Cigars and Weddings

Cigars are often an excellent addition to weddings.  I take that back—maybe not during the actual wedding, but they’re definitely fun for the reception.  Going on the concept that your reception is some place that allows smoking and on top of that cigar smoking, plus is well ventilated or outdoors (except in California where they have even banned smoking outdoors), then you can have some excellent fun adding cigars to the reception.  Plus this a great way to re-establish your manhood in this process.

Cigars denote celebration and prestige. For your reception you have a couple of choices: bring in some boxes of cigars for all to enjoy or hire a cigar roller. If you’re going the box route, select cigars that are hand-rolled and noted for quality.  Stay away from anything available in your local supermarket or that has ‘Happy Wedding’ printed on it.  Although these are smokeable they’re not very enjoyable.  Go to your local cigar store and tell them you want a box(s) of cigars for your wedding.  I suggest something in the mild-to-medium strength level and around a Robusto size. Robusto cigars are about 5 inches long and a 50 ring gauge (about ¾ inch) in diameter.  They take about a half hour to smoke.  If you don’t have a cigar store in your area, go to www.cigar.com and talk to one of their representatives, they will fix you up properly.  If you go with any of the big cigar names, such as Fuentes, Padron, or Monte Cristo, I guarantee you no one will make fun of your selection.   You may want to stick to brands distributed by General Cigars (www.cigarworld.com).  These are excellent cigars and they restrict exorbitant mark-up by their retailers.  Expect to pay around $80-120 for a box of good cigars, which will hold 20 to 25 cigars.

At my daughter’s wedding in October, we’ll have a cigar roller (and Mariachi band) at the reception. I enjoy a freshly rolled cigar as much as a well-aged cigar, but they are different. Most all of the cigars you buy in a cigar store are aged somewhere between one to three months. A freshly rolled cigar is a unique combination of multiple tobacco leaves in varying states of humidity. The wrapper has to be moist to prevent tearing when going around the filler and binder. So, when you smoke a freshly rolled cigar, the aromas and flavors from the three types of tobaccos (filler, binder, and wrapper) are combining in your mouth. I love this combination.

Booking a Cigar Rolling Event
CF Dominicana out of New York City is available through www.cigarcatering.com. They provide a cigar roller for two hours who will roll 50 cigars during that time. If it is a special event, they will also include custom-designed cigar labels. The basic price is $975 and is available in most metropolitan areas. Contact information is at www.CigarCatering.com or 888.467.8400.

Boston Cigars Marcia Weaver is available for $250 per event with a $5.00 charge per cigar rolled. Custom labels are complimentary. Transportation over a two hour radius from Boston is extra. Marcia can be contacted through cigfactory@aol.com, or 617.429.1169.

Havana Dreams Cigar Factory out of the Tampa, Florida area has quite a few cigar rolling event packages available ranging from $600 to $1,750. You can find out more about their events by visiting www.havanadreamscigar.com/shows.html or calling 866.218.1717.