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Bridal BFF comes from The Lumen House, a wedding venue just outside Charlotte, so we've had a front row seat to a whole lot of wedding planning. Each week, owner Britt Loukos and some of the top experts in the wedding industry tell you what they'd tell a friend over coffee: how the money works, what to ask before you sign anything, and the parts of planning nobody warns you about. No gatekeeping, no sugarcoating, just real answers from people who do this every day.
I am really excited to be here at the Lumen House offers an in-house bar and it is through Bartenders Plus who's here with us right now.
So yeah, can you introduce us?
Of course.
I'm Jake. I'm one of the owners of the company. I've been part of the operation for 11 years now.
I'm Josh. I've been some marketing manager for the company. I have been in the office since fall of 23. So going on three years.
Awesome.
Take me back to when Bartenders Plus started. What was the problem you're trying to solve?
This was actually the brainchild of my business partner, Nelson. He started the company 15 years ago and he had seen that there was a substantial opportunity for bartending operations in the Charlotte market at that time.
It quickly became something that he wanted some assistance in. So he reached out to me and we have taken the operation and grown it since then.
As far as the problems that we were trying to solve, it really was about taking the company, taking a general bar service operation and elevating it, right?
You know, taking it and making it something that not only could we be proud of, but the guests and clients could.
I'm so proud and impressed with the production that we have and the heart behind it is we have a bar in house.
And I think that a lot of times brides really are looking to like choose their own adventure and pick all of their own vendors.
And I so understand that. And we have chosen to partner with you guys because we see so much value and we love the relationship.
We love the humans behind Bartenders Plus and we love the drinks behind Bartenders Plus.
And so we really wanted to bring you in because not all of the customers get to meet you at the front of the sales cycle when they're picking out their venue and deciding on a date.
And when they're evaluating the Lumen House and they think to themselves, oh, my goodness, the Lumen House has an in-house bar.
It's going to be stuffy. It's going to be lame. The drinks aren't going to be good.
The team's not going to be good.
And I want to show them that, like, no, actually, we picked this team and we handpicked this team and curated this team because we believe in it so much.
I think it's incumbent upon any company to always want to grow and do better.
So the problem that we're solving at any given time is how do we continue to elevate our services?
How do we continue to provide a service that not only can we be proud of, but clients can look back on it and say, man, I am so thankful I made that decision.
After 15 years, what is something people assume is simple but is really hard to get right?
Oh, I would say cocktail hour.
That's right. I was thinking the exact same thing.
Very important.
Yes. And you know what? It was one of the first weddings that we did with you guys.
And I watched you thrive in cocktail hour. I was like, I need to sit down with them.
Like, they are so good. So tell me about it. Tell me about cocktail hour.
Well, cocktail hour, there can be so much that's happening in such a short amount of time.
Like, not only do you have to be ready for the rush that's going to come because everybody's going to flood the bar as soon as ceremony cuts out.
Yeah.
But you're balancing that with the need for perhaps like staging for, say, like a formal toast if that's going to be taking place.
You've got to get ready for tray passing if that's what clients want.
You have to get ready for table side service if that's what they're looking for.
You might have some extras like champagne towers or walls or anything else that needs to be set up at that time.
So when it's done properly and when you are able to map out logistically the operation itself, it really can be absolutely flawless.
Mm-hmm.
I mean, I think you covered it perfectly.
But yeah, just when you're incorporating things like signature drinks, champagne toast, champagne walls, sometimes clients really want to see those signature cocktails being tray passed during cocktail hour.
Mm-hmm.
And we just want to make sure that we have presents everywhere.
Yeah.
Presence behind the bar if we have guests that just want to come there for beer and wine, you know, presents if we're, you know, passing them around for guests that are maybe still taking some pictures or, you know, touring the grounds or something like that.
So, I mean, I think Jake covered pretty much everything, but definitely just being present because like we said, there's a lot of moving parts for cocktail hour.
So it's fun.
It's definitely fun.
It is fun.
That's one of my favorite times at the wedding.
Yeah, same.
Truly.
That's pretty much where the energy is, is in cocktail hour, right?
Everyone's thirsty.
When couples are shopping for a bar company, what are questions they are asking you and what questions do you wish they were asking?
I would say that a lot of the questions that clients are asking are what we would typically think of.
It's how many bartenders do I need for this number of folks?
You know, what sort of services do you offer?
What are your prices?
You know, a lot of the generals.
As far as what I wish they were asking, I mean, I wish clients were more like, why you guys?
Yeah.
Why not somebody else?
What sets you guys apart from everybody else?
You know, because there's a lot of competition out there.
Right.
I think that's great.
Yeah.
No, I would have to agree.
I think that that question gives us a chance to really flex our muscles, so to speak, and speak positively about why, you know, I would consider us the best of the best.
I really do.
I think we have such a great team.
I think that we are really thorough.
We're very involved in every part of the process.
And so I think when clients ask us more about our experience on the back end, right, how many weddings we've done, things like that, an opportunity for us to really just kind of give them insight into our history and why we're so good at what we do.
100%.
Yeah.
That's good.
Mobile bartending looks cheaper on paper.
How do you explain what's actually different about what you do from a mobile bartender?
Well, yeah.
I mean, I think that's the reality for a lot of operations in general.
Like, anytime you're booking a vendor for services, a lot of clients don't understand that there's a lot more nuance to the services that you're going to provide for them.
And those nuances are going to add to cost.
Yeah.
What's different about us is the hospitality that we bring to services.
You know, customer service is paramount in this industry.
Nobody wants to go to a bar and not have that friendly interaction that we also desire to have.
You know, you just want it to be comfortable and easy.
The professionalism that we bring as well.
The experience that we bring.
You know, this company's been around for 15 years.
I've been bartending for 23 years.
Josh, a little less.
I've been bartending for a while.
It's been a very long time.
I'm not going to age myself, but I've been bartending for a while.
And I think he said it.
I think he said it perfectly.
It's the experience that we bring.
Yeah.
I think we really do bring a great blend of professionalism and knowledge within the bar industry, but also personalities.
And we love what we do.
Like you mentioned before, you know, our staff genuinely love to be a part of these kinds of celebrations.
And that shines through our service.
Yeah.
Yeah.
If I can speak on my experience with you guys, though, as well.
Anytime that I do show up at an event, it's typically around cocktail hour.
I mean, I'm in and out a lot.
But that's one touch point for me that I am on site frequently during that time.
And I usually do like a bar check-in or sometime it's during ceremony right before we get to cocktail hour.
And one thing that I've clocked about you guys is you always have a lot of knowledge about the couple.
Right.
So and I think that's one thing that really sets you apart is because I'll ask, you know, how's the day going?
And you'll say, great, bride this, bride that.
I know she really wanted whatever.
And she got her thing and, you know, we did this little special thing as well.
And like all of her drinks are ready.
And, you know, they're two and a half minutes over or they're one minute late, which obviously you're very fine with that.
But just the awareness that you have on the whole day.
So when I walk in, I'm like just getting a temperature gauge from you guys.
There's not logistical obstacles to overcome on the bar side that I think not always, of course, not always.
But sometimes you do see that more with like the mobile bar services.
And the second thing is your staffing.
Your staffing is great.
Amazing.
Every single person is great.
But also the number of people on your staff is appropriate.
You don't overstaff so much that, you know, it's not the most it's not efficient cost wise for the client.
We don't have people standing around.
I've seen both.
That's a good point, too.
Yeah, that's not that's annoying.
Yeah, you just it's optics.
It's optics.
Right.
So you want to staff there appropriately appropriately, because like you said, that way you have people.
Everyone's in motion.
You're seeing things getting done.
You're seeing the wheels in motion.
And I think that's important.
Yeah.
But there's never a line either.
Right.
It's like that perfect sweet spot.
So it just you know, you can have a wonderful personality.
But if you're a one person show at 150 person wedding, you're going to drown.
No one's going to see you.
Right.
You're going to be in the weeds the whole time.
Mm hmm.
Yeah.
And I think that's like what we were talking about for cocktail hour, just being prepared,
being prepared in the beginning and everything running smoothly.
And that just allows us to shine.
Mm hmm.
Yeah.
Because that's the first impression that these attendees are getting of you.
Yeah.
It is so important that it goes well.
Mm hmm.
Mm hmm.
Well, that's a really good point.
Is there something you've seen happen at a wedding, not yours, that illustrates why it
matters to use a professional bar service like yourself?
I think we've all been to those weddings where you get in line for cocktail hour and it's
35 minutes before you're getting a drink.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Nobody wants to wait that long for a cocktail.
No.
Because that's kind of like when the party's really able to start.
Mm hmm.
You know, that's when you start unwinding and relaxing and really kick off with, you know,
the celebration of everything that's going on.
Right.
Because you're coming together in fellowship for such a momentous and important occasion.
I think that really is kind of the touch point of all of it.
Nobody wants a bad cocktail hour.
That's true.
Yeah.
You're right.
I've been to weddings before and like he said, you know, there's either maybe longer wait
times than you'd like or maybe the bar knowledge isn't quite there if it's a full bar and you
want certain drinks and, you know, maybe they're not familiar with them.
Um, or, or don't necessarily have everything to make them.
And so I think that that just adds to our motivation to do what we do the right way and
have such a strong presence when we're on site and really provide that experience with
a full bar and just really just adding to the magic of that day.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I think it's important.
I like that.
Alcohol at weddings, as we know, is expensive.
Everything at weddings is expensive.
Everything at weddings is expensive.
We know what our couples, what our couples actually paying for when they hire us bar.
They're, they're paying for high end top notch bartending services.
I mean, when it, when you really get down to the nitty gritty, you're, you're paying for,
like we were talking about before you're paying for hospitality.
You're paying for professionalism.
You're paying for decades of experience and knowledge and you're paying for the certainty
that you're going with the bar company.
That's going to take amazing care of not only the wedding couple, but all of their guests
and attendees.
Yeah.
And I can end that.
No, no.
Well said.
I mean, yeah.
Like I said, we're going to, every time it's going to be, it's going to be professional staff,
knowledgeable staff.
Um, so thank perfectly said.
Yeah.
Some other things that I also want to touch on, um, is our specific bar packages.
So can you, uh, you know, people see our beautiful list of beer and wine and the cocktails and
mocktails, but the fine print, tell me more about all of the other components that come
with the bar.
The accoutrements that are included.
Wow.
I would have not been able to say that with a yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Accoutrement.
Fancy cans.
Yeah.
Accoutrement.
I'll practice that.
Yes.
You did perfect.
I thought it sounded great.
That was great.
Accoutrement.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
That was one or two people.
Oh, I did not speak French.
Oh my goodness.
Oh my gosh.
He's getting fancy.
Oh my goodness.
So ultimately every bar package is structured in a way that it's always going to be accompanied
by the most commonly requested mixers, juices, sodas, and garnishes, uh, for whenever somebody
wants to order any of like your classic cocktails.
So that's going to include things like cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, orange juice, um, pineapple
juice, sour mix, grenadine, tonic water, club soda, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, ginger ale,
you know?
And I mean, you can keep going with all of it.
And there's just such a myriad drinks that you can make with all of those mixers and juices
and everything.
Cool.
At the Lumen House, glassware is always included in all of our passengers.
Yes.
Okay.
It's all about keeping up appearances.
Yes.
Yes.
It does add to the experience, I think.
Right.
It just makes everything look so much more elevated.
Yeah.
Absolutely.
I agree.
I mean, a glassware.
Oh yeah.
Especially to talking about the quality of cocktails that you guys are making, um, to make something
so special, uh, like the craft cocktails that we have.
Yeah.
And then to put it in a nice glass, I think just elevates the experience.
Exactly.
It really does.
Yeah.
Um, why does it matter to you personally that the bar at someone's wedding is done right?
Oh, that is a wonderful question.
I think at the end of the day, this is, this is, um, it's another day at work for all of
us, right?
Um, cause this is what we do professionally, but this is a lifetime memory that somebody
is making in these moments that they are trusting us with these bar services.
And so it is, it is incumbent upon us to make sure that this day is absolutely spectacular
for each and every client.
Yeah.
Couldn't agree more.
I think you just, um, hit the nail right on the head.
It's, it's the most, it's one of the most important days of their lives.
And so you just want everything to, you just want to execute their vision.
You want to help them bring their vision to life.
And I just think, you know, that's why we do what we do because we're committed to that
and we recognize how important that is.
Yeah.
You know, that's good.
Um, what did you have to see or experience at the Lumen House before you understood what
this place actually is or what it feels like?
I'll do this one first.
Okay.
Go ahead.
Go ahead.
We were actually, we did cheat a little.
We kind of talked about this question beforehand.
You're supposed to.
That's fine.
Um, but I remember the glow gathering that we did here, which I thought was so cool because
when we got here, I think you, uh, there were a lot of people that were doing yoga.
They were preparing to, you know, they were all spread on the lawn and the sun was shining
and the animals were all around the perimeter, which was a lot of fun.
And, um, I know people were down there engaging with them and there were so many vendors,
you know, really talented industry professionals, you know, and this, this reception area, this
space was being utilized fully.
And there were just so many moving parts.
And I just was like, wow, this is just such a cool vision being executed here.
It was beautiful.
Um, and such energy.
And that's just really when I was like, okay, I see this place now it's, it's moving.
It's pumping.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
I think for me, it was the Western Lux event.
Yeah.
It was such a good time.
It was amazing to see the entirety of the venue being utilized in its, in its best capacity.
I absolutely love that event.
Thanks.
I, there's so many client weddings that are like pillars in my mind and like core memories
because when I was dreaming up and creating the space, I like pictured her.
I maybe had something in my head of like someone dancing in the greenhouse with their arms up
and then I see it and I like clock it and I just, it's always really special.
And then on the other side, I feel like when we get to do hosted events, when we get to
decide how the space is going to be used, it hits in a different way.
That's also really special because I do feel like we can highlight it in a way that maybe
people haven't thought about or activate different spaces in a way that, um, pushes things a
little bit outside of what you would expect.
Like glow gathering was very different Pilates.
Um, the main reception hall was being used as, um, the different vendors were selling
services or, um, they're doing many facials in here.
I think to a sunscreen bar jewelry.
Yeah.
It was so cool.
There was a DJ, right?
Sure.
Just, I don't know.
I loved it.
I loved it.
And another little thing too, on the hosted events, that's really special to me.
We are unapologetically rural.
We are out in the middle of nowhere.
I think that is part of the charm with the Lumen House.
Sure.
Yeah.
And as someone who lives here as well and like lives on the road and we have so many,
a lot of our neighbors have become really good friends of ours.
It's just so nice to feel like there's community here too.
Yeah.
Um, it's definitely a dream to have one of those.
So it's such a refined venue space, but also it has the charm of, like you said, being
so rural.
So it's like the best of both worlds.
Yeah.
Walk me through what happens after a couple books you, what does that look like before
wedding day?
Hmm.
I w I would say that it, it all begins with us going through our checklist that ensures
that we're not letting anything slip through.
Right.
So that means that we're going to have active conversations about, uh, the timelines.
Yeah.
Um, what they would like served.
Uh, if there are any moving parts that we want to be abreast of like champagne toasts
or walls or anything like that.
Um, the, the couple of months leading up to it, we're going to be doing multiple check-ins
to make sure that we're getting updated information.
Uh, we're reaching out to offer our assistance with anything that they may need to take care
of on their end.
Um, yeah.
I mean, yeah, I would say all of that.
If we have a chance to talk to the couple, the clients directly, then it's an opportunity
for us to, you know, cover if there's anything really special that they want to add to their
services that they would like to see, um, or, or special attention to any special guests.
So we, we try to be as thorough as we can and, and, you know, get engaged with the client,
with the vendors, the venue, everything like that.
So we do try and, um, get as much information as we can before services so that we can really
execute it.
Or taking care of any extras like tastings or anything like that.
True.
You know, you're talking and it's this, this is exactly where the two Venn diagrams overlap
in my mind of like, I always thought that I would have to pick between two.
You either have, um, like a smaller, we'll call it mobile bar services.
There's a lot of good mobile bar services.
So I just don't, I want to make that very clear.
Um, I always thought there were two options that you could go a mobile bar service route,
which is going to be like very curated and sweet, um, and still professional, but it's
different than, um, like a corporate catering company.
And there's benefits to both.
And what I feel like you guys have done is like both of those Venn diagrams overlap.
Cause I hear you talking about it and you have the heart of a small business, but then
you have the machine.
Like the execution.
The execution, you know, the process, the 15 years of experience as like, um, a big
fish.
And it just, it's so good.
Okay.
I hear you talk about that though, um, about what happens when a couple of books you like,
you clearly have your logistics dialed in.
And that's, that's why we see it at cocktail hour.
Anyways, I could go on.
Um, you go all out for bars, bar tasting, even if there's two couples here.
Why is that?
No, I mean, a lot of times this is the first impression that they're getting at the company.
Right.
And first impressions are insanely important.
They're critical.
I mean, it's not, it's not the end all be all, but it's such a good opportunity to showcase
to clients that what they're going to be receiving.
Right.
And so when you can really wow them with that experience, you're going to put their minds
at ease so that they know that they're in good hands.
Absolutely.
Um, I mean, yeah, I don't know if I can even, you're going first.
You go first up and next one.
And getting all the good answers.
Okay.
What does, I think I've seen you both here for them, but you go ahead.
Um, what does the couple actually experience at the bar tasting?
Oh, okay.
Good question.
I think, and, and also just to kind of echo what he was saying before, you know, I think
every couple, no matter if it's two couples or eight couples, they all deserve the same
level of experience, the same level of attention, the same level of care and effort that we put
in because, you know, it's, it's a special day for everybody.
Um, I think what they can experience at the tasting, what they can expect to see is kind
of a full scale replica of what they're going to see when they have their bar services, the
day of their big, the day of their celebration, you know, we're going to give them a really,
really good preview and insight into what that's going to look from a guest's perspective.
You know, they're going to see our staff members behind the bar, depending on how many clients
are here, one or two, most likely.
Um, and everything is going to be presented to them just as it would on their wedding
day.
So they can really see that in real time before, which I feel like you would want to, I would
think, right.
You kind of want to do that.
So that way it maybe eases any anxieties that you have prior.
So yeah, absolutely.
I love the bar tastings.
Yeah.
It's just also part of the cocktails, but also even just, there's like a sweetness to wedding
planning.
And I think, you know, you hear both sides of wedding planning sometimes feels really
stressful because it's a big, it's a big investment and it's big lifelong commitment.
And I think that you feel that, but I think the bar tasting is one of those moments where
it's just like, enjoy it, you know, relax, have fun, um, spend time together.
It's like a little date.
Yeah.
They all are at the different tables and it's almost like they're in a, you know, just relaxed
environment, like a little cafe.
Right.
And they're just enjoying their drinks and hanging out.
It's really chill.
Yeah.
It's cool.
It's a little something that we can do to elevate the entire experience.
Yeah.
That's very cool.
We have a mocktail program and we also have no bar minimums.
How did that become part of how we operate?
Well, I think when it comes to mocktails, that's just the natural evolution of where
bartending is headed.
You know, a lot of, especially with the younger generation, a lot of them are moving to this
place where they are, they're doing, they're going spirit free.
Right.
And so I think for any company that wants to continue to be relevant, they're going to
change with the times and make sure that they're, they're integrating part of all of
that.
Yeah.
And I think people that, you know, if they're choosing to abstain from alcohol for whatever
their reasons are still deserve that experience of a nice crafted drink that they can enjoy
that has complexity and it's visually appealing and all of those things that draw people in
when they're choosing a cocktail.
Yeah.
I think they deserve that same experience too.
So.
Yeah.
I very much agree.
And this was kind of a group, this specific piece was kind of a group decision where like
I have three young kids and I've spent a lot of my adult life caring for the kids or being
pregnant and things and you're not supposed to drink when you're pregnant.
And I've also never been necessarily like a huge drinker and I always love a good mocktail.
Yeah.
Um, and so when we work together to roll out a mocktail menu, it's just, it is like so refreshing
to be able to offer those and it's still the same level of excellence and you still get
the full experience, but you don't get the hangover the next day.
Other family members can drink it if they're also expecting or something like that.
Um, and then with our minimums, I think, I feel like that's a certain level of professionalism
that we've wanted to instill that if a family chooses to go spirit free, um, or, or not do
something like that, that this is an option for people, but it's, we don't pressure, we
don't force.
And it's just completely separate from the venue pricing.
Any venue or any client that's booking the venue, they all deserve the same level of respect
and treatment.
You know, whether it's a client that's going to have 180 guests or a client that's going
to have 30 guests that's coming, whether they choose to have alcohol at the event or they
choose not to, you know, every single one of them is worthy of the same experience that
the others are.
Yeah.
Awesome.
100%.
What's the thing couples most often wish they told you sooner?
I'm sure there's a plethora of clients that we could call up.
Guess count is coming to my mind.
Guess count is coming to my mind is probably.
Yeah.
Guess counts.
Yeah, for sure.
You know, cause that, that really gives them an accurate understanding of, of what they're
going to be spending to begin with.
So when you see guess counts that are, that are jumping significantly, a lot of times their
bar costs can jump significantly at the same time.
True.
I think it's, uh, it would be a lot of like the moving parts as well that can add to cost.
Like if, if later on the client decides that they want to include something like a champagne
toast, well, that sort of thing is going to add to cost.
Or, you know, if they want to go ahead and add in a secondary bar location.
So now you've got to add in an extra bartender just to make sure that that's manned, you know,
table side service may add to your staff count as well.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I would say any kind of like restrictions when it comes to budget, I think it's always
beneficial to kind of have those conversations in the beginning so that we're able to identify
what's most important to the couple.
What do they really want to see within their bar services and focus on that and then add
in as much as we can for what their finances allow.
You know, we want to be able to give them the best experience possible, but having those
conversations in the beginning helps us, you know, really, um, give them the experience
that they're able, you know, that, that they want and within their budget.
Right.
Yeah.
I agree.
And some other cool things about this partnership is we do have set bar packages.
And I think that that is the easiest way, you know, we set the bar packages so people can
budget and do their finances and their planning and like, think about how the day is going
to go.
But, um, we also very much let people, you know, swap things out or add to, and we kind
of have a whole all the cart menu.
And even if it's not on the auto cart menu, then looking at specialty things, we allow
for all of those things.
It's definitely the execution and everything is on the budget side.
It's always going to be a lot more seamless of a planning process.
If we start looking at that early and just know if you are a bride here, you're thinking
about being a bride here and you want to switch out the alcohol or you want a specialty
cocktail that's not on the list.
Like those are things that we, we offer and allow.
Exactly.
Yeah.
It gives us a template to build off of, you know, cause I mean,
the reality is like, we want to, we want to make sure that everything's fully upgradable,
customizable.
So when a client does have a vision for those bar services, we're doing everything we can
to make sure that we are making their vision a reality.
Cocktail hour is really high pressure.
Guests want something crafted and they also don't want to wait for forever.
So how do you hold all of that at the same time?
Tell me about what you're doing.
I know because I've seen it.
What are you doing during ceremony?
Oh, I was like, I can take this one.
I can take this one.
We did briefly touch on it before too.
We're talking about cocktail and that's why we do, we try to be as thorough as possible
in the beginning.
We can identify the needs, things they want to have included, but we are very methodical
when we're on site, right?
We flip into beast mode and we're definitely able to execute because we've worked so many
weddings.
Yeah.
So usually we take into account the ceremony time that determines our arrival time.
So we have plenty of time to set up and are ready to go by the time the ceremony starts.
Right.
The idea is there's nothing going on in the background.
That's right.
The focus is on the ceremony.
And then as soon as that's ready, as soon as the ceremony is over, concluded, we're ready
to serve.
So it really looks as simple as that.
And depending on what they're incorporating, we're allowing for that.
That's why staffing appropriately is so important.
So if they want any extra things like champagne walls, they want tray pass cocktails, we set
up with enough time to allow ourselves to prepare for all of those things.
So as soon as the ceremony is over, we're ready to serve.
Absolutely.
And we're also going to be weighing out what are these moving parts that are going to need
our attention.
So if there are things like signature cocktails, for example, that actually helps us to do our
job better.
Because if we can identify cocktails that we can already pre-batch or pre-make right before
we know that ceremony is going to cut out, then we can already have some of that stuff
ready to go so that we've got to trade up and we can get drinks and hands right away.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
I always think that's so cool.
And I've watched that.
You guys arrive.
Game face.
Yeah, certainly.
Get a lot of stuff done.
Ceremony starts.
And I look back there and all the bartenders, everything's ready.
And everyone's just like standing peacefully, watching ceremony, not making a peek.
Ready to go.
Yeah.
But that's so good because I have been to weddings before where you're at ceremony and
then catering and bars back there clanking around, acting a fool, being loud, trying to
set up, hollering at each other on like load in, load out stuff.
Right.
And you can hear it from ceremony.
You can hear it at our site.
And I mean, even if you're not at the Lumen House, like that's a common issue.
So it's always really cool that all of that is done in advance.
Mm-hmm.
Okay.
What does a bartender's plus bar actually look like when it's running here?
Walk me through that.
Mm-hmm.
Josh, do you know?
Fully functional, right?
We have this good combination of efficiency, but also making it visually appealing.
So obviously, however the couple wants it styled from the front aspect, we've had signs and
monogrammed cocktail napkins and cute little garnish wafers and anything that the couple
wants to include that's obviously included in our setup.
And then we have a couple of fully operational service wells, bartenders ready to go, cooler.
If we have a full bar, you're going to see all the bottles on the shelves.
We like to use the whole space because it's such a nice, nice bar, big bar, beautiful.
So it's just going to see us in action, right?
Being very efficient.
Yes.
I do always like watching the way that you set the drinks up on the shelves.
It does look really nice like that.
What's one wedding where the bar actually changed the day?
Do you have any special memories from a wedding over the last however many years you've both
been doing this?
Mm-hmm.
Well, I, you know, I can't say that like I have, I have one that I can recollect, but
I can tell you that there are many clients that have sent wonderful thank you cards over the
years that have expressed just how much the bar service has impacted their day.
In fact, like I, if you walk into my office, you'll see on like my poster board up there,
I've got my thank you cards like lined up.
We have that in our locker room too.
Yeah.
We save all of the cards that we receive.
It's good inspiration.
You know, it's a reminder like, hey, your stuff is really appreciated.
Your hard work.
Yeah.
It's not going unnoticed.
Mm-hmm.
These people, these clients, these wonderful individuals that have trusted us with these
services, they genuinely appreciate what we do.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Well, and it's, it's a lovely, it's a lovely thing.
I do.
I do love getting thank you cards.
I'll have to, I actually have a photo of that stuff on my, on my phone.
I'll have to show it to you sometime.
That's like my little inspiration.
Yeah.
Oh.
Yeah.
I would say the same.
I mean, we, we receive a lot of great reviews.
You know, you can check us online, five stars across the board, but also I just think,
yeah, we've definitely received a lot of really flattering feedback with, from
couples that said that we were just such a great addition to their day.
Yeah.
And I just think that that speaks volumes because it is such a big day for them.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So we want to add to that.
Obviously.
I cannot wait to watch somebody do the martini bar.
Talking about like changing the day.
I feel like that is so unique.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
And the bourbon bars too.
Yeah.
Bourbon bar.
So.
Yeah.
We've got a martini bar coming up here in like two weeks.
Oh my God.
One week.
Good.
Okay.
And the bourbon bar, we've already got to schedule.
We've got to schedule for the year so far.
Good.
Very nice.
So the, the martini and the bourbon bars are going to be a, it's an aversive cocktail experience.
You're going to be able to come up to the bar and order the bourbon cocktails or martini
cocktails, depending on which one the client selects, um, and built the way that you would
like it.
They're also going to get the opportunity to go ahead and choose two custom cocktails that
we're going to feature at the bars as well during it.
Sure.
That's really cool.
Mm-hmm.
Um, and I definitely feel like that's just that next level of experience.
Elevated.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So elevated.
Um, and that's what people are looking for now.
It's not just about, well, but the thing is you can have the most simple wedding with
a beautiful ceremony when you're in love.
And like, that's enough.
First of all, for starters, you know, we can talk about all of these different, um, vendors
and all the cool things that we can do.
And at the end of the day, you can also have a very simple ceremony and just be madly in
love.
And like, those are my favorite.
As long as the ceremony is awesome and like they're madly in love, like that's the wedding.
Um, and you can also do a bourbon bar or a martini bar and it's just like, so luxe feeling.
It really adds.
Yeah.
Like we said, it, it elevates the experience.
This is such a luxe space, you know?
So it really does just kind of fit perfectly with that.
And it's the drink and the service.
Like that's one of the things that you love about going to a craft cocktail bar and like
pulling up a seat at the bar.
And like the bartender does take that extra time to make that special drink for you.
That's this.
What is your favorite drink on the menu right now?
Well, I know mine.
I think I spoke to actually one of mine was the mocktail, right?
The nocturne, I think.
I think it's so good.
I love grapefruit anyway.
Yeah.
But that's, that has been a huge hit with our couples, you know, like they love that.
And, you know, obviously some of them have just inquired whether they could just add alcohol
to it and make it into a cocktail, which certainly you can.
But I think for it to be a mocktail and such a favorite like that is really cool.
It really did.
That caught, that one really balances out with the elderflower notes, as well as the effervescence
of the soda water and the pineapple, not pineapple, grapefruit juice.
It is a well-balanced, well-constructed mocktail.
I like that one.
My favorite is going to be the mango habanero cocktail, which is basically like, it's sort
of a take on a skinny marg, right?
We use a very high quality mango puree that we put in that one.
We do a house-made, uh, spice, simple syrup in that one.
It's spicy, simple syrup that would have fresh pressed lime juice, some soda water and tequila.
Tequila.
Yeah.
And it is one that I think will really change anybody's mind on the versatility of tequila
and how delicious it can really be.
I'm like really trying to hold it in because I've had both of these drinks and I agree.
And some people love a good spicy marg anyway.
You know what's crazy though?
It's a big hit for sure.
I don't, mango's weird because I like good mango, but I have had the drinks that are like
mango concentrate or not.
And it's just like, it leaves, I don't know, it has like a weird taste.
Yeah.
And when I tried that one, it is very good.
And I think it's, it must be that mango quality.
The, the quality of ingredients matter so much.
They can, they can really take a drink that you would say like, eh, it's all right.
And be like, whoa, what just happened?
That was a party in my mouth.
It was amazing.
Yeah.
And both of those that y'all mentioned are really good for summertime.
Like I feel like grapefruit is such a refreshing summer drink.
And then the tequila.
Absolutely.
Ah, that's awesome.
Has there been a time that you felt genuinely moved at a wedding?
And if so, what happened?
Well, you know, actually we just, we just both got back from our own respective, um,
friends and family weddings.
Like I just went to one down in, in, uh, tell me about that.
Uh, well, I actually did see something I thought was pretty cool.
Um, so this was a younger cousin of mine.
And they got married, but when they did the, I think they started with the bride and the
father dance, uh, they, they played the entire song, but midway through, they invited all fathers
and daughters to come and share the dance floor.
And they did the same thing with mothers and sons.
Yeah.
And I just thought that was so cool.
Cause of course, like, you know, I got to dance with my mom, which I've never, we realized
that we've never shared like a formal dance together.
So it was such a cool memory.
That's precious.
So I would say that was just like, I love that.
Yeah.
It was beautiful.
I know.
It was cool.
It was good.
That's so sweet.
Your turn.
Um, well, yeah, I went down to, uh, I was, went down to St. Augustine for, uh, uh, family
friends wedding down there.
And it was just, it was absolutely beautiful.
I mean, it's, I feel like it's almost impossible to have a bad time at a wedding, you know, like
when they're hitting the cores of, of, of what it takes to really just make sure that a wedding
is amazing.
It's, it's impossible.
And talking about McCore a little bit, right?
So the, the venue I think is number one, right?
It's you're setting the scene, you're setting the stage, right?
And, and it was absolutely beautiful where this wedding took place.
I mean, you had the Spanish moss on all the trees.
I love that.
It was in the trees, you know, where the actual ceremony took place.
So beautiful.
So perfect setting, right?
The food, outstanding.
The bar services, paramount.
Absolutely amazing.
Yeah.
Maybe not as good as us, but that's right.
I could be a little biased on that side.
Yeah.
Right.
Um, they had a phenomenal, um, DJ, right.
And they brought an amazing crowd.
Yeah.
You have those five things.
It's impossible to have a bad time at that wedding.
We're going to close out with a couple of these from your professional experience, not
as our friend, but as someone who actually works events here.
What does the Lumen House make possible for you that most venues don't?
I would say that the collaborative aspect of our business relationship is something that
is just, it's so, it's so beautiful.
You don't just treat us like another vendor, right?
You guys genuinely treat us like we are part of this operation and that's invaluable to us.
You, you hear us out.
You genuinely care about the feedback that we have to give on how we can all continue to
like elevate our services and represent what we all do better.
And that's just, it's, thank you.
Thank you for it.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I would say the same, the, the, the, the ability to be able to collaborate and be as flexible
as we're able to and customize things and adjust things along the way, I think is such a great,
just testimony to where we are in terms of our working relationship.
Yeah.
I think that's, that's amazing.
Yeah.
I think that's beautiful.
And it really just, it adds to our experience when we're here on site too, you know, having
you guys here for us as well.
Thanks.
I'm like really, and I know you guys do too.
We care about our clients so much.
Big time.
Yeah.
And I find so much common ground when vendors also just love on their clients, then it,
it makes the collaboration so much easier.
It feels like we have such a shared goal.
Yeah.
You know, of, of getting them what they need, because when I look at their weddings and like
now that we've been doing this, not that, I mean, we're still very, very new.
Like we've only been open for a year and I've watched an array of vendors across all vendor
subcategories, you know, and I was not from the wedding industry.
And then I have just been watching and learning as much as I can.
And number one, realizing that there's no way I'm going to learn it all.
When so many of these other vendors are already so gifted, it would just make sense to empower
another vendor than try to like do everything.
And then also, again, it's just like that level of service and care towards the client that
and creativity of like, things are just so much more fun.
I think when you get to collaborate with the group and when you get to watch peers that you care about
thrive, you know, like the cocktail menu that you guys came up with for the space that like feels,
I feel like it was probably creatively interesting for you guys.
And it also felt like such an extension of the space without ever touching it.
And like, that's pretty cool.
Yeah, that's so rare.
Yeah, for sure.
It's so good.
I mean, this, the, the reality of it is, you know, we, we don't exist if, if we're not all putting our best
foot forward and, you know, showing clients the value of, of what it is that we all do.
You know, it's a collective effort.
We all have to work together to, to represent, you know, and rep and make it all happen.
Totally.
What about this space do you think couples don't fully appreciate until they're in it?
Ooh, I mean the versatility of the venue.
Yeah.
You know, like one of my favorite things about the Lumen House is the, like the, the zones and the spaces,
because you can take each one and make it so incredibly unique.
Yeah.
Right.
Like you have like the main hall that we're in right now, then you have the greenhouse that's in its own separate
facility adjacent and you can just utilize the space and just make it your own.
Yeah.
I love it.
Yeah.
I would say the nature, the nature aspect of the grounds.
Oh, yes.
I think it makes it so much more magical.
I love if you get to see some of the cows walking or some of the chickens or something.
I just think that that totally adds to it.
It's such a beautiful property already in and of itself.
And that's a good point too, is, you know, I've seen this space presented in such different ways.
Yeah.
And it's really, really awesome to see a couple's vision come to life.
Yeah.
And then it could be one way in the reception space in a completely different way in the greenhouse too, like you were saying.
Yeah.
You just, when you, when you see it all in motion, it's beautiful.
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Thank you guys so much.
Well, thanks for being here.
Thank you for having us.
Rock it up.
Yeah.
That was good.
Thank you.