Frequently Asked Questions
Booking & Availability
Q: How far in advance should we book The Big Fizz for our wedding or event?
We recommend booking as early as possible, ideally 6–12 months in advance for peak wedding season (May–September). Last-minute bookings are sometimes available, so it’s always worth asking.
Q: Do you provide services all year round?
Yes! The Big Fizz is available for weddings, parties, and events in every season. We can serve at indoor or outdoor venues, including marquees, barns, gardens, and open fields.
Q: Do you cover my area?
We serve weddings and events within roughly 40 minutes of Market Harborough, including Leicester, Northampton, Corby, Kettering, Rugby, Lutterworth, Uppingham, Melton Mowbray, Oadby, Wellingborough, and many surrounding villages. Contact us for a full list.
Costs & Packages
Q: How much does it cost to hire The Big Fizz?
Prices depend on your event size, drinks menu, and hire package. We offer fixed-price drink packages, cash/card bars, and part-subsidised bars to suit your budget.
Q: What’s included in the hire fee?
Our hire includes the beautifully converted vintage horsebox bar, professional staff, glassware, drink chilling, and all agreed menu items. Delivery, set-up, and pack-down are also included.
Q: Do you offer drinks packages or pay-as-you-go?
Yes. Choose from:
-
Fully hosted bar (guests pay as they go)
-
Pre-paid packages (drinks included for a set period)
-
Part-subsidised (you put money behind the bar, then guests pay when it runs out)
Venue Types & Logistics
Q: Can you set up in a field, barn, or marquee?
Absolutely! We specialise in field, barn, and garden weddings. We just need a flat surface to park the horsebox and safe access for our vehicle.
Q: Do you need access to electricity and water?
Electricity is preferred, but we can operate without mains power using our own equipment. We bring water for bar use, but venue-supplied water is always helpful.
Q: How long does it take to set up and pack down?
We usually arrive 2–3 hours before serving time and need about 1–2 hours to pack away after service ends.
Licensing & Legal Requirements
Q: Do you have a licence to serve alcohol?
Yes, The Big Fizz holds all required licences to serve alcohol at your event.
Q: Can you arrange a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for my venue?
Yes. We can apply for a TEN if your venue doesn’t already have one.
Drinks Menu
Q: Can we customise the drinks menu?
Yes, we love creating a menu that suits your tastes and theme. Choose from craft beers, artisan gins, fizz, cocktails, mocktails, and more.
Q: Do you offer cocktails, mocktails, or non-alcoholic options?
Absolutely. We cater for all preferences so every guest can enjoy a drink.
Q: Can you supply locally sourced drinks?
Yes, we work with local breweries, distilleries, and suppliers to bring you unique regional flavours.
Special Requests
Q: Do you cater for vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-friendly options?
Yes. Please let us know your requirements when booking so we can source suitable options.
Q: Can you serve drinks in our own glassware?
Yes, although we supply high-quality ‘posh’ plastic glassware as standard and have real glass glassware for toasts if preferred. We can also hire glass if you have specific requirements for real glass. We prefer the posh plastic where possible, as like to ensure if the event is in a field or someone’s home garden, there is little chance of broken glass being left particularly where children play or animals graze.
Weather & Contingencies
Q: What happens if it rains or the weather is bad?
The Big Fizz has built-in cover at the serving hatches, and we can also operate inside a marquee or barn. We’ll work with you to ensure guests stay dry and happy. It’s unsurprisingly that the British are all very good at dealing with and making the best of our great British weather.
Events & Occasions
Q: What events are hampers and afternoon and cream teas suitable for?
Our catering is perfect for:
-
Weddings (especially outdoor or marquee receptions)
-
Engagements & anniversaries
-
Garden parties & picnics
-
Corporate events & networking
-
Celebrations of life
Q: Will you deliver to our venue?
Yes. We deliver within approximately 40 minutes of Market Harborough and can advise on delivery times to keep your food fresh. We can provide hamper picnics and afternoon or cream teas for events even if you aren’t using our Big Fizz mobile bar service.
Other Event Types
Q: Do you only do weddings?
Not at all! We cater for:
-
Corporate events
- Product launches and employee recognition events
-
Private parties and birthdays
-
Anniversaries and engagements
-
Celebrations of life
-
Festivals and community events
Ask About Our Luxury Artisan Picnic Hampers & Afternoon Teas
Ordering & Availability
Q: How far in advance should we order picnic hampers or afternoon teas for our event?
We recommend booking at least 4–6 weeks in advance, especially for weddings and large events. Smaller orders may be available with shorter notice, but availability is limited in peak season.
Q: Do you offer catering all year round?
Yes. Our hampers and teas are available year-round and can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors, making them perfect for summer garden parties, winter celebrations, and everything in between.
Q: Can we order catering alongside The Big Fizz mobile bar hire?
Absolutely. Our hampers and teas pair beautifully with our drinks service, giving your guests a complete food-and-drink experience.
Menu & Ingredients
Q: What is included in an artisan picnic hamper?
Our hampers are packed with locally sourced, high-quality produce and may include:
-
Artisan breads & crackers
-
British cheeses & charcuterie
-
Homemade chutneys & pickles
-
Fresh seasonal salads
-
Mini pies or savoury pastries
-
Fresh fruit
Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available on request.
Q: What’s the difference between cream tea and afternoon tea?
A cream tea includes scones, clotted cream, jam, and your choice of tea.
An afternoon tea is more indulgent, with finger sandwiches, savouries, scones, and a selection of cakes and sweet treats, plus tea or coffee.
Q: Can we customise the menu?
Yes. We can tailor your menu to suit your tastes, theme, and dietary requirements.
Q: Do you use local suppliers?
Yes. Wherever possible, we source ingredients from trusted local farms, bakeries, and artisan producers.
Dietary Requirements
Q: Can you cater for vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diets?
Yes. Please let us know your requirements when booking so we can prepare safe and delicious alternatives.
Q: Do you cater for allergies?
Yes. We can adapt our menus for common allergies such as nuts, dairy, and gluten. Please inform us in writing when placing your order.
Presentation & Service
Q: How are the hampers and teas served?
Hampers are beautifully presented in rustic wicker baskets or eco-friendly boxes. Afternoon teas can be served on traditional tiered stands or in individual boxes for outdoor events and cream teas are in hamper style boxes.
Q: Do you provide staff to serve the food?
We can provide staffed service alongside our bar hire, or we can deliver your hampers and teas ready to enjoy.
Q: Can the hampers be eaten without formal seating?
Yes. They are perfect for relaxed, informal celebrations where guests can mingle and graze at their leisure. We can provide it with or without eco-friendly bamboo cutlery if required. Picnic hampers are ideal for children too who can have sometimes very specific eating preferences.