Wedding Day Cigar Bars
Today's post on cigar bars at weddings is the second "official" post in our Tips for Grooms blog series, written by Arturo. Being a cigar aficionado, he was pretty pumped to share this information with you!
This week's topic is one that is near and dear to my heart: cigars! More specifically, I'll be discussing cigar bars at wedding receptions. Shaina and I are huge advocates for putting your stamp on your big day. If you're a cigar smoker, they're a natural extension of you that should be added to your wedding day.
There are a few things to keep in mind when if you do decide to pursue having a cigar bar set up at your wedding reception:
You'll want to consult your venue and make sure they allow cigar bars. Times have changed and certain venues will not allow smoking on the property. Others may allow it but only in a limited capacity. Look for a wide open space where you and your guests can truly enjoy a nice cigar during the reception after dinner. The only thing that ruins a cigar is not enjoying it in comfort!
Do you want pre-purchased cigars or a cigar roller? In this post, the focus is going to be on pre-purchased cigars for several reasons, which I will discuss in detail.
If you commit to having a cigar bar, be sure to include all necessary items for your guests to enjoy a cigar (lighter, cutter, a variety of cigar choices, crystal ashtrays, etc).
Let’s take a dive into the details of cigar bars that require some extra thought. I was recently sharing some of my ideas for this blog post with my good friend Kevin Paige, owner of Buttheads Tobacco Emporium. During our conversation that day, Kevin shared some valuable ideas and thoughts with me as well,
"Smoking a cigar is a very personal thing. It is very relaxing and a great way to bond. There will be guests who are celebrating a wonderful event and enjoying a great cigar with the groom. The cigars chosen for the event should have flavor profiles to cover everyone from the occasional cigar smoker to the hardcore fan. Size of the cigar is also important. You don’t want your guests smoking a 2-hour cigar during the reception. Choose cigars which take 30 minutes at most to smoke so your guests can continue to enjoy the reception."
Kevin has a great knowledge of cigars, as his entire store in Danbury, Connecticut is a humidor with over 3,000 open boxes (take the time to visit Kevin and his shop; I promise you won't be disappointed)! He suggested multiple cigars which would be perfect for a cigar bar, two of which I've written a bit about below:
EPC New Wave Connecticut
This cigar is a great mild to medium smoke. Perfect for an occasional or casual smoker (and even for the ones who are just lighting up to celebrate the big day!). It is a cigar made in Esteli, Nicaragua with a Connecticut wrapper (did you know our state was one of the prime spots for tobacco?). The ratings are very solid for this cigar, and Ernesto Perez is a legend in the cigar industry!
Partagas 1845 Black Label
Full flavored and full bodied, the Partagas Black Label cigars have been named to the Robb Report’s “Best of the Best” List. They were also bestowed with a 90 rating from Cigar Insider. This is the cigar that will impress your avid cigar smokers. After speaking with Kevin earlier, I purchased this cigar and really enjoyed the flavor!
When one of your buddies asks, “What cigar was that we smoked at your wedding?”, it's going to evoke some great memories! You will be brought back to one of the most beautiful and exciting days of your life each time you smoke that particular cigar. I know during our wedding reception, it was such a pleasure to spend some time outside with so many of my friends and finally enjoy a great stick with each other.
The style options for the wedding day cigar bar are endless! As I previously mentioned, don't forget to include lighters, cutters and ashtrays. From there, you can also add other fun cigar accessories and décor (personalized matches, apothecary jars, signage, etc.) to the bar. Check out Pinterest for some unique ideas and inspiration!
Well grooms-to-be, that's it for this week! Please feel free to reach out with any questions regarding cigars by emailing me at arturo@shaineleephotography.com. I'd love to help out or give advice where I can! In the meantime, get involved with the wedding planning and put your mark on the wedding day. You won’t regret it!
