You may be a beer drinker, whiskey shooter or maybe you absolutely abhor alcohol, but no one can deny that a tipple or two can raise the spirits at your destination wedding in Goa. Most open-air venues in Goa have a set menu for the bar, but you can choose to curate your own for a more personalised and thoughtful touch.
Picture Credits - 17 Oz Bar Events
Here’s how to design a bar menu when wedding planning in Goa.
GIVE YOUR GUESTS WHAT THEY LIKE
Each ceremony might have a different demographic - your haldi and sangeet might have a concentration of all of your close friends and cousins, and very few distant relatives, while the reception will have a lot more extended family.
Picture Credits - The Wedding Aisle
This will help you decide how much of which alcohol you would need to be supplied. Generally, it’s safe to assume that each guest will consume one drink per hour, but online calculators exist to help you decide more firmly.
Picture Credits - BarBoss
If you’re going with a full bar at your destination wedding in Goa, you’ll typically need to serve at least two types of beers, one white wine, one red one, one champagne or sparkling wine, and a bunch of basic liquors along with mixers.
PAIR YOUR WINES WITH YOUR FOOD
It’s mostly pointless paying for red wine if you aren’t serving red meat. That’s not to say that red wine does not go well with other foods, but it’s the most popular pairing and you might find that you’ve spent on a drink your guests might not choose to consume.
Picture Credits - Malibu Resto Bar
Take your menu with you when choosing wines. If possible, get your caterer to offer a menu and wine tasting together so you can make the best decision when wedding planning in Goa.
INCLUDE SOME COCKTAILS
Cocktails are a great way to add a personal touch to your destination wedding in Goa. Include some crowd favourites that pair well with your snacks, and opt for a more extensive range if you’re looking at a sunset celebration by the pool or beach. Check with the resident mixologist at your preferred bar service in Goa for a signature cocktail that reflects your style.
Picture Credits - VLW Global
CONSIDER THE WEATHER & AMBIENCE
We know Goa seems like the state of fun in the sun, but the monsoon exists as well and the off-season is a gorgeous, budget-loving time to get married. Plan your bar menu based on the time of day - more chilled beers in the heat of the afternoon, heavier on spirits in the cooler evenings.
Picture Credits - Diakon Events
DON’T FORGET THE NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
Not everyone drinks and your destination wedding in Goa should be fun for them too. Instead of the same old aerated soft drinks and water, think about a non-alcoholic punch, a couple of mocktails, or a selection of freshly pressed juices.
Picture Credits - Castle Rock Events
GO LOCAL
Make things different for everyone with the fruit of Goan labour. Include urak or feni cocktails for a fresh, exciting flavour to your menu. But these cashew-based drinks aren’t the only spirits made in Goa. Try Greater Than, Hapusa and Stranger & Sons gins, Eight Finger Eddie and Arbor’s Beach Shack IPA, and even Paul John whisky to add a difference to your bar menu.
Picture Credits - Cazulo Premium Feni