Our dear friend and assistant Jennifer’s husband is an avid duck hunter.  For their wedding, we set up a duck-hunting-themed cigar bar behind the reception hall, complete with a wine barrel table and duck decoys from the groom’s grandfather.  The centerpiece was a photos of (her husband) Pat holding a veritable paddle of ducks in his left hand.  His right arm was slung across his dad’s shoulder and in his mouth - a giant stogie.    Next to our other beloved Annette’s (the brides’ sister) rapping “toast”, the cigar bar was the undisputed hit of the evening.  At one point I looked up from the dance floor and realized that 2/3 of the party was gone…they had simply vanished.  20 minutes later the dance floor was packed again…this time smelling more than a bit of smoke and ash.  When we cleaned up at the end of the night there was nary a cigar band left. People ate (or should I say inhaled) it up!

My (now) brother-in-law is from Kentucky, the home of bourbon and so it only seemed fitting that Freda honored him with a tasting bar!  My sister made an adorable sign to hang over the bar, and the Coire wrote up tasting notes.  Bottles were set out, and guests sampled all night long!  It was an awesome idea. Folks would sidle up to the bar, check out the bourbons, and inevitably begin discussing the pros and cons of each brand.  It was a great way for out-of-towners and locals to mix and mingle.