How the Reservation Process Works

How Cost is Determined

One of the most frequent questions we get is how the process of reservation works. While email and text are both great ways to let us know what you’re looking for and when, a phone call is usually the best means of contact. The cost of equipment is largely based on the location of the event and is the single biggest factor is determining the cost of the rental. The other factor is the date of the event. Summer is the most popular season and weekends are in strong demand.

Reservation How to

Once you let us know what you’re looking for, your location, party times, contact information and approve of our proposed delivery times, we’ll e-mail you an invoice with all of the information captured. All of our invoicing and credit card transactions are handled through Square. Once the invoice is paid, your reservation is complete and the next time you’ll hear from us is typically to confirm your delivery time a couple of days before your event. The reservation process is actually quite easy. Make sure to check your junk or spam folder in you don’t see your reservation invoice.

Payment Stuff

The last two years there has been a steady uptick in customers who prefer to make a deposit and have the balance due closer to the date of the event. In this scenario, Life of the Party, LLC will send your invoice with an automated payment schedule. All major credit cards, checks and cash are accepted. There is usually a $50 due to hold the reservation on the date you choose. The balance of that invoice will then become due 2-3 weeks prior to the event.

If you’re hosting an upcoming party, check out what we have to offer and give us a call. The Margarita Machines are always a great hit. However, there are also popcorn, snow cone and cotton candy machines that are great for birthday parties or special occasions.

Cocktail Mix Delivery Day!

We love delivery day. About once or twice per year a bulk order of cocktail mixes is made from our preferred vendor, Swirled Ice. Swirled Ice is based out of Houston, Texas. Because of nasty weather in Texas the shipment was delayed but it finally arrived. I drive out to the FedEx receiving facility to pick it up. The shipment full-filler places cocktail mix pallet right inside my vehicle and I drive off.

This cocktail delivery order has a bunch of the top three sellers (Margarita Gold, Strawberry Daiquiri, and Pina Colada), but also a variety of others flavors. This year I ordered a lot more Lemonade as they are really good with Vodka and a lot more people have been asking about good mixes to use with Vodka. There is also Mojito, Hurricane, Mudslide, Rum Runner, Sangria. Also a bunch of other kid flavors that are great for making slurpees. I look forward to a season using these mixes in the margarita machines!

COVID 19 and Weddings

How COVID 19 has Changed Wedding Receptions

There is no doubt that last year (2020) was awful for couples getting married. Big crowds were banned, masks were mandated and family gatherings were frowned upon. 2020’s pandemic has and will probably change what the wedding reception will look like in 2021. Rather than massive venue receptions that can entertain hundreds of guests, this year we will most likely see more intimate venues getting used. These more intimate venues can be the more traditional Hampton Roads wedding venues such as The Historic Post Office, The Main and other big hotels but slightly watered down with crowd numbers. However, whats more likely is these receptions are moved to residential properties where small crowds can comfortably gather in a backyard or large house. The cost is cheaper and the crowd size is safer.

While Life of the Party has brought Margarita Machines to the big traditional venues in Hampton Roads, where our services are of tremendous value are these residential receptions. Typically, the budget is a bit smaller and there isn’t as much outside help with things like servings cocktails, running food, etc. We have seen first hand how convenient it is and how relived families are when they can set up a slushie machine in the house or backyard and there is no need for someone to manually mix cocktails, blend ice or staff a bar.

The Double Bowl Drink Machine is especially perfect for this as it can hold and operate two different mixtures at the same time. You could either have something like Strawberry Daiquiris on one side and Margaritas on the other or have any alcoholic drink you prefer on one side and a virgin drink on the other.

If you’re considering an backyard or residential venue for your reception this year, please consider reaching out to us to make your special day convenient and within budget.

www.lifeofhepartyvb.com