One aspect that often gets overlooked until the last minute? The glassware for your reception or celebration drinks. Yet it’s one of those details that can really make or break the experience for everyone involved.
The Importance of Getting It Right
Picture this: hundreds of proud families gathering after the ceremony, ready to toast their graduate’s achievement with a glass of something special. The last thing you want is to be scrambling around with plastic cups or running short on glasses halfway through the event. We’ve seen it happen more times than we’d care to mention, and it’s not a great look for any institution.
Proper glassware doesn’t just serve a practical purpose – it adds that touch of elegance and occasion that makes the day feel truly special. Whether you’re serving champagne, prosecco, or even just orange juice for the non-drinkers, the right glass makes all the difference.
Planning for Numbers
One thing we always chat through with our university clients is getting the numbers right. You’ve got your graduates, their families (and let’s be honest, most bring more than just mum and dad these days), plus your staff and faculty. Then there are the inevitable extras who turn up on the day.
Our advice? Always plan for at least 20% more than your expected headcount. It’s far better to have glasses left over than to run out during the toasts. Plus, with our two-day hire period, you’ve got plenty of time to set everything up properly without that last-minute panic.
The Practical Side
From a practical standpoint, hiring professional glassware makes sense for several reasons. First, you get consistent, high-quality glasses that photograph well – and trust us, there’ll be plenty of photos taken on graduation day. Second, you don’t have to worry about storage, transport, or the dreaded washing up afterwards. We handle all of that for you.
We deliver everything to your venue, whether that’s on campus or at an external location, and collect it all afterwards. Your team can focus on what they do best – making sure the day runs smoothly for everyone involved.
Beyond Just Glasses
Whilst we’re talking about glassware, it’s worth mentioning that most graduation events need more than just glasses. You might need serving trays, ice buckets, water jugs, or even bar equipment if you’re running a proper reception. Having one supplier who can handle all of these requirements saves you time, hassle, and usually money too.
Getting Ahead of the Game
July might seem like it’s still a way off, but graduation season is one of our busiest times. Universities and colleges across Merseyside, Cheshire, Manchester, and North Wales all tend to hold their ceremonies around the same time, which means there’s plenty of competition for the best equipment.
If you’re reading this and thinking “we really should get our glassware sorted,” then you’re already ahead of the game. Give us a call and we can chat through exactly what you’ll need based on your event size and style.
Making It Personal
Every institution has its own way of doing things, and we get that. Some prefer elegant champagne flutes for a more formal feel, others go for versatile wine glasses that work for multiple types of drinks. Some need child-friendly alternatives for younger siblings in attendance.
Whatever your requirements, we’ve got the stock levels to handle events of all sizes – from intimate college ceremonies to large university graduations with hundreds of attendees. And because we’re local to the North West, we understand the specific needs and expectations of institutions in our area.
The Bottom Line
Your graduation ceremony is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for your students and their families. Getting the details right – including something as seemingly simple as the glassware – contributes to making it a day they’ll remember fondly for years to come.
If you’re organising a graduation event for July and want to discuss your glassware needs, get in touch. We’re here to help make sure your celebration goes off without a hitch, leaving you free to focus on celebrating your graduates’ achievements.
Ready to plan your graduation event? Contact Quickhire Events to discuss your requirements and get a quote for your July ceremony. Call us on 0151 653 4567 or E-mail enquiries@quickhire.co.uk.