When we ask couples what their priorities are for their wedding, the #1 answer is “good food, good drinks!” We 100% agree that good food and drinks are WEDDING MUSTS, but what exactly does that mean? In this week’s episode, we get a little tipsy with Chad McDonald, owner of Stir Beverage. He goes into detail about how to elevate your wedding day bar, from the actual cocktails to the staffing to the tiny little details. Your wedding day drinks will be one of the most memorable parts of your day, so why not make them AMAZING?

Whether you’re getting married at a venue that includes a full bar, or if you’re completely building a bar from bottom up for your wedding, this episode has tips and advice for you. In addition to being a professional wedding planner and photographer, we both consider ourselves professional drinkers, so raise your glasses and let’s CHEERS to another fun episode.

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CURATING THE PERFECT BAR FOR YOUR WEDDING

• Signature cocktails - the statement drinks that will be featured at your wedding - often one for each partner highlighting their specific preferences. It’s so important to start with a client’s personal preference and preferred flavor palettes to create their signature drink. They should hit all your senses - it should look amazing, smell amazing, taste amazing!
• Large, important details: the aesthetics are so important - using a real bar front vs a table with linens, using beautiful glassware, having a custom bar menu for guests - all of these attention to detail items make your guests enjoy this experience.
• FACT: Guests hang out at the bar, so why wouldn’t you create a hospitable place to hang out? According to Chad, the bar is a focal point, a gathering place, and often the centerpiece to your reception!
• HOT TREND: Custom ice cubes - they’re clear, branded and GORGEOUS.
• We’ve been craving local ingredients in our food and cuisines for years - why wouldn’t we demand the same for our drinks? Customize your cocktails by using local flavors from the location you’re getting married at. We eat local - we should drink local, too!
• CHAD GETS HEATED! Having a real bartender is critical - they can be shaking 2 drinks at the same time, double pouring, while talking to your guests at the same time. They can also freestyle if your guests want something off menu, and stay cool under pressure. Having real bartenders vs banquet bartenders makes a huge difference in your service.
• Champagne Towers, LOVE
• Spraying champagne, HATE
• Champagne toasts, 100% LOVE
• Beer kegs… LOVE!
• While Chad says rum and gin are the least popular drinks, Tessa believes that Joe paid him to say that! (And say that bourbon, vodka and tequila are the most popular). BARF.
• Final note - Chad is a ROCK STAR and Joe and I were  100% fangirling over him. Truth.

Find Chad McDonald (Stir Beverage)
Instagram: @stirbeverage
Website: stirbeverage.com

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These are our top 3 episodes to start with if you are about to have your summer wedding. We'd love to hear from you. Hit us up and mention our show to learn more about our Unveiling Paradise Promo. 

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