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Many facilities (including Almansor Court) charge for “open bar” services on an hourly basis.  This allows you to limit the expense while ensuring the satisfaction of your guests.  This fee is often variable depending on the number of guests you have invited and the types of alcohol you’ve chosen to offer.

Other facilities may also charge by the bottle, by the drink, or by the guest – just makes sure you know how you’ll be charged before signing any contracts.

You can always set hard limits on the amount of money you are willing to spend.  Options such as setting a dollar amount at which any further beverages must be paid for by the gests, limiting the types of “complimentary” drinks (say just a few types of beer or wine), purchasing a certain amount of beverage coupons, or even combinations of these solutions can drastically reduce the damage to your budget.

When determining wether to have a cash or open bar at your event (or whether or not to offer alcoholic beverages at all) the key is to communicate your desires and your limitations effectively to your caterer or to the banquet facility which is providing the bar staff. 

We’re continuing our discussion on Cash Bar versus Open Bar to help you understand the difference and make the right choice for your event.  To find out more about the Cash Bar in last month’s post.

The term “open bar” refers to a bar that serves drinks to your guest which you pay for (usually in advance but not always).  This eliminates the necessity of guests having to purchase each drink themselves and allows them to enjoy the event with the addition of “complimentary” (at least to them) adult beverages.  

As with the cash bar, you may be able to specify which types of alcoholic beverages the bar will stock.  This will allow you some leeway in pinpointing a final total dollar cost.  (If you stock top-shelf liquors the cost will be much higher – and the opposite is also true.)

As a general rule of thumb, party planners recommend setting aside between $14 and $20 per guest for a 4 hour wedding reception.  Of course a number of factors will affect that such as the guest’s themselves, the time of day the reception is being held, the location of the event, etc.

(It’s always good to assume that your guests, no matter how restrained, will be tempted to take full advantage of something they perceive as “free” or “complimentary.”)

Open bars are subject to the same legal restriction as any other alcoholic beverage service:

• All bars (open or otherwise) must be manned by members of the facilities own staff or by bar tenders hired by a professional catering service
• Alcohol cannot be served to minors (IDs may be required)
• Bar tenders legally must refrain from serving those deemed inebriated
• No alcohol can leave the premises

Find out next month on how to limit the cost of an open bar.  Almansor Court has options in place to help you accommodate your guests and your wallet.

One of the biggest expenses you should expect to incur when planning your wedding, corporate event, or other gathering is the price of the cocktails.  If you choose to serve adult beverages at a hosting facilitysuch as Almansor Court, there are many things to consider.

Generally, these types of facilities do not allow outside alcoholic beverages (or if they do, they charge a “corkage” fee per bottle).  Instead, you are given the options of either having a cash bar or an open bar(also called a hosted bar), either of which lend an heir of elegance and refinement to your event.

There are several differences between the two including you’re obligations, the cost, and the presentation to your guests.  Over the next couple of months we’ll examine both a little more closely.

Cash Bar:

A cash bar at a wedding reception or corporate event functions as would a regular bar or tavern in your local area.  The bar is set up on site and staffed by employees of the facility.  Your guests must pay for each drink themselves.
 
You may be able to request certain beverages be made available above and beyond what the standard “bar” offers – such as a preferred type of whiskey, vodka, or champagne.  However, you should definitely inquire about this far in advance of your event.

There are several advantages of opting for a cash bar, most notably the price.  Because you are not paying for the alcoholic beverages yourself, you can save a tremendous amount of money.
  
Keep in mind that you must often pay a bar set-up fee (Almansor Court charges $95 per event – which is fairly standard across the industry).  This fee includes the extra labor involved in setting up and stocking the bar before your event.  You may also have to pay an additional fee for the staff tending the bar as well, though this is generally worked into your contract as an itemized expense and won’t appear as an after-the-fact charge.

The biggest disadvantage of having a cash bar is the presentation to your guests.  Guests, especially at weddings, may tend to expect an open bar.  Historically, wedding receptions have featured an open bar or hosted bar giving guests the illusion that the beverages are “free” or “complimentary.”  

But cash bars (or some hybrid between a cash bar and a full open bar) are gaining popularity with modern wedding receptions.  In fact, many banquet facilities have begun offering limited alcoholic beverages (such as a glass of wine or cocktail with the meal and a champagne toast) within their standard wedding reception packages.

For non-wedding events such as corporate retreats and networking events cash bars have always been – and continue to be – acceptable.

Next month we’ll delve into what is an Open Bar or Hosted Bar.  Check back soon!.

Last month we shared part 1 of “The Groom’s Checklist“, which included a list of what The Groom would need to do at 3 months and 1 month before the wedding. As the big day approaches, here’s what you Guys need to make sure you handle:

One Week Out (Nervous Yet?)

1. Start a day-of kit.  This should have everything you’re likely to need in it:  a copy of your vows, directions to the ceremony – in case you get any last minute calls from lost relatives, a checklist of toiletries and such you’ll need when getting dressed—especially if you plan to don your tux at the church or wedding venue.  Having this all lined up and ready to go will eliminate crisis situations before they arise.
2. Bach it up.  The night before your wedding is the traditional night of the bachelor party; however, it may not always be the best time to have such a shindig.  Consider having your bachelor party a few days before – to give you time to recover and avoid any “hangover” type delays.
3. Check on the transportation.  This means to and from the wedding venue and to wherever you’re going after that.  Nobody wants to get left behind.

The Day Of (It’s Finally Here)

This is just a short checklist of things you should have with you – all the heavy lifting is already done.

1. The rings – priority number one.
2. The vows – in your pocket at all times, even if you’ve “memorized” them.
3. Your toiletries (including hair product, deodorant, cologne, and the like.
4. The tux
5. The shoes (people forget them all the time – keep them with the tux)
6. Gum, mints, or mouthwash (bad breath ruins the party every time)
7. A comb (in your pocket for “surprise” photo opportunities – it’s your job to make your wife look good)
8. Your best man’s gift (you bought it but you still have to give it to him)
9. A change of clothes for the reception and any parties after (don’t forget the shoes)
10. Your driver’s license and keys.  You don’t want to forget that if you plan on going anywhere after the ceremony.
11. A designated driver – always be safe.

Traditionally, weddings are a woman’s affair.  Yes, the groom does have to show up on the appointed day at the appointed time (or face the wrath of his soon-to-be wife) but that’s really about it – unless you count the months and months of listening to his fiancée plan.  

But there are a few important things that every well-prepared groom must take into account so that he doesn’t hold up the proceedings on that special day or make the ceremony and reception anything less than spectacular.  

So, here’s a groom’s checklist to help all those husbands-to-be avoid spending their wedding night in the doghouse. 

Three Months Out (No, It’s Not too Early)

1. Get fitted for the tux.  This process is relatively simple and hassle-free but too many grooms wait too long to do this and end up rushing at the last minute to get their wedding day outfit lined up.  The key here is that whether you’re renting your tux or having one tailored, it takes time.  Allow plenty of it so that the garment will be ready on the day-of and to take into account any last-minute alterations that you might need.
2. Ask your best man.  If you haven’t done this already, shame on you.  As a guy, it’s easy just to assume that your best bud will stand up with you.  However, that’s not always the case.  Some men choose not to for one reason or another (they don’t like crowds, they want to avoid family conflict, or – heaven forbid – they don’t like the bride).  And when picking your best man, you don’t have to be traditional.  If one of your friends doesn’t want to do it, how about a member of your fiancées family or perhaps – with your wife’s permission – another woman (a sister, cousin, or childhood friend).
3. Scope out a ring.  If you’ve already got the ring, you’re off the hook.  If you haven’t, now is the time to get it done.  It’s more about knowing your wife’s finger-size though.  If she genuinely wants to be surprised you’ll have to do a lot of asking (or listen very carefully to her hints).  If not, bring her in on the search – there’s no better way to make sure you get it right.

One Month Out (Almost There)

1. Check on your tux.  Make sure it’s here (or will be), that it fits, and that it looks like the picture in the catalog or the model that was on display.  There’s only a little time to make sure everything is the right shade of red or that your cuffs aren’t halfway up your leg – so don’t procrastinate.
2. Buy your best man a keepsake.  The best man gift is traditionally something that has meaning between friends.  An engraved flask might seem like a good idea at first but I’m sure there are plenty more personal options out there.
3. Make sure your wife is okay with the guest list.  No matter how clichéd it is, your future wife might not get along with some of her soon-to-be in-laws.  Finalizing the guest list is a good way to avoid wedding day hysterics.  Of course your immediate family should be there but your beer-swilling, loud-mouth cousin who wears the greasy ball cap everywhere might not have to be at the ceremony (sneak him into the reception after the champagne’s been popped).

 Check back soon for your checklist at One Week out and The Day Of!

Anyone coordinating a class reunion these days knows that having a website page with all of the details of the event is a must.  And because we work with Tickethookups.com that’s exactly what you’ll get.  Your own page, privately-braded with all the details of the reunion.   This webpage will be in addition to the announcement we’ll have on our website, allowing people to find out more info, buy tickets and share the event on Facebook and Twitter. 
 
All you’ll have to do is point your guests to the website for directions, times, ticket prices, descriptions of the facility. Not only will you be able to share this page via social networks, but you’ll free yourself from dozens or even hundreds of phone calls and emails.  You won’t have to repeat what’s going on, who will be there, or directions on how to find the place – ever.  In addition to saving you time and money it means there’s less of a chance of information getting “lost” in translation.

And right on that website your guests will find a link through which they can purchase tickets for the event.  This service allows your classmates to do all the “heavy lifting.”  It’s a point, click, and buy affair so you don’t have to worry about handling cash, making sure tickets get delivered (and not lost in the mail), or even keeping track of the guest count – it’s all done for you.

They even have tons of free guest parking available.

But don’t let that level of service fool you.  Your class reunion doesn’t have to be a formal affair.  You should never let the venue dictate how your event goes down.  The right venue will tailor the event to fit your needs, whether that be classy and elegant or laid back and casual.  

And, as far as pricing goes, Almansor Court is one of the most affordable venues of its size.  In fact, their competitive pricing and available discounts (including group rate pricing) means that you can get all the venue you need for a price that you’ll be comfortable with.  The money you save can be put toward entertainment, bar service, keepsakes and mementoes, or even reinvested for your next reunion.
  
Planning your class reunion shouldn’t suck all of the fun out of the reunion.  Everyone (including those behind the scenes who made the event happen) should be able to relax, enjoy themselves, and have fun catching up with old friends.  So when you’re planning your event, look for a venue that makes the process as hassle-free as possible. 

Class reunions are a blast!  They’re a great opportunity to catch up with old friends you’ve fallen out of touch with, see what people are doing now, laugh at how much you’ve all changed (or stayed the same), and generally reminisce about those good old days.  But planning class reunions can be a pain.  Especially since the responsibility for the whole thing falls on the shoulders of a few volunteers.

One of the hardest parts is searching through all of the class reunion venues to find the perfect one.  Everybody has their own list of ideal class reunion venues and everybody thinks their class reunion location ideas are best, but there are few things everybody agrees on.

The venue has to be:

• Centrally located
• Roomy enough for your crowd
• Full-service enough to suit your needs
• AND still be affordable 

And when you think you’ve narrowed the field down you should always ask about:

• The various rooms, halls, or outdoor locations they offer
• Group rates or special discounts
• Menu availability and customizability (if you’re having the event catered by the same company)
• The amount of parking available
• Any restrictions the venue may have (such as music outside after certain hours)
• Adaptability due to unforeseen events such as changes in the weather
• If anyone is available to help with the planning process
• About any incidental services they offer (staffed bar, valet parking, coat check, etc.)

As you can see, the list goes far beyond “what kind of music should we play?”

But planning the perfect reunion and finding that perfect venue doesn’t have to be hard.  Just minutes from L.A., Burbank, and Pasadena, Almansor Court the premier Banquet Facility in Alhambra specializes in making event planning easy.  Their helpful catering staff can help you plan a memorable class reunion.  Booking your event with Almansor Court means you’ll be able to take advantage of some premier services that you won’t find with other facilities.  Check back soon to find out more about the time and money saving services they offer.

In our last post we shared the first tip to keep in mind when planning a Sweet 16 party – Set a Budget.  This week we are going to talk about how setting realistic expectations and choosing the right Sweet 16 venue in Los Angeles can make all the difference.

Set Realistic Expectations

MTV’s Super Sweet 16 has set the bar unrealistically high when it comes to Sweet 16 parties. This means that some parents are willing to spend far more than necessary in order to try and compete with what they see on the show. 

At the start of your sweet 16 planning, talk to your child about how often times comparing themselves with others will lead to disappointment. Explain that their sweet 16 party will be unique and special, but that comparing is not productive.

Selecting The Sweet 16 Venue

The single most important decision that you will make is choosing a venue. When looking for a party location in San Gabriel Valley, you want to find one that has lovely rooms, a helpful staff and a flexible menu. Almansor Court is a wonderful choice. They have menu options to suit a variety of budgets. You can customize the menu to make sure that you don’t go over budget. 

The helpful staff will guide you through the party planning process so that no venue-related detail will be forgotten. 

Almansor Court is a fabulous party location in San Gabriel Valley. Keep the above sweet 16 planning tips in mind so that your teenager will have a party that is memorable but that won’t break the bank.

In recent years some sweet 16 parties have become more like lavish weddings that a child’s party. While turning 16 is certainly a milestone worth celebrating, not everyone has the means or desire to throw a party worthy of a hip-hop music mogul. The good news is that you don’t have to take a second mortgage to throw a fabulous sweet 16 party. Over the next couple of weeks we will be posting some sweet 16 planning tips that will help you keep it reasonable and still please your teen.  The first tip is about “Budget”.

Set a Budget

This is the same advice given to brides, and it is just as important when planning a sweet 16 party. One of the most important sweet 16 planning tips that you will hear is to set a budget and then stick to it. This involves more than setting a total dollar amount for the entire event. You must also break down the budget into categories so that as you plan the party you will have a clear understanding regarding how much you can spend on each detail. Some of the categories you should include in your budget are:

• Food
• Attire
• Gifts
• Transportation
• Music

Once you have decided on a budget, sit down and go over it with your teen. As you go about the planning, you can allow them to make decisions with the understanding that going outside of the budget  is not an option.

Our next post will discuss the single most important decision you can make for the sweet 16 party – The Venue!

December is a busy time of year for us here at Almansor Court, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. One of the reasons that we stay busy is that many businesses are looking for ways to thank their employees and/or clients during the holiday season. 

Share-a-Holiday

If you want to treat your employees to a holiday event, but don’t have the time or budget to host a party, Almansor Court’s Share-a-Holiday event is the perfect solution. Gather up everyone from the office and treat them to an all-you-can-eat buffet, dancing and door prizes. 

Share-a-Holiday costs only $17.95 per person, plus tax and service charge. The event takes place on Tuesday, December 13th from 11-3. Reservations are required and space will fill up fast! Call 626-570-4600to reserve your spots today.

Planning proms, formals and other school events can be a lot of work; but it doesn’t have to be that way! Almansor Court, a banquet facility located in the San Gabriel Valley, hosts dozens of school events every year. Our staff is skilled at working with the school’s planning committee to ensure that the event comes off even better than you could have imagined. 

Almansor Court has already booked several such events for this school year, and we know one thing that is important is developing a theme. Below are a couple of ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Winter Wonderland

This is a theme that Almansor Court has helped perfect many times. Imagine everything covered in white, with a variety of snowflakes hanging and resting all over the room. This theme lends itself perfectly to the fairy tale feel that many teenagers have imagined for their prom night or other special dance.

Red Carpet Glamour

This theme will encourage party-goers to break out their most glamorous formal wear. Set up a red carpet where the paparazzi (also known as the event photographer) can capture the “celebrities” as they enter the room. Almansor Court can help you incorporate décor ideas straight from the biggest events in Hollywood and translate them for use at your school’s very own red carpet event. 

With the right help, planning a school’s special event doesn’t have to be stressful. Let Almansor Court help you make your next prom, formal or other event the best one your students have ever seen.

Planning a wedding takes a lot of knowledge and planning. Keeping up with the latest bridal trends is important if you want your wedding to be the best event possible. One way to get up-to-date on all things bridal is to attend a bridal show.

Almansor Court will be hosting a Bridal Showcase on October 4, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. And there are so many good reasons to take time to attend this event.

1.    Just as the world of fashion is ever evolving, so is the world of bridal. The Bridal Showcase gives you a chance to see the latest bridal trends in one place.

2.    The food is a big part of any wedding. At the Bridal Showcase, you will have a chance to sample menu items instead of having to make a special trip just for that purpose.

3.    Catering specialists will be on hand to talk with you about your upcoming wedding. They will be able to give you some insight into what you need to offer guests and can answer any questions that you might have.

4.    Brides will have a chance to see the banquet room decked out in all of its bridal glory. It can be difficult to imagine how beautiful a room could be – and sometimes looking at pictures doesn’t give you the full effect. At the Bridal Showcase, you will be able to see just how gorgeous our rooms are when dressed up for a special event.

Don’t miss this chance to take your wedding planning to the next level.R.S.V.P. by September 29th by calling 626-570-4600. We look forward to meeting many new brides and helping you to make your day unforgettable.

Favors

Providing favors to participants of your corporate event is a detail that is often overlooked by novice corporate event planners. The first thing you will need to do is set a budget for the favors. Once you know how much you can spend, you can begin to explore the options.

You will want to make a final decision about favors several weeks before the event. This will allow time for mail order items to arrive and for any necessary assembly.

Transportation

If you will be providing any transportation for participants, then you need to book the cars or buses as soon as you have a date. Remember, you will be competing for the cars or buses with weddings, bachelor parties and other special events. To have your choice of vehicles, book early.

Food

Selecting a caterer can be one of the most challenging parts of corporate event planning. Some venues are able to provide the food for the event. Choosing such a venue is the best way to drastically cut your workload related to planning the event.

If you do need to choose a caterer, you need to start the selection process right away – even before you have an exact date. Narrow down your choices so that when you do have a date you will be able to book your selected caterer right away.

You will also need to consider: photography, parking, interactive game logistics and lighting. Finally, one of the most important choices you will make is the venue.

Venue

Of course, not every corporate event will require all of the items listed above. The good news is that choosing the right corporate event venuecan greatly lighten your load. Some things to consider are size of the banquet rooms, location and amenities. When you handle your corporate event planning through Almansor Court, the helpful staff will handle many of the other details for you.

Call today to learn how Almansor Court can offer you some business event planning tips that will make organizing your next corporate event a breeze.