FLOWERS 49 PLANNING SOS DRINK IT ALL IN Nicola from Nickynoo Quirky Mobile Bars (www.nickynoo.co.uk) shares with us why you should hire a mobile bar for your big day and how to find the perfect supplier. There are a lot of ‘do it yourself venues’ that give you the freedom to bring in any suppliers you like; however, it’s always best to check with your venue what they will allow. If you've chosen a dry-hire venue, you can use your own suppliers; however, there may be a corkage charge, so it’s always best to check. Once you’ve found your perfect venue and checked that you can bring in a mobile bar supplier, you then need to find one. This can be from a simple Google search to bring up suppliers in your area, or you can use a weddings and events search site where you put in the details and they will contact you with a quote. It’s always good to check reviews as well. Before booking, you need to take a look at the selection of drinks on offer. Mobile bars can vary greatly, from a trestle table and some cans of beer to a fully stocked bar with a wide selection of drinks, drafts, and cocktails. It’s also worth checking the prices at the bar for your guests. A good company will have a range of drinks, from standard to premium, at prices to suit everyone, and it’s always worth asking if they’ll stock your favourite tipple if you can’t see it on the menu. The bar can often be one of the last things on the list to book; however, it’s a good idea not to leave it too late, especially if your wedding is in the popular summer months when suppliers are at their busiest with weddings and festivals. Some suppliers, like ourselves, may have a selection of bars to choose from, but they can still become fully booked pretty quickly. You may decide you’d like to supply some of the drinks yourself, such as table wine, to keep costs down. However, if you’re thinking of providing your own drinks, you need to consider the logistics, such as how much to supply. A professional mobile bar company should have lots of experience and will be able to gauge the right number of drinks you will need. You will also need to check if your bar supplier charges a corkage charge and think about getting the drinks to the venue and keeping them at the correct temperature. Who will serve the drinks, but more importantly, who will clear them away afterwards? If you don’t have anyone to do this, tables can quickly become full of dirty glasses, spoiling your carefully chosen centrepieces. This is where a professional company is worth considering, as they will take away the worry of all of these issues. However, I would always suggest providing them with a brief order of the day so they are aware at what point in time you would like things done, i.e., welcome drinks arrival time, approximate time of the wedding breakfast for the table wine, and if the toast drinks are to be placed on the tables before guests sit down or poured at the table for the speeches. Most companies will have a selection of packages to suit different budgets, from welcome drinks to all-inclusive bars. However, don’t be afraid to ask if you can substitute drinks, add on things if there’s something you would really like, or create a bespoke package; they can only say no. At Nickynoo Quirky Mobile Bars, we often adopt our packages and have provided beers and ales from local breweries, drink tokens, subsidised bars, personalised cocktails, jugs of soft drinks for children, pimp your own gin or prosecco stations, or created a completely bespoke package. If you’re on a budget, it’s worth reading the terms and conditions. Many mobile bars will charge a booking fee but will then return it if you hit a minimum spend, or they may charge you extra if you don’t reach a certain spend. You also need to find out if your venue has an alcohol license and if they’ll let your bar use it. If not, someone will need to apply for a Temporary Events Notice, so it’s worth asking whose responsibility it is and if your bar supplier will charge you for applying. There are lots of mobile bar companies out there, so shop around to find the one best suited to you. Adam Walker Photography The Twins
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