An Essex Wedding - Page number 93 - September/October 2021 (Issue 100)

THE big BREAKFAST Choosing your catering and refreshments W hen planing a wedding, plenty of time goes in to choosing the theme and colour scheme, the invites and flowers, and of course the dress! However, what the guests will look forward to, enjoy on the day and remember long after the event itself is... the food! Yes, the way to please your guests is to ensure they have plenty to indulge in, a tipple (or two) and everyone will be merry on their way to the dancefloor with full bellies. Here’s three aspects of the big-day breakfast to put your personal twist on! ARE YOU BEING SERVED! After the ‘I dos’, the first thing the guests experience when arriving at your reception venue is the ‘welcome drink’. Traditionalists among you will perhaps opt for some bubbles, but with the ‘bespoke cocktail’ trend set to stay in to 2022 and beyond, why not welcome loved ones and set the tone for the reception with a personalised cocktail? Whether you pop a twist on a classic name such as a ‘PaulChar Martini’ (be handy if your names were Paul and Charlotte) or you worked with a mixologist to create your very own drink, it’s a great way to add a personal twist on proceedings. To really go to town, why not colour-coordinate your cocktail with your colour scheme? For the non-alcoholics, you don’t want to make them feel like one of the kids with a soft drink and a colourful straw, so make sure you have grown-up alternatives. Mocktails ‘virgin’ cocktails can look as funky as their alcohol counterparts so ask your bar team to create few options that will look just as fancy but for those that are teetotal. Finally, when planning seasonal nuptials, hot chocolate and mulled wine make great festive beverage options! Check out... TAPP’D COCKTAILS Launched in 2019 Tapp’d Cocktails, a family run Essex- based company, has taken the UK by storm with perfectly blended ready to drink cocktails that are handcrafted and served within seconds. Sourcing the finest ingredients including real fruit, ethically sourced coffee and award-winning spirits, the company delivers exceptional quality and a perfect pour every time. Gluten free, vegan, and free from any artificial flavours and preservatives, options include: Cosmos, Pornstar Martini, Piña Colada, Espresso Martini and Mojito to name but a few. Visit www.tappdcocktails.com GO RETRO Shots! Now, we can all remember a bad night (or two), having had shots back in the day; but these little, short, sharp hits are making a comeback as couples are looking to have one big party after non-existent weddings over the last 18months. There are fancier alternatives out there nowadays, and what better time to knock one back and start the party then after the speeches and raise the ultimate toast! One, two, three go! RAISING THE BAR Food stations hit the wedding scene a couple of years ago, and the new must- have is a drinks bar! ‘Pimp your prosseco’ or ‘Seven deadly gins’ are fun themes where you can have your favourite tipple along with different mixers, fruit, colourings and so on for guests to create their own drink and have fun at the same time. Again, for those that like to keep a clear head, you can opt for coffee bars (watch out for these in 2022) and for kids and adults alike, a ‘milkshake shack’ will go down a treat. If you have a static bar in your wedding reception venue, consider hiring professional bartenders with ‘flair’ skills; come the evening party, their behind the bar antics will keep the mood going! Tip: opt for paper straws and look for alternatives to plastic cups – try reusable ones that guests could even keep and take home after the big day as a memento. CATERING 93