of the party."
Emma Solley
The evening do
The hair is down, dancing shoes on and top buttons unfastened as the party revs up a gear.
"Anything goes for the evening," affirms Marco. "I always bring a huge selection of spirits. A good wedding typically ends in a J�ger Bomb flurry!"
"Our barrels of wine from the Languedoc are perfect for evening receptions, they come in white, red and rose, and are very reasonably priced," says Yannick. "Keep the empty barrels for your home or to keep your wedding keepsakes in."
The endnote to the day is the chance to bring out the big guns and spoil your guests with something a bit different, or showstopping. Hire a mixologist and/or cocktail bar serving signature wedding concoctions; set up a coffee station complete with complementary liqueurs; circulate trays of dessert wines; or create an after-dinner gentlemen's-style corner stocked with the best brandy, whiskey, cognac, scotch, bourbon and port.
Lucy Turnbull
THE PRODUCERS
Bring a local flavour to your do with these tipples from Cornwall's movers and shakers...
Fowey Valley Cider
Fowey Valley Sparkling Vintage Cider 2012 makes a delicious addition to any event. Using apples fresh from the orchard in Golant near Fowey, this crisp, superior tasting cider is produced using traditional methods combined with lots of loving care and attention. Made minus sulphites or preservatives, a large amount of quality dessert apples are used for a top 'methode traditionelle' taste.
www.foweyvalleycider.co.uk
Luscious Lucy
Creating an artisan range of products and wild edibles using as many organic, local and free-trade ingredients as possible, Luscious Lucy's handcrafted delights are as high quality as they are tantalisingly tasty. The Cornish hedgerow flower syrups and cordials can be added to cocktails, champagne, Prosecco or cava - or used as a non-alcoholic sparkling alternative - and can be found in an array of fabulous flavours including Wild Rose Petal Syrup, Elderberry Elixir, Lovely Lemon Balm, Fresh Elderflower Cordial and Rose Hip Syrup. The infused spirits can be used for bespoke cocktails or served as an after-dinner dessert liqueur. "People seem to find the flavours so special that they enjoy the sipping and savouring quality, which lends a luxurious touch to the end of a meal," says Lucy.
www.lusciouslucycornwall.com
Polgoon
Situated on the sun-drenched, south-facing slopes in Cornwall's far west just outside Penzance, Polgoon produces a spectacular array of artisan wines, ciders and fruit juices. From their sparkling selection including Sparkling Aval Raspberry, Polgoon Sparkling Aval and Cornish Sparkling Elderflower Wine, to their collection of ciders (think pear, berry, mulled, black and raspberry), and range of wines such as 2014 Rondo & Pinot Noir Red, 2014 Ortega & Seyval Blanc, and 2014 Bacchus, this family-run orchard offers some seriously lip-smacking treats. And the kids will go crazy for their recently rebranded juice and soft drink range comprising lemonade, sparkling elderflower presse, apple juice, and apple and raspberry juice.
www.polgoon.co.uk
Cornish Orchards
Handmade in Duloe, Cornish Orchards' selection of sparkling fruit juices and presses, ciders and ginger beer make for refreshing and delicious tipples for a reception. Cider lovers will savour the likes of fruity berry-rich Blush Cider, crisp Pear Cider and award-winning Farmhouse Cider. Meanwhile, their palate-pleasing soft drinks such as lemonade, rhubarb & vanilla sparkle, apple juice, cranberry & raspberry sparkle, and elderflower presse are superb options for alchohol-free guests and children.
www.cornishorchards.co.uk
RAISING THE BAR
Styling expert Elle Winsor-Grime from Inspire Hire shares her tips for sprucing up your venue's watering hole, be it a drinks station, vintage trolley or traditional bar
DIY drinks
A self-service drinks station can be an alternative solution to serving drinks at your reception. It also makes a focal point for some fun styling. We often create a bespoke drinks station for couples featuring drinks dispensers, vintage-style milk bottles or jam jars and stripy straws, and vintage galvanised bathtubs for ice. Self-service soft drinks can be fun for the kids, and also takes the pressure off the bar - especially good on a hot summer's day!
Practicalities: What you choose to fill our dispensers with is down to you but we've seen Pimm's, mojitos, personalised cocktails, and even chocolate milk! When planning a drinks station, don't forget the practicalities - how many guests you will have, how many glasses you will require and the volume of drinks you will want. Be sure to tell your caterer or bar team what you're planning as they will need to keep an eye on the drinks station, especially if the guests are helping themselves.
Andrea Pennington
Bar necessities
Gone are the days of a trestle table covered with a plain white tablecloth. The bar is very much part of the decor of your wedding. We offer various styles of bar to hire - how about a rustic whitewashed wooden bar with a zinc top, or a bar made from old wine barrels? Style your bar as you would do any other area of your marquee or venue - think about flowers, signs or fun accessories.
Ashley Taylor Barnes
Cocktail hour
Cocktail bars are increasingly popular at weddings. Hire a mixologist to create signature cocktails for your guests, or how about a gin bar with lots of different infusions to top up your tonic?
Practicalities: Think about how many staff you'll need to serve your guests efficiently - there's nothing worse than a queue for the bar! Who is going to run your bar? Will you hire a company or will you ask your catering team to man a free bar stocked by yourselves? Always ask the experts if you're stocking your own bar; your catering team should be able to recommend the correct quantities of drink for your party. Get enough glasses, too - one per person will not be enough!
Venetia Norrington
Trolley dolly
Drinks trolleys and carts is a huge trend for 2016 weddings as they are a stylish and fun addition to your wedding decor and can provide a great focal point. How about using a drinks trolley as a quirky escort card table? Fill your cart with miniature bottles of spirits marked with a tag noting each guest's name and table number. Or use your drinks trolley as part of your decor to display props or a feature drink such as a special local gin.
Practicalities: Think size. Cocktail trolleys are not huge, so if you wish to serve all your guests go for something that's served in small amounts, like port, or utilise a collection of trolleys to display your drinks selection. Alternatively, just use your trolley to display your bar menu with a sign pointing your guests in the direction of the main event.
www.inspire-hire.co.uk
words Hannah May
Copyright Wed magazine 2015
.jpg)
