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Help me plan my wedding cigar setup

tfb5701

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This may be information overload but I figured I would include as much information as possible.

I'm getting married towards the end of 2019. The reception location has an existing dedicated cigar/game room with dedicated ventilation so thankfully cigars will be possible and very convenient. Now I just need to decide on the cigar options. I need to decide on the general cigars, maybe a separate nicer 5 cigars for the 5 groomsmen, and a cigar for myself.

Some background: We're looking at a guest count of 130-140 showing up. Reception venue is a nice location at a club on the top floor of a downtown building. Overall wedding reception will be very nice and open bar. I expect many of our friends to smoke one at some point in the night. Attendance is probably 50% friends and 50% family. Reception should be around 4 hours, starting around 8:15pm and last until 12:15am.

My guess is we will probably need 75 cigars. I have smoked both NC and CC over the years. I haven't smoked much in the last 3 years but before I slowed down I was smoking mainly CC. I'm thinking about going only CC for the reception. What thoughts or advice do you guys have?

I was thinking about going with CC brands recognizable to most people(Cohiba, Monte, Partagas, RyJ, etc). With all the options out there, I was thinking of picking things that are short but not too short or thin. 42 ring gauge or over and about 4"-5". Many people won't finish them and I also don't want people to spend the whole party in the cigar room. Many of my groomsmen smoke CC Monte 4's so while that might be the perfect option of name/size/price, I might want to switch it up a little for this event. Partagas shorts seem to be a good fit too in price and size but I don't think I've had one before. I hear good things about HUHC but thats just a little too small. RyJ Petit Royales look to be a good size and price but I've never had them. I would like to keep the general consumption cigars to around the same price range as Monte 4's. Also, what do you guys think about having all 75 the same cigar or mix it up between 3 different cigars, 25 each?

As a side note to the regular cigars, many of my friend's girlfriends/wives will smoke cigars at events like this and they enjoy the small mini cigars sold in the tins, the non-cuban montecristo/cohibia ones. Not sure if there is an equivalent in the CC realm but 20 of those little ones would be nice to have if it was an option.

For the groomsmen, probably something between and 42-52 RG and 4-5" long. I'm open to suggestions but I was thinking ballpark $15-25 a stick.

Finally, my cigar for the night. Probably my favorite CC I've ever had was a Behike 54 but I hear Behike's are harder to get nowadays. Three or so years ago they weren't everywhere but it wasn't too hard to track them down. Outside of that behike, my favorite go to special occasion cigar(even though its not a CC) has always been one of the Padron Anniversary maduro's, such as the Padron 1926 Maduro No.47. To give an idea as to personal taste preferences, I loved the Oliva V back in the day but the Nic kick would probably hit me too hard now. I've never had a Padron Maduro I didn't like. Fuente Anejo is tasty and I love the Fuente WOAM. Dark and rich are great and I really value draw and construction(one of the things I love about the Padron 1926).

Finally, my knowledge on sources hasn't been updated in the last 4 years. I'm the one that set all my friends up with sources 6 or so years ago and they're still happy with the main source they still use but I didn't know if there was anything new I needed to know along that line.
 
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Nacho Daddy

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smart to plan this far ahead
Get a box of Monte 4 for you and the boys. $160.00
San Cristobal El Principe (4 x 40 ) for everyone else, Partagas Shorts for the big time smokers. 115 to 125.00 a box
Box of Por Larranaga Panatelas for the ladies, leaves plenty left over.
or some Partagas and Romeo Mille Fleurs, good sticks , just a bit bigger (5 x 42 ) currently 90.00 a box.
 

AlohaStyle

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You already said the magic words... Party Shorts and HUHC, lol. Honestly, both are excellent and would be a great option so that people who don't smoke much can choose a small cigar, and, like you said, people won't spend all night smoking.

Nacho gave some good ideas. Only other thing I would add is to think about getting a box of Romeo y Julietta Exhibicion #4 Robustos. This is a well-known brand that has good flavor and offers a bigger cigar for the ones that would want it. They are priced more expensive than the shorties, but I think offering a Robusto would be nice for the dude that just wants to feel like he's smoking a cigar, not some little cigarette. lol

For you and your groomsmen, got something nice. I really like Trinidad and you could either get the Vigia for a shorter smoke, or the La Trova for a longer smoke. But no matter what, smoking a good Party Short IS smoking something nice. :)
 
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I’d say give more variety for general smokes because many people won’t want a full body have to sit down smoke. I’d suggest 5-10 5 Vegas golds,cao margaritavilles. Also label them and make a sign about each cigar so people can pick wisely.
 
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A box each of Partagas Mille Fleurs, RyJ Mille Fleurs and HUHC. And like @AlohaStyle suggested, a box of RyJ #4’s for your more serious smokers. But I wouldn’t put that box out because every second cousin, brother-in-law and uncle that is half in the bag will automatically go for those. Then you will have 17 half smoked robustos laying around when they changed their mind and realized they really weren’t cigar smokers after all. As far as where to pick them up, nothing much has changed in the last 4 years your spoke about. Go with what you know.
 

tfb5701

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Thanks for the info so far. Every comment is helping me think though the options here. I didn't consider it but maybe it would be good to make sure one of the boxes was a nice mild cigar for the newbies. Since thats not my area of preference, what would be a good CC for that category? Party shorts would definatly be on the stronger/full end of the spectrum so they wouldn't be a good candidate for the "mild" box.
 
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Glassman

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Thanks for the info so far. Every comment is helping me think though the options here. I didn't consider it but maybe it would be good to make sure one of the boxes was a nice mild cigar for the newbies. Since thats not my area of preference, what would be a good CC for that category? Party shorts would defiantly be on the stronger/full end of the spectrum so they wouldn't be a good candidate for the "mild" box.
Maybe the RyJ milles would be a good fit for that?

My first thoughts were party shorts, Boli PC's and rascc.

Maybe ERDM demi tasse would make a good short light smoke?

Or Tom's recommendation of the El Principle?
 
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I did a cigar bar for my sisters outdoor wedding a couple years ago and this was my experience.

I had bought way more than necessary as this was also a gift to my sister/brother-in-law. It was a humidor and all the cigars but missed out on a few things as I got tied up doing pictures and other wedding party duties.

As said earlier this was an outdoor wedding with a large barn area for the reception but it also included a fire pit area. This was a place that was designed to host weddings and events. Roughly 125 people with zero kids invited. A very adult party with lots of good beer/alcohol.

I had planned to personally pass out cigars as I had stocked the humidor with a range of decent mid grade to great premium smokes. Based on who I knew and how they answered a few questions I would select their cigar. Got tied up doing wedding party duties, the cigars bar was a huge hit but everyone just took as they wanted and found bums smoking premiums and many others thrown in the fire pit as they quickly grew tired of a cigar. Many people who “occasionally” smoke a cigar would honestly have no idea what they are smoking. I did have a chance to grab a select few a give them a great smoke but found out most people enjoyed a normal everyday cigar.

I have had many people who know I smoke cigars and come asking when they need a few for some event, celebration or party. After seeing most people just enjoy decent cigars I don’t really see the need for anything over the top. I think you could really save some $$$ with downgrading to a more basic cigar with some great smokes for the real smokers in the crowd.

This is just my experience with giving away smokes to “I smoke cigars” crowd and a $5 smoke achieves the same as a $20. Plus it hurts my soul to see even a great $10 cigar to be left to die as someone got bored of smoking a cigar.




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I would keep the CC for your groomsmen and any friends that are regular smokers that would truly appreciate a good CC. The rest of the guests would get some decent NC smokes.
To name a few NC smokes
anything from Dunbarton T&T
your favorite Padron
Roma Craft
BLTC killer bee, morphine, sindustry
Dapper, Cubo, La Madrina, El Borracho
Crowned Heads, Yellow Rose, Waltz


I will leave the CC advise to the ones that know.
 

kit_luce

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Not super mild but black works rorshacks are cheap, good, and quick.

Although, the la palina classic connie is a good mild smoke, but bigger though, can get a 20 box for 107
 
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Disclaimer, I'm not an expert on CC's. Or NC's. Or anything, really... But I'm gonna say go with CC's. I like CC and NC both, but the average CC isn't any more expensive than a good NC, and there's a wow factor there for non-smokers because "wow, Cuban cigars!"

I think Party and RyJ MF are great suggestions - they're good smokes. and possibly a better choice than any minutos because they offer more cigar experience to those who will smoke them, and at a slightly lower price, so no big deal when some get tossed early. Medium strength at best, won't make anyone hurl.

If you want even milder options, I like the HdM palmas extra and RyJ coronitas en cedro - only 40rg but 5 to 5.5 long, still pleasant smokes and even cheaper than the aforementioned MF's.

That's 4 boxes so far, and you're only looking at about $350 if you buy them right now while they're all on sale at one certain vendor... just sayin. If I needed 75 cigars for such a crowd, these are probably the 100 I would start with.

If you need tiny cigars for the ladies - ERdM demi tasse were mentioned, I think Fonseca makes some tiny smokes too, not really my area of experience but both are said to be mild I think.

If you gotta supply something larger for the manly men, Vegueros get mixed reviews but they're good IMO, and cheaper than most other CC in the same rg. Tell people that they only come in boxes of 16 because 25 would be too much awesomeness. Also on sale right now at the same certain vendor.

At $15-20/stick for the groomsmen, you can get whatever you feel like smoking with them lol.

Finally, the jackass in me is forcing me to suggest you also get a box of 60rg Gurkhas just for the lolz factor ;)
 

tfb5701

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I definitely agree with the "don't spend too much on the "general admission" cigars. I was thinking of going with all CC's for the reason people stated a couple times above. I would probably spend about the same $4-7 on NC cigars that I was going to spend on CC cigars. Offering CC's gives the whole special "we're smoking cubans" for the people that don't usually smoke cigars and should cost about the same.

I also agree with the whole "don't waste $10 cigar" on the general passed out cigars. That would hurt me too considering I know many would be wasted. Thats why I'm planning on sticking on $4-7 for the general cigars. Its hard to go too cheap because between myself and a couple of my groomsmen, we've introduced cigars to a good portion of the friends that will be attending. They aren't sophisticated or super knowledgeable smokers but they are above the general population.

Has anyone tried the RyJ Petit Royales? Its a little short but the thicker RG makes up for it and it has good brand recognition. So far I'm definitely thinking a box of party shorts is on the list, probably a box of something RyJ, and then the last one is open.
 
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AlohaStyle

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Definitely agree above that the RyJ Mille Fleurs are great. If you want something milder with good flavor, the Por Larranaga Panetelas would by my choice. Not really the name recognition, but if you tell noobs they're smoking a cuban cigar, they won't care.
 

Nacho Daddy

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Smart to plan this far ahead
Get a box of Monte 4 for you and the boys. $160.00
San Cristobal El Principe (4 x 40 ) for everyone else, Partagas Shorts for the big time smokers. 115 to 125.00 a box
Box of Por Larranaga Panatelas for the ladies, leaves plenty left over.
or some Partagas and Romeo Mille Fleurs, good sticks , just a bit bigger (5 x 42 ) currently 90.00 a box.

I believe we have everything covered.
None of these cigars is really strong. And,they are all smallish.
Cubans..........right ?
 
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I helped with cigars at my sister’s wedding. Stay on the cheap side and save the CC’s for your groomsman.

After the first 10 minutes the veranda looked like after a battle from the movie Braveheart.... quarter smoked lifeless stogies scattered all over the place. Some guys will take a puff or two to fit in, others will run around and try to hoard them.

Either way it ws a very sad sight if you appreciate cigars. Akin to fine bottles of wine being taken out of a cellar and then left out in the sun to turn to vinigar by those you gave them to.
 

CopusolerX

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Congrats

Wedding cigars do not need to buy "fancy", they need to just get the job done, why, because everyone is enjoying everything else. Honestly, best way to go, is thousand series Padron cigars. Natural for wedding. You can smoke whatever you want during your wedding.
 
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First and foremost congratulation! For my cigar bar at my wedding I went with CC simply for the "I'm smoking a cuban" effect for the main guest. I went with a RYJ Sport Largos which is a 35 gauge, and rough 4.5"... presented well, was about $5/each and the leftovers were quick smoke for me after the fact. I also purchased my boxes a few months before hand to let them rest and age a little as i do not prefer green CC. For the boys get something nicer for you all to enjoy, PM me your address and i'll send you something to enjoy as a congratulations.
 
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