My Big Day Events Blog: Weddings, Events, Deals, Ideas, Planning, Colorado in the Know!

9 Wedding Bar Trends for 2022

12/28/2021

Almost a third of brides-to-be get engaged over the holidays, which means some of you will be stocking up on wedding magazines and poring over wedding checklists in the coming weeks (or maybe you already are, while you wait for that ring – we won’t judge). Weddings are part of our business at MBD Marketing & Events --- and for our client, On the Rocks, so we like to keep up with the latest trends, including this list of nine wedding bar trends for 2022.

Did you know 2.6 million weddings are forecast to happen in the U.S. in 2022? That’s the most since almost 40 years ago, in 1984. If you’re one of these millions getting married in the new year, read on for what’s “in” in 2022.

Mobile Bars

Hey, that’s us! Mobile bars are still big for 2022, especially those that are serviced. Portable or permanent bars are traditional at wedding venues, but traditional can get a bit boring. Opt for a unique, whimsical mobile bar like our Pearl instead. You’ll stand out from the rest and get tailored service from our TIPS-certified bartenders.

Mocktails and Low-ABV Cocktails

Having guests at your wedding who don’t drink alcohol is nothing new. But more and more brides and grooms are deciding they’d rather avoid drunken family drama and other inappropriate guest behavior by offering alcohol-free mocktails or “low-alcohol by volume” cocktails.

Non-alcoholic beer has been around for decades, but alcohol-free spirits mimicking the taste of tequila, vodka, and flavored liqueurs are increasingly popular. Low-ABV cocktails still contain alcohol, but in percentages similar to those of beer and wine, rather than hard liquor.

Customization and Personalization

We love the trend of couples wanting to infuse every part of their big day with their personalities and interests, and this includes cocktails. The signature cocktail came about as a way for couples to create their own drinks, rather than follow recipes from a bar book. Consider a signature cocktail for each newlywed, or one that celebrates the couple.

Special touches like monogrammed drink stirrers or personalized napkins are another way to make a statement.

Creative Presentations

The signature cocktail movement has translated into seemingly endless cocktail presentation possibilities. Couples with a carnival theme may serve drinks in striped cups rimmed with frosting and sprinkles, movie buffs might skewer popcorn for a garnish, and dessert fanatics can serve boozy milkshakes in cookie cups or ice cream cones.

Fresh Floral Bar Decor

Fresh flowers and greenery aren’t only for bouquets and boutonnieres. Bars are becoming a decor focal point at weddings, incorporating the style of the wedding ceremony and reception. Whether your budget allows for some sprigs of greenery or elaborate bar arrangements, fresh florals make your bar an inviting focal point instead of an afterthought.

Canned Beers, Wines, and Cocktails

Canned drinks are ideal for small, intimate weddings or at venues with a strict no-glass rule. They’re also convenient, with less spilling and easier cleanup. You’ll save money on drinkware rentals and washing. Plus, there are so many canned alcoholic beverages available these days, you can find can designs to suit your wedding colors or theme.

It’s still good practice to let an experienced bartender (like our TIPS-certified ones) be in charge of canned drinks, to prevent incidents due to guests being over-served. In Colorado, for example, you could even be held liable for an over-served guest who drinks and drives after your event.

Vintage Drinks

Traditional cocktails are back in style, most notably the aptly-named Old Fashioned. Vintage touches lend elegance to modern weddings. Even the champagne tower, where champagne is poured over a tower of old-fashioned champagne coupes, is making a comeback that doubles as both refreshment and eye-catching decoration.

re-Ceremony Refreshment Bar

Another growing trend is the pre-ceremony refreshment bar, which offers guests non-alcoholic options like fruit-infused waters in summer or a hot chocolate station in the winter. It’s not a bad idea to provide some light snacks too, especially for guests who traveled a long way the day of the ceremony and to prevent fainting at a hot summer wedding.

Themed Bar and Drinks

Your bar and drinks can emulate the overall style of your wedding, or you can get creative with themed cocktails and bar decorations that mean something to you as a couple. One popular option is a travel-themed bar, with cocktails from countries or regions you’ve traveled to as a couple.

A cocktail hour bar can also be decorated to suit a theme different from your ceremony and reception style, such as a favorite hobby of the groom or the couple. Drinks themselves can be customized to suit that theme, with creative names and garnishes.

Need a wedding planning team? Look no further than the gals at MBD Marketing & Events!
You can learn more about our Colorado and Wyoming wedding packages HERE.

Ready to book mobile bar services for your 2022 wedding? Contact ON THE ROCKS now. Choose from one of their ready-made packages, or they can create a custom package for you.

Christmas Parties Gone Wrong

12/21/2021

Christmas Parties Gone Wrong; All Work and No Play...Celebrating the Holidays with your Work Crew

By Carrie Stadtmueller, Content Conductor

There are many types of Christmas traditions out there, but none perhaps as steeped and as important as planning the PERFECT holiday office party! The perfect office party is just the right blend of structure and professionalism with just enough of a relaxed atmosphere where people can cut loose enough with some fun and slight indulgences. A time to celebrate a year of accomplishments!

We’ve helped many companies and businesses plan perfect celebrations with class and flair. And, it’s always great for our clients to know that they have an extra set of eyes and hands on site to help should things get out of hand - or slightly out of control.

How can things get out of control, you might ask? Well, anytime you mix good food, good drink, good music, and good fun – you run the risk of things getting out of control. Take these examples for instance:

“Office Christmas Party”
Starring Jennifer Aniston & Jason Bateman

If you’ve ever held a job, chances are, you’ve also had to deal with the annual work holiday party. As mentioned above, as event planners - we’ve planned a few! Let us just say - the characters in this movie probably could have used our help!

This movie follows an office holiday party that gets wildly out of hand as a branch manager uses the event to impress a potential client while trying to close a sale and save company jobs.

One major tip: Remember that this is still a business event.
While it is oky to relax and have fun when you’re at a workplace party, don’t loose sight of the fact that this event is still sponsored by your boss, and you should still remain professional.

Best of the Christmas Parties - The Office

The Office has great examples for what “not to do” on so many occasions. This compilation of their holiday parties is a gold mine! But, there is one rule that really sticks out in this…

Holiday Party Tip: Don’t drink too much!
If your employer is offering you a drink and you don’t mind - accept, but watch and limit yourself!
If there is one place you cannot afford to lose your senses, it is at an event that is hosted by your boss and attended by your coworkers. You do not want to be the talk around the watercooler the next Monday!
Best advice - probably stick to a two drink maximum. This will allow you to enjoy yourself without having to pay for it later!

Die Hard
Starring Bruce Willis

While some people may argue whether or not this is truly a Christmas movie (IT IS!) - one thing is certain, it definitely holds some holiday office party lessons to follow.
Holiday Party Tip: Don’t bring uninvited guests.
Your party hosts have been planning for a certain amount of guests. Most caterers and venues require a base payment per guest. It is not appropriate to add to your hosts’ expenses by bringing extra guests to the event.

Holiday Tip: Do introduce yourself to others at the company.
If you work at a larger company, make it a goal to talk with a certain number of people with whom you haven’t spoken to or don’t know that well. Holiday parties can be great networking opportunities.

Holiday Tip: Do arrive and depart on time.
Arriving fashionably late is not appropriate in a corporate setting. You also do not want to be the last one to leave either. Make sure that you are following the time that is listed on the event invitation.

When you choose to celebrate appropriately, your office holiday party can be a great way to build strong team ties and camaraderie and celebrate a year of accomplishments or milestones. Follow these tips to have a great time!

-Your MBD Event Planning Team

Contact MBD Marketing & Events

Small Business. Big Impact.

Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068

Email Us

We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken

10 Guilty Pleasure Party Appetizers

12/9/2021

If you’re dieting for the holidays this year, you’ve come to the wrong place – the My Big Day team has rounded up ten of our favorite guilty pleasure party appetizers. No counting calories allowed!

Whip up any of these recipes (double or triple them to feed a crowd), and you’ll be getting all the compliments. To promote safe partying during the pandemic, we’ve chosen bite-sized apps for your guests. Bonus: Dishes are optional and clean-up is easy.

Whether you need a little help planning your next event, or want to show up the day-of with everything done, our team with over 15 years of experience in the event industry is here to help. Book now.

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

A little spicy? Yep. Super indulgent? Yes. Totally addictive? You bet.

Yield: 12 poppers

Ingredients

12 jalapeno peppers, approximately 3-4 inches long
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
½ c. mozzarella cheese
½ c. Monterey jack or pepper jack cheese
½ tsp. smoked or regular paprika
¼ tsp. garlic powder
⅛ tsp. onion powder
salt, to taste
12 slices thin-cut bacon, cut in half
24 toothpicks

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking pan with foil and place a baking/cooling rack on top, to keep peppers from getting soggy.
Wearing gloves, cut peppers in half and carefully remove seeds and membranes. A spoon is a great tool for this.
In a medium-sized bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add the other cheeses and spices and mix until smooth and ingredients are evenly distributed.
Spoon cream cheese mixture into each pepper and level off the top. Wrap with half a piece of bacon. Secure with a toothpick and place on prepared rack.
Bake 25-30 minutes or until crispy and slightly browned on top. If bacon is not crispy enough, turn to broil for 1-2 minutes, watching very carefully.

Cream Cheese Tortilla Bites

Quick and easy (only 4 ingredients!) and vegetarian.

Yield: 36 bites

Ingredients

6 8-inch tortillas
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
2 tbsp. everything seasoning, divided
2 tbsp. Butter

Directions

Divided equally, spread the cream cheese over the tops of the tortillas.
Sprinkle each with 1 tbsp. everything seasoning, roll up, and cut into 1-inch sections (six per tortilla, plus ends).
In a large frying pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the tortilla bites, cut side down, and cook 1-2 minutes or until golden brown. Flip and repeat on the other side. Serve warm.

Feta and Spinach Puff Pastry Appetizers

These fancy pastries look as good as they taste and are sure to impress. Vegetarian.

Yield: 27 pastries

Ingredients

16 oz. frozen spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
14 oz. can artichoke hearts, drained, chopped, and squeezed dry
½ c. green onions, chopped
8 oz. crumbled Feta cheese
4 oz. Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
6 cloves garlic, minced
½ stick butter, melted
3 eggs, beaten, divided
3 sheets of puff pastry

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Using a cheesecloth or clean dish towel, squeeze a much water as possible out of chopped spinach and artichokes.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine spinach, artichokes, green onions, cheeses, salt, pepper, garlic, butter, and two beaten eggs.
Roll each sheet of puff pastry out to 10x10 inches. Using a pizza cutter, divide each sheet of puff pastry into 9 equal squares.
Spray a mini muffin tin with nonstick spray. Press each puff pastry square into the bottom and sides of the tins. Place a heaping tablespoon of spinach mixture into each square. Bring each corner up and twist to seal.
Brush additional egg onto each pastry. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Ritz Crackers Party Sandwiches

Yes, the nostalgic snack is still a party favorite. Customize with your own favorite cheese and meat, or cheese and roasted veggies.

Yield: 48 sandwiches

Ingredients

96 Ritz crackers (3 sleeves)
½ lb. thinly sliced deli ham
⅓ lb. thinly sliced swiss cheese
5 tbsp. unsalted butter
2 tsp. dijon mustard
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
¼ tsp. salt
2 tsp. poppy seeds
1 tsp. dried onion flakes

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place 24 crackers flat side down in the bottom of a 13x9 baking dish. Tear the ham gently to create small strips, and gently fold a slice on top of each cracker.
Cut the cheese into 1-inch squares and place one piece on top of each piece of ham. Top each sandwich with another cracker, round side up.
Microwave butter until melted, about 45 seconds. Gently whisk in dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and salt. Pour the butter mixture evenly over the sandwiches, dividing evenly between the two pans. Sprinkle with poppy seeds and dried onion flakes.
Bake 10-12 minutes, or until cheese is melted and crackers are lightly golden brown. Serve warm.

Crockpot Apple Butter and Bourbon Meatballs

Sweet and tangy. Add hot sauce for an extra kick.

Yield: 32 meatballs

Ingredients

⅔ c. apple butter
⅔ c. barbecue sauce
½ tsp. Hot sauce (optional)
⅓ c. bourbon
2 tbsp. Chili powder
32 oz. bag of frozen, pre-cooked meatballs

Directions

Combine apple butter, barbecue sauce, hot sauce, and bourbon in a small bowl. Place meatballs in slow cooker.
Pour the apple butter and barbecue sauce mixture on top. Cook on low 2-3 hours and serve warm.

*On a time crunch? Place meatballs and sauce mixture in a saucepan and cook on medium low, stirring frequently, for 30-40 minutes or until meatballs are heated through.

Cranberry Havarti Bites

Decadent, creamy, and tangy.

Yield: 16 bites

Ingredients

Cranberry sauce, homemade or store-bought (make sure it is cranberry sauce, not cranberry jelly – you’re looking for a jam-like consistency)
One puff pastry sheet
Sliced creamy havarti, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 egg, lightly beaten
Fresh thyme, for garnish (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking tray with baking paper or a silicone mat.
Unroll the pastry, then divide it into 16 small rectangles and brush with egg wash.
Drag a knife across each rectangle of dough along the edges to create a “crust.” Place a slice of havarti in the middle.
Bake for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown.
Top each bite with cranberry sauce and a sprig of fresh thyme.

Cranberry Brie Crostini Bites

Cranberry + brie is a sophisticated holiday combo, and this recipe can be made in advance and then assembled in just minutes on party day.

Yield: 24 toasts

Ingredients

2 c. fresh cranberries
¼ c. packed brown sugar
1 orange, peeled and juiced (save the peels)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 sprig fresh rosemary, plus more for garnish
1 baguette, sliced into 24 half-inch slices
1 tbsp. olive oil
½ tsp. salt
8 oz. brie, sliced into 24 pieces

Directions

Combine cranberries, brown sugar, orange juice, orange peels, vanilla, and rosemary in a small pot. Bring the liquid to a simmer and stir frequently until sugar has dissolved. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries are falling apart and a jam-like consistency has formed, 20-25 minutes. Remove from heat and fish out orange peels and rosemary stems. If jam is too tart, add more brown sugar 1 tablespoon at a time.
Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Slice baguette into 24 half-inch slices. Brush each side with olive oil, then lay on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt. Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and crisp, flipping halfway.
To assemble the bites, top each toast with a slice of brie and a tablespoon of cranberry jam. Garnish with rosemary if desired. *Jam will keep for 3-5 days in the refrigerator.

Twice Baked Potato Bites

Like a mini baked potato with all the toppings, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Yield: 12

Ingredients

12 small red and gold potatoes
2 tbsp. Cream cheese, softened
3 tbsp. Sour cream
½ c. cooked, crumbled bacon
2 tbsp. Chopped fresh chives
½ c. grated cheese of your choice
½ tsp. Salt
¼ tsp. Pepper
Olive oil

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Toss potatoes with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. Roast 25-30 minutes or until fork tender. Cool until they can be safely handled, about 20 minutes.
Slice off just the top of each potato and scoop out the insides with a small spoon or melon baller, leaving about ⅛ inch of potato. Put the scooped out potato into a bowl.
To the same bowl, add cream cheese, sour cream, ¼ c. grated cheese, ¼ c. crumbled bacon, and 1 tbsp. chopped chives. Mash and mix until smooth.
Fill potato shells with potato mixture. Bake at 350 degrees F 15-20 minutes until heated through. Top with remaining cheese and bacon and heat 5 minutes more. Sprinkle with remaining chives.

Antipasto Skewers

These snacking skewers are like a portable charcuterie board, without the touching-something-someone-else-has-touched.

Yield: 18 skewers

Ingredients

18 6-inch wooden skewers
18 cheese tortellini cooked and cooled
¼ c. Italian salad dressing or vinaigrette
18 large black olives, pitted
18 cubes havarti cheese (about 8 oz.)
18 slices of salami or prosciutto
18 cherry or grape tomatoes
18 to 36 fresh basil leaves
18 marinated mozzarella balls

Directions

After cooking tortellini, transfer to a container with a lid, and add dressing or vinaigrette. Toss lightly. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours, up to overnight, to marinate.
Thread the ingredients onto the skewers in any order you’d like. A pleasing order: olive, havarti, salami or prosciutto (folded), tortellini, tomato, basil, marinated mozzarella.

Mini Bacon Ranch Cheese Balls on a Pretzel Stick

These salty, satisfying game-day snacks make a popular party app.

Yield: 30

Ingredients

12 oz. softened cream cheese
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
1 tbsp. Dry ranch seasoning
1 c. (about 1 lb.) cooked, finely chopped bacon
1 tbsp. Parsley
30 pretzel sticks

Directions

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese. Add cheddar and ranch mix and beat until combined. In a small bowl, combine bacon and parsley.
Use a melon baller to scoop out a ball of the cheese mixture. Roll into a ball, then roll to coat in the parsley and bacon mixture. Repeat until all balls are made.
Place a pretzel stick in the middle of each cheese ball and serve.

Visit our Party Appetizers Pinterest board for many more party-worthy recipes. For more party planning tips and ideas, follow My Big Day on Facebook and Instagram.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Drinking Game!

11/23/2021

When the holidays draw near, do you feel the need to reach for a beer?
The relatives are in town, and you are putting in your time with the family...

Well, spike that eggnog, Sparky, grab your favorite moose mug, and play My Big Day's "Christmas Vacation Drinking Game!"

What you will need for this game: an beer, eggnog, wine, or your drink of choice, a Santa hat & a single shot of your choice (perhaps a lime Jello shot topped with cat food).

*** Disclosure: please don't drink to put up with family, then drive.

My Big Day Drinking Rules:

Take One Drink Every Time...

Ellen calls Clark "Sparky"
Someone is wearing an ugly holiday sweater
There is singing or bells shaking
The swimming pool is referenced
Clark is wearing a sports team article of clothing

Additional Rules:

The entire group takes a drink whenever an advent calendar door is opened.

You must yell “Shitter’s Full!” any time you leave to use the restroom, otherwise you must finish your beer when you return.

The first person to say “Get me somebody! And get me somebody while I'm waiting!” when Frank Shirley appears on screen for the first time chooses a person to finish their drink.

The first person to stand up & fully complete the “knock on the door, peek in…” correctly WITH hand gestures during that scene gives two drinks.

At any point in the movie, you can point to someone & yell "RUSS!" If they do not respond with "Right here, dad" they must take a drink (max once per person, this could get out of control).

Anytime someone misquotes a line in the movie, they have to wear the Santa hat until it gets passed to the next person.
When the movie is over, the last person wearing the Santa hat has to shotgun a beer & finish by saying “Ahh, It’s good, It’s good. It’s good.”

"A Christmas Story" Drinking Game - MBD Marketing & Events

11/22/2021

We've noticed that our followers really appreciate game ideas... especially drinking game ideas.
With a rough couple years behind us, and a global pandemic still lingering, we understand for the need for 'at home' party ideas!

Since our "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Drinking Game" is so popular, we decided to add
"A Christmas Story Drinking Game" for those of you looking to add some variety to your regular holiday program viewing!

"A Christmas Story Drinking Game"

Rules: Party safe, try to place with drinks that don't have super high alcohol content! (You will be drinking a lot this game!) To pad your stomach prior to playing, kudos to the host for providing some "Meatloaf, smeatloaf, double-beatloaf."

Drink every time:

The words "Red Ryder" are mentioned
"Christmas" is said
"You'll shoot your eye out" is said
Ralphie fantasizes
Santa is on screen
A Christmas carol is played
Ralpie's brother cries
Someone quotes the movie
Ralphie's mother appears to be intoxicated.
Anyone curses/swears with gibberish!

Finish your drink:

When the lamp arrives
When a Triple Dog Dare occurs
Ralphie shoots his eye out

Group Rules:

Everyone must yell "Oh Fuuuuudge" every time someone exits the bathroom while playing.
Bonus: If anyone can hold a bar of soap in their mouth for 1 minute, they can assign drinks to anyone else throughout the game!
Together the group must sing, "Deck the harrs with boughs of horry, fa ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra" at the right point in the movie.

Enjoy!!!

Holiday Tips: Tools for Monitoring Your Own Intoxication

11/12/2021

With the holidays quickly approaching, we know many of you are eager to celebrate with coworkers, family, and friends. During the winter holidays, 40% of highway deaths are alcohol-related. Keep yourself and those around you safe by using one (or both) of these tools to monitor your own alcohol consumption.

As the marketing team for No DUI Larimer, we have some great tools we recommend for some extra safety for you and your loved ones.

DRUIDapp for iOS and Android

The DRUID app applies neuroscience to assess a user’s level of cognitive and motor impairment due to any cause, including alcohol intoxication, marijuana use, fatigue, and injury. It works like a video game, and records hundreds of indicators to detect impairment in just three minutes.

The app is comprehensive (tests for many causes of impairment), accurate, fast, easy to use, and free. Unlike impairment due to drugs or alcohol, impairment due to fatigue, illness, chronic condition or injury, like concussion, cannot be determined by measuring the presence of an impairing substance in bodily fluids – blood, urine or sweat.

And for some drugs, particularly marijuana, testing for its bodily presence just doesn’t work. Marijuana causes impairment for an hour or two, but remains in your system for three weeks or more. During that time, it has no impairing effect. A test for its bodily presence is not useful to determine your ability to operate a vehicle or other machinery, or your well-being, because it does not measure impairment.

DRUID can help keep you safe if you:

Have been drinking alcohol
Are impaired due to fatigue, illness, a chronic medical condition, or prescription medicines
Treat chronic pain using medical marijuana
Use marijuana or illegal drugs recreationally

DRUID is available in the App Store and Google Play.

BACtrack

BACtrack is a personal, portable breathalyzer specifically designed to help you make better decisions while drinking. BACtrack allows you to estimate your BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) in seconds and tells you when your BAC will return to 0.00%, so you can stay safe and consume alcohol responsibly.

A number of factors affect how quickly an individual’s BAC rises and falls, including: age, gender, rate of consumption, drink strength, body type, fat/muscle content, metabolism, medications, food, carbonation, and certain medical conditions. Whether you drink regularly or only occasionally, your own BAC may surprise you. Knowing your true BAC at any time allows you to make safer decisions for yourself and those around you.

Research suggests that education about blood alcohol content contributes to fewer incidences of impaired driving. BACtrack technologies have helped people avoid fatal accidents.

Purchase a BACtrack for yourself or someone you love for as little as $39.99. Coupons are often available.

Follow No DUI Larimer on Facebook and Instagram for local news and more safe drinking tips.

How to Set Up a Self-Service Bar for Your Holiday Party

11/7/2021

Entertaining for the holidays can have you juggling many roles: chef, bartender, performer – even family mediator. Setting up a self-serve bar for your holiday party gives you more time to enjoy your guests, but it may not be as simple as you think. Here are some tips to DIY a successful self-serve bar for the holidays.

Keep the drink selection simple

As the party host, it’s up to you how many drink options you’d like to supply for your guests. You can stick to just beer and wine, add in a themed cocktail, or stock all the basics of a full bar and allow guests to create their own drinks. Here are some staples to consider:

Scotch
Vodka
Gin
Tequila
Rum
Red and white wine
Beer
Mixers like: club soda, cola, diet cola, tonic, lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, orange juice, and cranberry juice
Extras like: champagne, brandy, and pimms
Garnishes: orange peel, lime, lemon wedges, or other fruit

Pre-mix drinks

If you’d like to serve a signature cocktail hassle-free, you can pre-mix ingredients and serve them in a large beverage dispenser. To keep drinks cold without diluting them, chill ingredients thoroughly before mixing, then: add ice cubes made out of your non-alcoholic ingredients, add frozen fruit, or choose a beverage dispenser designed to keep liquids cold.

Write cocktail recipes for guests

If your guests like to be a bit more hands-on, you can provide the cocktail recipe and let guests mix their own drinks. Choose a signature cocktail or two and print the recipes on paper or cardstock, write them on a chalkboard, or even on a mirror. If a drink requires an exact measurement, be sure to have that measuring utensil available. Don’t forget to provide any garnishes.

Choose drinks that complement your theme or occasion

This is the fun part: brainstorming signature drinks to suit your party theme or occasion. Warm, rich drinks are welcome at a cozy fall or winter party. Traditional drinks like mulled wine are a festive addition to holiday parties. And fresh, fruity drinks are ideal for summer get-togethers. For ideas and inspiration, check out our list of eight signature cocktails for your next event or five fall-inspired cocktail recipes.

Purchase the right amount of alcohol for your party

Party duration, number of guests, type of alcohol, and type of party all affect how much alcohol you’ll need to purchase. This drink calculator from Evite is a great place to start.

Have supplies readily available

The supplies you’ll need depend on the complexity of your drink offerings. Even the most basic self-serve bar will need:

Glassware or cups
Corkscrew (if serving wine)
Cocktail napkins
Bar towel
Ice (and a serving utensil)
Trash can

Other supplies to consider include:

Jigger (measuring glass)
Shaker
Fruit and garnishes (pre-cut)
Drink stirrers
Cocktail shaker
Strainer
Champagne flutes
Short and tall glasses
Wine glasses
Stemmed cocktail glasses

eep your guests (and yourself) safe

With a self-serve bar, you won’t be able to keep track of how much alcohol each guest consumes. Look for signs of intoxication (loud speech, slurred speech, stumbling, rude behavior, etc.) and discourage any guests you suspect to be impaired from driving. Be ready to call ride services, offer a room for the night, or even to call police if things escalate. Check your local and state laws: As party host, you may be held responsible for the actions of impaired guests, even after they’ve left your property.

Sound like a lot? With some planning and drink prep, anyone can provide their own self-serve bar this holiday season. But if you’re short on time or just don’t feel ready, you can book all of these services with On the Rocks.

You’ll get a consultation with us to discuss drink ideas, how much alcohol you’ll need to purchase, and delivery coordination. On the day of your event, our TIPS-certified bartenders – trained in safe service and preventing drunk driving and underage intoxication – will serve your guests, so you can be worry free.

Holidays 2021 - To Party or Not to Party?

10/29/2021

It’s been over a year now……

It’s been well over a year of pivoting schedules, canceling plans, and re-imagining how we work and play in this new world of Covid-19. Last year, at this time, the decision of whether or not to hold a holiday party was simple -- no one did. In fact - in many parts of the country, we were under strict lockdown orders, and couldn’t have gathered together if we wanted to.

The landscape might look a bit different this year, but overall, the looming question remains the same. Is it safe to host a holiday party this winter, 2021? We might be more open, but with covid variants top of mind for many business owners and corporations, many are asking the question - should we hold a holiday party for our employees and teams?

A Case for the Party

Many business leaders are looking for ways to celebrate and honor their employees for “sticking it out and surviving” the pandemic. Bringing people together in celebration is a great way to boost morale and to thank everyone for a job well done.

People are ready to step away from the Zoom camera and to get out and mingle. They are yearning for some human interaction.

A Case for Caution

As exciting as getting back to normal and back together sounds, celebrating cautiously is probably the smarter way to go.

Planning celebrations in smaller groups, or with hybrid event plans would be prudent. People could still have the feel of gathering together but in smaller and safer numbers. Larger corporations can plan hybrid events with smaller groups connecting via satellite all together to honor local number restrictions and stay safe at the same time.

Safety tips for Celebrating

If you do choose to host a holiday celebration with your work crew, we suggest the following Covid Safe planning tips:

1. Remember that Sanitation is TOP priority.

Many venues are required to follow strict safety guidelines. Make sure you are communicating these guidelines and rules to your guests.

Plan on providing extra masks, extra sanitizer, and extra space for your guests as well.

2. Skip the buffet and other congestive serving mechanisms.

People don’t really want to grab an appetizer off of a tray in a room of thousands of people - nor should they!

Stay away from champagne towers, punch bowls, and buffet lines. Replace these with chef serving stations, hip vending machines, and pre-packaged or individually-boxed food experiences.

Food trucks are very popular -- why not hire a few of these to cater your team’s holiday celebration?

3. Think outside the box -- THINK OUTSIDE

Don’t plan your typical office holiday party.

How about a Scavenger Hunt that takes your staff on a trip around town?

Plan a round of “golf” at one of the Top Golf locations in Northern Colorado.

Feeling altruistic? Set up a day of volunteering and give back to the community with your crew.

Perhaps even give your entire staff an extra day off to spend any way they please.

When it comes to celebrating the holidays - there are no said rules -- you can make it up as you go, and thanks to Covid, you have an excuse to “shake things up” a bit!

Whatever you do - RESEARCH & COMMUNICATE

Whatever route you decide to do, it is important that you do two things --

Research and Communicate

It will be up to you to know and follow all of the local, state, and federal rules and precautions. Some of these may impact events. Make sure you are following best practices. It would be bad form to host a party that turns out to be a super spreader - that would not be something to celebrate.

Communicating your company’s Covid-19’s response and preparedness is vital, too. Not only with the vendors and venue you choose to use for your celebration, but with your employees, too. Let them know what your expectations are for the event, and the steps your organization will be taking to keep them safe.

For more information on Larimer County Covid-19 Health protocols and guidance:
https://www.larimer.org/health/communicable-disease/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-community-updates-public-health-orders

Why You Should Book Your 2021 Holiday Party NOW

7/14/2021

Christmas in July? It may seem early, but now is the time to book your 2021 corporate or private holiday party with MBD Marketing & Events. As the world has opened up, demand for venues, hotel rooms, plane tickets, and event rentals have skyrocketed. We’re seeing venues booking events for 2022’s holiday season, so the time to reserve your ideal venue is NOW.

Really? Is the demand that great?

YES! We started having to get creative months ago when venues started booking up. We are already 50% booked for weddings in 2022! We have called on venues that aren't venues for events Summer, Fall and Winter, asking to create an event space for clients.

You can rely on us to MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Booking a venue is one of the first steps to planning any event, including holiday parties. Here is an example of a corporate holiday party planning timeline:

12 Weeks Out

Choose themes or colors

Choose a date and time – Research shows that lunch hour corporate holiday parties have the highest attendance. But evening parties are a great option, since they are longer and allow for more teambuilding and fun activities. Consider weekday evenings if cost is a concern; venues and entertainers often charge more for Friday and Saturday events.

Book venue and entertainment (DJs and bands book well in advance) – This is in a typical year. We recommend booking now for 2021.

Nail down a guest list

Book catering and bartending

Book photographer for a fun photo booth experience (optional)

8 Weeks Out

Send save-the-dates (optional) – Holidays are a time for travel. Sending save-the-dates will allow your guests to book tickets around your event, or let you know in advance that they can’t make it.

6 Weeks Out

Order any party supplies you’ll be purchasing online and/or that have a lead time – The pandemic supply chain is a doozy (just ask us!) Allow plenty of time to order products online, or for customized items like napkins that sport your business logo.

4 Weeks Out

Research and choose games or activities

Purchase indoor and outdoor decorations you can find locally
Recruit helpers if your event is going to be large (or book with MBD and consider us your holiday elves!)

Create a timeline for the event itself – Reserve windows of time for any structured activities like meals or games, and be sure to allow time for networking.

3 Weeks

If doing a Secret Santa, send out guidelines (price, size/type of gifts) to participants

Send out invitations

1 Week

Purchase last-minute supplies

Confirm contracts with vendors (caterer, rentals, entertainment, etc.)

Create a setup timeline for the day of the event – Venues allocate a certain amount of time for setup, which can vary greatly. Ensure you have access to your party space in time to set up before guests arrive. You may need a large team to set up a complex event within the venue-specified time frame (another great reason to hire us!)

3 Days

Share relevant information such as parking directions with guests

Finalize RSVPs and provide head counts to vendors

1-2 Days

Organize and collect decorations to take to venue

Finalize timeline for day-of setup

When you book with MBD Marketing & Events, we do all the heavy lifting. Our holidays are already filling up with contracts, so book ASAP with our team of creative, experienced event planners for an unforgettable company holiday party.

MBD Marketing & Events Favorite Holiday Songs/Albums

12/15/2020

We have been rocking around the Christmas tree all month to these tunes! If you want to update your playlist with some of our favorites - be our guest! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1A5F8vdeA2BbM4lYKnEFcQ

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings” - Barenaked Ladies, featuring Sarah McLachlan
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Albums -- all of them!
Home Alone Soundtrack
“White Christmas” - Bing Crosby
A Motown Christmas Album
“Last Christmas” - Wham!