Post #656676 by Quinntiki on Thu, Oct 25, 2012 7:20 AM

I love the idea of a groom's reception in a lounge with tiki punches. Very cool. Only problem for us is that I'm the bride and I will definitely want in on it! I think it's a good idea to appoint a couple of groomsmen or friends to help tend bar, if you are in a private location that will allow that. If you make punches in advance, the work would be minimal. You could also have some tiki mugs personalized with your name and date on the back as gifts.

We've seen a couple of reception venues in the Boston area that allow outside alcohol and have talked to the onsite event coordinators about the logistics of bringing in our own punches and home-brewed beer. In this area, places without a liquor license will allow you to bring in your own alcohol as long as you work with a catering company on getting all the necessary paperwork and have one of their licensed bartenders serve your guests. Seems reasonable. For our punches, we would probably buy the liquor, squeeze the juices, and make the syrups in advance, then have a friend mix the punches that morning (except the rum). Then, we can give instructions to the bartender for adding liquor at the beginning of the reception. One coordinator suggested we just give the bartender a recipe and s/he will mix it. We might do that, if the bartender seems good!

The Appleton Estate punch sounds great.