Modern Cocktail Mixer
Planner: Jennifer Newell & Crystal Featherston, Gatherings
Bentonville
VENUE: Galleries and lofts allow your guests plenty of room to mingle. A fee is charged for renting the space, but by hosting a standing cocktail reception, you’ll offset that expense by saving on rentals. Also, the artwork on display provides both a unique background and built-in décor! $1,500
RENTALS: Consider the seating options the venue has to offer before renting anything. Existing seating can be rearranged into conversational lounge areas. Then, mix in several tall cocktail tables and short bistro tables to balance the room, and splurge on colored uplighting to highlight the bar and appetizer stations. Some galleries have unique lighting options already built it—if yours does, that’s more money saved. $750
DÉCOR: Allow your venue’s “natural” décor (the architectural aspects and/or art on display) to do the heavy lifting in transforming the room. Then, hire a caricature artist to draw guest’s portraits and display them tastefully behind the artist’s workstation. You shouldn’t need large floral arrangements, so stagger medium-sized, shorter centerpieces and votives around the room. $1,800
FOOD: Passed hors d’oeuvres and hors d’oeuvre stations keep your guests mingling throughout the fabulous space, while providing variety for every palate. Choose a wide variety of exciting appetizers. Select smaller plates to keep guests coming back for more, while circulating throughout your party. $2,500
DRINKS: Keep it classy by choosing a nice white and red wine, along with bottled beer—perhaps a local brew. And provide water infused with citrus fruits or a mint-cucumber mix for a refreshing non-alcohol alternative. $1,250
MUSIC: A jazz ensemble can be both lively and upbeat, while also offering soothing tunes to encourage conversation. If not jazz, consider a musical genre that’s fitting of your gallery of loft-style venue. $500
TOTAL: $8,300
(Back to Four Unique Receptions Under $10,000)
