Use our checklist below as a guide to planning your own function to ensure it is smooth and memorable.
Initial Planning
Defining the type of event and purpose. This is an important step as pretty much everything flows from your choice here. Dates, times, guest lists & numbers, themes, menus, layouts, decorations, invitations, entertainment, photography and so on.
Establish a budget. How much are you willing to spend? How will it be split between venue hire, catering, drinks, entertainment, décor, invitations etc.? Should you set a cost per person limit?
Answering the above questions are critical when planning your function. It is always useful to sense check your numbers. Once you have a fairly firm budget in place, work out what the cost per person is and then ask yourself if that number is a good reflection of everything you have included.
Venue Details
Capacity and layouts. We recommend a visit to Brogan’s Way to meet the staff and familiarise yourself with the space. Our team can show you the various options for layouts, seating, standing, dance floor spaces, DJ stations, tasting bars, grazing tables, staging setup, lighting options and other ideas. The team can also show you the accessibility options for guests and both disabled and ambulant toilets.
Event Planning
Guest List. Compile a list of attendees and send out invitations well in advance. We recommend letting people know at least 4 – 6 weeks out. It gives your prospective guests plenty of time to plan to add it to their calendars and make any adjustments with children and/or work.
Menu Selection: Selecting food and drink options are very important. Your function theme sets the direction for your menus and whether to go in-house or use third-party food catering. Depending on budget we can offer a range of our own in-house selections for food, including some special dietary requirements. Food trucks are also popular options, and we can provide recommendations for your consideration. For third party caterers. Check bump-in and bump-out access times with the venue and advise your chosen suppliers.
As an award-winning distillery, we have the drink options totally covered with options from full cocktail menus on a tab, through to a restricted drinks lists with a maximum spend and a range of drinks packages with set per head prices. We can help you work out which is best for your event.
Entertainment: Plan for any entertainment DJ, speakers, photo booths, cocktail demonstrations, tasting stations and masterclasses to ensure it fits within the venue's capabilities.
Logistics
Decorations: In keeping with your chosen theme, we can work with you on various ideas to decorate and theme your event that will work with the structure of the venue and safety systems in place. Check bump-in and bump-out access times with the venue and advise your selected providers.
Audio-Visual Equipment: Brogan’s Way has some limited AV equipment that can be used FOC and can also recommend affordable local suppliers and DJs. There is in house music stream capability to play your own playlists. Check bump-in and bump-out access times with the venue and advise your decoration providers.
Accommodation. If required, we can recommend local hotels within very easy walking distance of the distillery.
Take Home Personalised Gifts & Mementos. Take your function to the next level with a unique personalised gift or wedding favours and bonbonniere. With Brogan’s Way Made to Measure range you can select a spirit to reflect your event, design your label and include a memorable personal message. Explore the options here.
On the Day
Bump-in, Setup and Coordination: Arrive early to oversee the setup and coordinate with Brogan's Way staff and any external vendors. Our venue manager will check the run sheet with you to finalise any last-minute changes. If you are running a tab, we will take a valid credit card to hold and for pre-authorisation.
Welcoming Guests: If required, ensure there is a designated person to welcome and guide guests upon arrival.
Event Flow: Keep a timeline of the event to ensure everything runs smoothly and on schedule. Our venue manager can help you develop.
Tab Tracking. If required Brogan’s Way Venue manager will regularly update you with the spend against your tab and progress on any minimum spend requirements. They will make any final charges to the held card and return it to you at the end of the evening.
Post-Event
Cleanup: Confirm cleanup responsibilities with the venue including removal of decorations, time limits and disposal of rubbish.
Thank You Notes: Send thank you notes to guests.
Additional Tips
Backup Plans: Have a backup plan for any potential issues, such as weather changes, illness, traffic restrictions etc.
Legal Requirements: Ensure you comply with any legal requirements, such as permits (food trucks) or noise restrictions.
Our checklist is a good guide to assist in planning a memorable function at Brogan’s Way. Is there something missing from the list? Do you have questions, or do you have an idea for your function that we haven’t covered? Please ask, we love functions and enjoy being a part of them. We have plenty of experience in organising functions and are happy to work with you to make it special for your guests.
Happy planning!