The Scissortail Process: From Your First Message to the Last Glass

Booking a beverage service for the first time can feel a little uncertain. What happens after you fill out the form? When do you pay? Who plans the menu? What if your guest count changes? We want you to know the answers before you ever sign anything.

Here is exactly how it works with Scissortail, from your first click to the final cleanup.

Step 1: Your Inquiry (Day 1)

You fill out our estimate form or reach out by email or phone. We ask for the basics:

• Your event date and location
• Your approximate guest count
• Your event type (wedding, corporate, birthday, and so on)
• Your service preferences (cocktails, mocktails, dirty sodas, tea, coffee)
• Any special requests or dietary needs

Don't wait on us. The estimate is instant. You get a real price online in about 60 seconds, with no deposit required to see it.

Step 2: Your Estimate (Instant)

The moment you submit the form, we build an estimate just for you. This is not a generic price sheet. It is tailored to the specifics of your event:

• The crew size we recommend for your guest count
• The equipment and setup your venue needs
• Menu suggestions based on your event type and preferences
• Itemized pricing for labor, equipment, and supplies, all visible to you

The estimate is free, comes with no obligation, and includes enough detail for you to compare it against other companies. You can even estimate and book your date right through our planning portal before your first consult.

Step 3: Your Consultation (Week 1 to 2)

If the estimate looks good, we schedule a consultation by phone, video, or in person. This is where we get into the details with you:

• Walk through your venue logistics (power, water, shade, bar placement)
• Build your drink menu together, since we bring ideas and you bring your preferences
• Talk through timeline coordination with your other vendors
• Finalize the scope and any add-ons (dirty soda station, coffee bar, tea service)

After we talk, we send you a revised estimate that reflects everything we discussed.

Step 4: Booking Your Date (Week 2 to 3)

To lock in your date, we send a contract and request a 30 percent deposit. The contract spells out:

• Every service you have agreed to
• Your drink menu
• Your timeline and logistics
• Cancellation and change policies
• Insurance and liability documentation

Once your deposit clears, your date is reserved and no one else can book it.

Step 5: Planning Ahead (2 to 4 weeks before)

This is where the real preparation happens for your day:

• Final headcount confirmation
• Menu finalization, your last chance for changes
• Shopping list delivery if you are buying the alcohol and ingredients
• A venue walkthrough or a detailed venue brief
• Timeline sync with your planner, DJ, caterer, and venue coordinator
• Crew assignment, where we match bartenders to your event's vibe and needs

Step 6: Your Event Day

Setup (90 to 120 minutes before service): the crew arrives early. We build the bar, stock everything, prep garnishes, and run a final check. By the time your first guest walks up, we are ready.

Service: this is where it all comes together. The crew leader manages the service, watches consumption, coordinates with your other vendors, and handles any surprises before you even notice them. The bartenders focus on what they do best, making great drinks and making your guests feel welcome.

Wind-down and breakdown: about 30 minutes before your event ends we quietly start winding the bar down and steering guests toward water, with no public last-call announcement that would only rush them. After the final guest is served, we break down the bar, clean the area, and pack out all of our equipment. The venue should look like we were never there, except for the happy guests.

Step 7: After Your Event (Within 1 week)

You get a final invoice with any balance due, plus a thank-you note and a request for your feedback. If you loved it, and we hope you did, we will gently ask for a Google review.

That is the whole process. Seven steps, no surprises, no hidden fees, and none of that "we'll figure it out on event day" energy. From your first click to the last glass, you always know what is happening and when.

Ready to start? Fill out the estimate form and let's build something your guests will remember.

What Makes Scissortail Different for You

"Scissortail keeps things simple for you with a single planning meeting and a focused bar menu, which is how we hold our budget-friendly model," explains Bar-Key founder Patrick Wilson. "We simplify the shopping, the garnishes, and the décor. Think of it as a pared-back Classic wedding, built to fit a wider range of budgets."

That streamlined approach is on purpose, and it is not a compromise on your day. Scissortail exists to make professional beverage service reachable for events that do not need, or simply do not want, the full Iconic or Luxe treatment. You still get the same warm hospitality, just with a focused scope and a friendlier price.