Cocktail’s Bar Services (Cocktails) has been serving San Antonio’s event industry for almost seven years. The idea for such services stemmed from owner, Lisa Scherrer’s own experience in the bar and restaurant industry. After working for years for different companies, Lisa decided to venture out on her own and launched Cocktails in 2003. First starting with staffing for caterers, venues and events, then in 2007 they were granted licensure by TABC to provide full bar and catering services.

Cocktails offers clients the option of doing an open bar, cash bar or partial cash bar for their next event. For an open bar, the client would bring in the alcohol and Cocktails would serve it to their guests. Or, for a nominal fee per person, you can have Cocktails do all the work and provide all of the alcohol and mixers so that you don’t have to worry about a thing on your special day. For brides on a budget, a cash bar is a wonderful option. You simply pay for the set up and your guests pay for the drinks. If you would like to offer your guest some beverages, but do not want to break the bank, a partial cash bar would do the trick. You could do a cocktail hour, where you pick up the tab during a 1-2 hour timeframe and then a cash bar the rest of the evening. Another option is providing beer and wine free of charge for your guests, but if they would like hard liquor, they can pay for that themselves.

Making their mark in the event world of San Antonio, Cocktails works approximately 75-100 events per year and provides services for events exceeding 3000 guests. They are also very comfortable working at Plaza Lecea because they have the same priorities as we do: Keep the client happy (the night time view is a plus too)! They continuously work with their clients to provide the best service and customize packages to fit their budget. They also take that extra step to ensuring client satisfaction on the day of their event as well by assisting caterers when needed, arriving early for set up and staying late to help with the clean up, or providing a special drink recipe for an individual’s wedding party.

A bar service tends to be an after-thought, but in reality it is an integral part of a successful event! Don’t leave it to last minute to book or hand it off to your groom. Here is some insight from Lisa about the importance of a professional bar service,

“Brides should remember that as well as the venue, caterer and decorations, the bar service is a vital part of an enjoyable wedding. A professional, responsible and courteous service will always leave a lasting impression on your guests. We spend most of the event providing service to your party, (so) don’t let your bar service be an after-thought in your planning. Cocktails will help you decide on a service to fit your budget and can also provide you great contacts and suggestions, for all your needs on your special day.”

The Essentials: Website: www.cocktailservices.com Phone: 210.363.8025; Email: info@cocktailservices.com. Click here to see all of their happy client’s testimonials: www.cocktailservices.com/testimonials.htm

We get this question all of the time, so we thought we’d share some information on how to obtain your marriage license here in San Antonio.

Where you need to go:

Bexar County Clerk’s Office, 1st floor 

300 Dolorosa, San Antonio, TX 78205

Phone: (210) 335-2221

When you can get it:

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

What you’ll need to bring:

• Proof of age and identity (i.e. Driver’s License, Miltary ID, Passport)
• Social Security card
• $36 cash (they do not accept checks or credit cards)
• If you have been married previously, a copy of your divorce decree

Important things to remember:

• 72 hour waiting period after you obtain license before you can get married
• Only good for 30 days
• Must have present at your ceremony (this might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s happened before!)

Here are some of our recommendations for creating a blissful wedding planning experience!

1. BUDGET: Create a budget and stick to it.  It may be a good idea to have a percentage reserved for small overages and those things you just have to have, but try to keep things in check.  This will eliminate the most common arguments between you and your fiancé, and you and your family. Great resources like Martha Stewart’s Planning Tools (http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/planning-tools) or TheKnot.com’s Tools (http://www.theknot.com/pl_main.html) can help you track where you are spending your money.  
2. WEDDING DATE: Your budget will go further if you select dates that don’t fall near to holidays such as Christmas, New Years or Valentines Day. While our pricing stays the same all year around, you may see some additional expenses from other vendors for premium dates.  Availability tends to be very limited and you can expect to pay a premium for all rentals during these dates.  Also consider Friday or Sunday weddings. We offer anywhere from $200-$800 off the price for those days. If you go with a Friday wedding, remember to start the reception a bit later, around 7 p.m. so that guests who work will have time to go home and change first. Sunday receptions are great if Monday is a holiday (think President’s Day, Memorial Day or Labor Day).
3. GET ORGANIZED: Keep notes on each vendor that include all contact information, price quotes and what is included with each quote. Notate each phone call or save emails to document what was said. We keep a CRM w/all communication with our clients, but make sure you are doing so with all your vendors. Keep in touch on a regular basis to ensure that you both are up to date on the latest decisions.  Design a timetable of what details need to be taken care of each month (or you can find helpful checklists on SanAntonioweddings.com or TheKnot.com), so you can keep on top of everything without feeling overwhelmed.
4. GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING: and make sure every change is initialed, etc. Before leaving the vendor go over the notes to ensure that you understood what they said.  Like all trades the event center industry has their own vocabulary, be sure that you ask questions concerning the meaning of words that you do not understand   Do not be embarrassed for asking questions, it is important to you to understand everything that you are committing to pay for.  You do not want to be surprised on your wedding day or when the bill comes. 
5. RECEPTION SCHEDULE:  We include an itinerary and coordinator in every package, but come prepared to your appointments with a vision of how you want the event to take place. We help you create a timeline that will include when you want to be announced and how, the approx. time to serve dinner, cut the cake, toast, and begin your first dance, garter and bouquet toss and all other wedding formalities.  These are just approximate but it will save you from being bombarded by questions during the night, and will ensure everything you want done flows smoothly. 
6. ASK FOR HELP:  Enlist help: if you don’t have a wedding planner, delegate tasks:  planning a wedding is a big event with lots of details.  Don’t stress yourself out by doing it all yourself.  This is a happy event and friends and family are usually eager to help. For example, give your finance tasks like selecting the dj, slideshow, or bar service- things he can relate to. Have your bridesmaids over to help with the menus, placecards and favors. They will all feel like a bigger part of the day and you will have one more thing crossed off your checklist.  
7. LAST MINUTE DETAILS – Enlist trusted friends or family for “last minute details” (taking favors and sign-in book, dropping off and taking away centerpieces, taking gifts after reception). Don’t overload yourself of the big day, you will have enough to do with hair, make up, dress, pictures, etc. Arrange for transportation from the reception to your hotel or wherever you will be staying.  Then you can enjoy your party and not worry about designating a driver. 
8. CAKE:  Have the caterer cut the cake- it is worth the small extra charge.  Cake cutting is time consuming and messy, don’t put your mom through it! 
9. SHOES:  Bring comfortable shoes to the reception (pretty and comfortable sandals). You want to be able to dance the night away! And if they are seen, no one will care, you are going to be beautiful anyway! Remember to try to get heeled sandles so that your dress does not drag on the ground. You’ll be happy you did! Another recommendation, purchase inexpensive flip flops from Old Navy or Walmart and leave them in the restroom for your female guests to wear during the reception. They have probably been on their feet all day in heels, so having some comfortable shoes for them to dance in will be a welcomed relief.  
10. RELAX:  Don’t forget that this is a FUN, HAPPY EVENT- A special day for both of you and a day for rejoicing. The whole point is to celebrate the marriage of you and your fiancé with your loved ones and friends. The event is going to fly right by so take a few private moments with your new husband when you can and take mental pictures of the special moments. Don’t let minute details distract you from having fun, chances are no one will ever know. Relax and enjoy!

When deciding on what type of service style you would like for your reception, consider budget, time and formality of your event.

Sit-down dinner:

If you want a formal atmosphere and have the budget for a multiple course dinner, a seated meal is your best option. Seated meals typically require more time for service, so if you are limited with time or really want to get out on the dance floor right away, this may not be the best route to go. Fun ways to incorporate your couple personality into your seated meal would be with personalized names for each course or doing fare from your first date—like Italian if you went to Maggiano’s on your first date).

Also remember when doing a seated meal you will want your food to be served on china, which typically runs $4-$10 more per person depending on the stemware, flatware and plates that you choose. One of our caterer’s, Columbia Culinary Team makes sure that all of their food is served on china and is included in your package price. Brides always ask about the price difference between seated and buffet meals and seated meals only cost more than buffets because of the amount of staff needed to serve all of your guests. Approximate one server per every two tables so that your guests are not waiting for too long to get their next course.

Buffet or food stations:

Buffets are the most popular style of food service at Plaza Lecea. Many brides and corporate clients like the variety offered with food and the lower cost of service. Lots of guests enjoy buffets because they can pick and choose what they want to eat and the amount. Don’t worry too much about running out because every caterer brings a little extra to make sure that everyone will get a plate! Don’t forget to ask your caterer about added décor for the buffet as well. We always love the trendy stuff that An Event to Remember and True Flavors bring over when they do buffet services at our facility. Also remember when choosing a buffet, you have the option of serving your food on nice acrylic plates (standard) or you can upgrade to china.

Worried about guests standing in line for too long? We love having our overhead screen and projector in the Boardroom because guests are able to watch slideshows of the couples while they wait. They never complain while oohing and ahhing over the couple’s childhood pictures!

We have had a lot of fun food stations at Plaza Lecea. One of our favorites was Hill Country Catering’s pizza station for a recent Quinceanera. The teens (and adults!) got to choose what toppings they wanted and in less than five minutes they had their own personal pizza ready to enjoy. We have also had stations based on ethnicity and locale:

Mexican Comida: Quesadillas, nachos, fajitas, tacos

Asian Cuisine: Sushi, pot stickers, and different types of rice

Classic American: Mashed potato bar, pizzas, mac-n-cheese (w/yummy bacon, mushrooms and chicken toppings!)

Italian Fare: Pasta bar with different veggies and proteins (sausage, chicken)

Family style:

Family style service has really caught on in the past couple of years. What is family style, you ask? Our best way of explaining it is kind of like a buffet at your table. Servers bring out large platters of food and you get to share those platters amongst the table. So if you don’t really dig asparagus, or want an extra helping of scalloped potatoes, you can help yourself! It also gives your guests an opportunity to get to know each other because people really bond over food and those extra helpings.

Family style does require more staff to ensure that your guests are served in a timely fashion, but it’s worth it in the end. Absolutely Delicious Catering and Columbia Culinary Team specialize in family-style service. Remember that like a sit-down dinner, family style service takes time! Generally speaking, make sure you have at least an hour to an hour and a half for service.

Cocktail reception:

If you don’t wanna spring for an elaborate meal, or if you and your soon-to-be hubby want to have a casual reception, hors’ duerves are an awesome way to serve food and show off your personalities. All of our caterers have appetizer options to choose from (some of our fav’s include Absolutely Delicious Catering’s Chicken Diablo and Spice of Life’s Meatballs) but they also can create a completely custom and unique menu for your reception.  

Just remember to start your reception a little later if you are planning to have a cocktail reception because if guests arrive at 5:00 p.m. for the event, they are most likely expecting a full meal.

Bon appetit!