Sometimes the best weddings start with a simple introduction. Just a few weeks before Ellie and Felix’s wedding on August Bank Holiday, wedding planner Jessica Robinson of JJR Events posted on LinkedIn looking for a mobile wedding bar for her clients’ wedding weekend in Norfolk. A fellow event professional we had worked with before tagged Sip ‘n’ Swig in the post.
What followed was a brilliant example of why we love providing a bespoke mobile bar for weddings. This wasn’t a standard package dropped into a marquee. It was a drinks service built around the couple, their guests, venue, suppliers and the way they wanted their wedding weekend to feel.
A wedding at the family home
Ellie and Felix of Fairfax and Favor were getting married at the groom’s family home in Norfolk, with the celebrations taking place on the lawn beneath beautiful stretch tents from Tent King.
With the couple planning from America, Jessica was coordinating the wedding and all of the suppliers from the UK.
The family already had plenty of hospitality experience. They own pubs, and Matthew, a former chef at the family’s pub, was leading the food for both Saturday and Sunday. The food was very much in good hands, drinks, however, were something they wanted a specialist team to manage. The family had also discovered wines they loved through their pubs and wanted to use those favourites throughout the wedding,
Ellie and Felix wanted a relaxed wedding where their guests felt genuinely looked after. They were the last of their group of friends to get married and after enjoying the hospitality at their friends’ weddings over the years, they wanted to give something back.
It wasn’t about making the day overly formal. It was about making it feel special and the drinks were a big part of that.
Planning a cocktail hour for a marquee wedding
The plan was for guests to return from the church to a glass of bubbles and enjoy a cocktail reception with their new Mr and Mrs Parker, before moving through to dinner.
Because we were working at a private family home rather than a traditional wedding venue, there was plenty to consider behind the scenes.
We arrived on Friday to get the bar and equipment set up. When we arrived the grounds looked stunning but half an hour in, we were caught in a storm! Thankfully, the stretch tents were already in place and gave us confidence that, whatever the weather decided to do, the guests would have somewhere beautiful and sheltered to enjoy the weekend.
One thing that can easily be overlooked when you’re working with someone else’s bar structure is whether it actually works with the equipment and service you need to provide. The bar itself was supplied by The Great Events Company and as we discovered on Friday, our beer chiller wouldn’t fit through the service gap.
Luckily, the team from The Great Events Company were still on site on Friday to enable us to get our equipment in position. Between them and the power team, we had everything we needed set for service.
It was one of those jobs that nobody would ever notice on the wedding day.
Ready before the guests arrived
On Saturday, some of the family got ready at home but because the professional supplier team was already on site, the family could concentrate on getting ready, photographs and the excitement of heading to the church rather than checking up on set up, whether drinks were in the chiller, glasses ready, tables laid etc.
Millie Miles glassware lined up, fizz chilled, bar set, we heard the cheer from the church which was just the other side of the garden. Jessica rushed off with some YETI cups filled with Spritz for the new Mr and Mrs as we started to welcome guests with a Tray Serviced Champagne Reception.
Cocktail hour: spritz was the star
Once the guests had arrived and Ellie and Felix had had some time for photographs together with Aurora Grey, the wedding cocktail hour got underway with Blood Orange Spritz, Limoncello Spritz and a Orange & Rhubarb Non-Alcoholic Spritz. Although we had some other cocktails on offer throughout the night, the guests couldn’t get enough of the Spritz!
Once the cocktails were in full flow, the bar also opened up with wine, soft drinks, non-alcoholic beers, draught beers and cider.
When we first spoke to Ellie and Felix about their wedding bar, we mentioned that we could offer cider on draught. Felix was sold. Sometimes that’s all it takes.
The speeches started during Cocktail Hour. We often recommend this as it allows those speaking to relax, enjoy their meal with out nerves and it often saves on serving a separate toast drink which can get wasted.
From cocktail hour to Wedding Breakfast
Whilst all of this was happening, there was another job going on behind the scenes.
The dining tables were in a separate tent and needed to be laid for dinner.
Our team, supported by Technique Hospitality, worked alongside the catering and service team led by Tristram to get everything ready.
The couple’s chosen wines and water were placed on the tables, alongside the glassware, cutlery and decorations.
There was also a lovely personal touch from Ellie herself. She had handmade wine glass charms for the table settings, which were added to each place.
Half way through, we spotted this was probably the most male heavy table laying team! It’s probably not the norm but cutlery was perfectly lined up, glassware positioned, settings and chairs checked, table decorations in place.
It might not be the most glamorous part of running a wedding bar, but it’s extremely satisfying and part of what we mean when we talk about hospitality-led wedding service. We’re not just there to pour drinks. We’re there to help make the whole guest experience work.
The team helped guests and the couple to the tent despite the pouring rain! Whilst Matthew Appleton and his team served up a feast, we looked after guests at the tables with wines, waters and a few extras from the bar. The Wedding Breakfast finished with the anticipated Best Man’s speech, more fizz for toast and then a few Baby Guiness shots!
Then the bar moved seamlessly into full evening service. This was much more than a cocktail bar. Spirits and mixers alongside the beer, cider, wine and cocktails. Our own Stag Gin was on the back bar. Stag Caribbean Spiced Rum made an appearance too.
Later on, pizzas arrived to keep everyone going whilst we kept the drinks flowing until the early hours.
Sunday: Bloody Marys, Pimm’s and recovery mode
And then it was Sunday. For many of the guests, the wedding wasn’t quite over. Those staying at the family home had enjoyed a morning lake swim, ready for a slightly more relaxed recovery day. Welcomed with Bloody Marys and the weather had completely changed, perfect for a Pimm’s or two.
Some guests were perhaps feeling a little more ropey than others. But with sunshine overhead and Matthew and his team putting out a fantastic recovery buffet, spirits soon lifted. The draught beer and cider, wine, spirits and mixers remained available but it really was a day for Pimm’s on the lawn, with Stag Spiced Rum and Coke being the drink of choice for the Groomsmen.
A wedding weekend where everything came together
By the end of the weekend, the feedback from the couple, guests, planner and fellow suppliers was incredibly special.
Everyone commented not just on the drinks, but on the team and the service. We’re always grateful when a client tells us they loved what we did but this one felt particularly significant. The family own pubs. Some of the guests were connected to hospitality too. They know what good service looks like. They know how much work goes into keeping a bar running, keeping guests looked after, keeping glasses topped up and making everything appear effortless. So to receive those compliments from people who understood what had gone on behind the scenes meant a lot to us.
Jessica was equally delighted, not just because she enjoyed a Pimm’s in the sunshine after a long weekend too! She told us that we’d gone above and beyond and that she could completely trust us to look after her clients.
Jessica posted on LinkedIn saying;
“So great to meet you – what a fab weekend!! Two day weddings can be challenging, however you guys worked with us so closely making sure the brief was met (and more!!!) it was an absolute pleasure. Here’s to the next one (because I need another one of those Pimms!!)”
“When bringing in external suppliers, they become an extended part of your team, and Jodie & Giles (and team!!) were an absolute pleasure to work with.
A countryside wedding, spanning across two days (not to mention the three day set-up!).
Two different days, with two different offerings and they exceeded all expectations.
From the bespoke welcome spritz, to the draught drinks offering, to the post-wedding recovery brunch Bloody Mary’s and Pimm’s – just absolutely fab!!
Next up is to try Giles’ Espresso Martini!!
Couldn’t recommend Sip ‘n’ Swig Ltd enough if you are looking for a pop-up bar at your event. ”
For a wedding planner coordinating a wedding from the other side of the Atlantic, that trust matters. She didn’t need to worry about whether the bar would be ready. Whether the drinks would be served properly. Whether guests would be looked after. Or whether we’d need to come looking for her with problems. She could trust us to get on with it.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Sip ‘n’ Swig wedding without at least one piece of feedback we weren’t expecting.
The groom’s dad was delighted with the service. But apparently my trainers need some work.
His recommendation?
Crocs.
I’m still considering it!!
A privilege to be part of this wedding weekend of celebrations
It was a real privilege to help Ellie and Felix celebrate their wedding weekend.
From the first LinkedIn tag, through a very wet Friday setup, Saturday’s cocktail hour and wedding celebrations, right through to Bloody Marys and Pimm’s on Sunday, it was exactly the kind of wedding we love being part of.
A relaxed celebration.
A beautiful private setting.
Fantastic food.
Great suppliers.
And a drinks service designed specifically around the couple and their guests.
Ellie and Felix were incredibly grateful for everything we did, and they loved the drinks we brought to the weekend. In fact, they’re already looking for an excuse to have us back. Perhaps we’ll see them for an anniversary party or two!
And finally, a huge thank you to Jessica for putting us in touch with Ellie and Felix, and to Nickie for recommending us on LinkedIn in the first place.
It’s another brilliant reminder that good events come from good people working together.
Other Suppliers;
Wedding Planner @jjrevents
Florist @millierose_floral
Photographer @auroragreyphoto
Videographer @glr.visual
Catering @chefmatthewappleton @trisabbs
Bar @sipnswigmobilebar
Tent Structures @tentkingevents
Entertainment @jonnyrossmusic
DJ @wiley.vibes
Sax @freddydelordsax
Make-up Artist @makeupby_joely
Hairdresser @chelsealenton_sittingpretty
Wedding Dress @adella_bridal
Tent Furniture, Bar & Dancefloor @greateventcompany
Outdoor Furniture & Table Candles @arrayweddingandeventhire
Planning your own marquee or private at home wedding?
If you’re looking for a bespoke mobile wedding bar for a marquee wedding, stretch tent wedding, private home celebration or wedding weekend, we’d love to hear what you’re planning.
We don’t believe in simply dropping a standard bar package into your venue.
We’ll work with your plans, your guests, your drinks preferences and your budget to create a bar and drinks service that feels like it belongs at your wedding.
Whether that’s a cocktail hour, draught beer and cider, premium wines, spirits and mixers, non-alcoholic drinks, bespoke cocktails or a complete wedding weekend drinks service – we’ll help you build it around the experience you want you and your guests to have.
Planning a wedding in Warwickshire, the Midlands, Norfolk or further afield? Get in touch with Sip ‘n’ Swig and let’s talk drinks.
