story by Tia Troy
Every bride wants her wedding to be special. From the wedding dress to the flowers and the cocktail hour to the photos, each bride puts her own spin on creating a special day that will be remembered not only by the couple, but also by their guests.
According to the 2011 BRIDES Magazine American Wedding Study, the average cost of a wedding is $26,501, a cost that has decreased slightly from $28,082 in 2009. Many elements add to the cost of the wedding, including dresses, tuxes, flowers, venue rental, invitations and catering costs. In addition, 92 percent of weddings have some type of bar or toast as part of the celebration.
But thanks to a new trend that’s staking its claim in the wedding industry, it’s easier to help control certain aspects of reception costs: signature drinks.
“A signature drink can help bring down the cost if the couple is willing to make a few sacrifices,” said Scott MacIntyre, one of the owners of Missoula’s Badlander.
Signature drinks have been taking the wedding market by storm over the last few years, with a major growth in popularity over the last year, according to Ginny Horning at All Events Catering.
MacIntyre tends to agree.
“Signature drinks are becoming more popular because the ingredients used to make them are becoming more popular,” he said. “Twenty years ago no one ever used pomegranate juice or cucumbers to make a martini and now those ingredients are used everywhere.”
According to MacIntyre, who has 20 years of experience creating drinks, there are two easy steps that can help keep costs down: have a signature drink that doesn’t require expensive ingredients; and have a drink that can be mass produced by the bar, like champagne and orange juice or large quantities of margaritas.
Signature drinks should reflect the bride’s and groom’s desires, needs and budgets and should be unique to them as a couple, said Horning.
“It is the most important day in their lives, so it should be just what they want, not what the caterer wants to provide for them,” said Horning. “There are many creative ways to accommodate these desires and needs and still work within their budget guidelines.”
Katherine (Katie) Larkin-Wong and her husband Jonathan (Jono) Wong, who were recently married at The Keep in Missoula, incorporated some of their favorite things into the signature cocktails they served at their wedding reception.
“Jono loves James Bond,” said Larkin-Wong. “Therefore we had a 007 Martini.”
The Larkin-Wong wedding also worked with their wedding location to create a signature drink for the bride.
“I love margaritas so Neil at The Keep helped me create a new drink called ‘The Blushing Bride,’ which was a pink margarita,” she added.
One of the keys to making signature drinks your own is to consider the colors, theme, food and flavor desires of the couple, as well as the time of year the wedding is taking place.
For a fall or winter wedding, consider ingredients that may be in flavor like apples or cranberries. And if you’re exchanging vows in the summer, try incorporating fresh flavors like mint and in-season fruits like strawberries and raspberries. To capture a distinct Montana flavor, try showcasing huckleberry in a martini or blended cocktail.
“Most often a signature drink will be a highlight by giving guests something new to taste, discuss and remember,” said Horning.
It’s also important to tie the drink in with the theme of the wedding.
“The garnish can tie together the drink and the wedding,” added Horning. “A cowboy boot pick can be used for a western-themed wedding or a snowflake pick with cranberries for a Christmas wedding.”
Another element to consider is providing an adult beverage, as well as a non-alcoholic beverage option to help suit the diverse ages and preferences of your guests.
“Don’t forget the kids,” said Horning. “Even if the signature drink has alcohol, a virgin drink will be very popular among the kids.”
Signature drinks can help control costs, while in other instances a couple may choose to add more elaborate touches to their drinks.
“Cost actually is a major factor in determining a signature drink,” said MacIntyre. “There are weddings that want the cheapest drink out there and there are weddings with martinis that have olives imported from Italy.”
With these types of drinks created just for a bride and groom’s special day, the signature cocktail could take the place of the full bar and be combined with beer and wine, while in other cases it could accompany a full host bar and be the only blended or special drink available, said Horning.
“It is important to take these items from “usual” to “wow,” making their event special and unique and not something anyone could make at home,” she added. “The options are endless and with a little brainstorming, can add the extra pizzazz that every wedding deserves.
And MacIntyre, who has created hundreds of drinks over the last two decades, agrees.
“Signature drinks add uniqueness and flair to a wedding,” he said. “Having a signature drink helps add to making the night memorable.”
And for a bride and groom, that sounds like the perfect cocktail to help set their wedding apart.