Some tips on how to get the most out of your chocolate fountain ....

 

Make sure you have an operator

When you have invited more guests than you can talk to all at once, a mischievous one could go unnoticed. Your operator will be prepared to intervene if a guest is spotted filling glasses with chocolate, flicking chocolate or using the fountain in an unhygienic manner (for example sticking your tongue, or other body part, into the fountain). The operator will also be on hand to help any children to dip with as little mess as possible and will be experienced in ensuring that the fountain flows optimally at all times by removing blockages or air pockets.

Advise your operator of any special requests at the beginning of operating time and, if you have any certain rules that you would like to impose on the fountain for the running time, make sure that your operator is aware from an early stage in the set-up process. As the bride and groom you might like to be the first to dip and then have your photos taken whilst the fountain is still clean. You may also wish that children are politely turned away if it becomes apparent that they are eating too much.

 

Position the fountain carefully

In a reception room it is best to avoid positioning the fountain too close to a door, bar or where it may cause obstruction to a walkway. Chocolate fountains attract a lot of attention and, at times, the area can be thronged with interested dippers. If positioned badly, this can cause great inconvenience to others using the same area. It is also advisable that a chocolate fountain is positioned on the side of the room nearest to the exit as a lot of equipment will need to be removed after dismantling. It is preferable for your guests and the operator, that this is carried out with as little inconvenience as possible. Care should be taken when having a chocolate fountain in a marquee as it is more likely that the floor will be unstable and uneven; the fountain is best positioned on the flattest and most stable area of floor covering.

 

What would be the best time of operation for a chocolate fountain?

This will depend on whether your feature is used for the wedding breakfast or part of the evening reception. One option is to have the chocolate fountain running during the wedding breakfast and then invite your guests to a dipping dessert table-by-table. If you were to choose this option then you must ensure that the fountain is set up by the time that your guests take their seat to avoid any disturbance and to maximise first impressions. Although the motor noise from the fountain is drowned out by chatter and DISCO sounds, during quieter episodes it could be a distraction for the guests sat close by. It is, therefore, not advisable to have a chocolate fountain operating during speeches. If you are having a fountain for an evening reception/party, first impressions are better if your guests arrive to see the fountain fully operational so it is wise to request that the chocolate fountain start time is the same as that on your guests’ invites. Some hosts prefer the fountain to begin at the same time as the buffet is put out but there are two disadvantages with this. Firstly the fountain set-up will be observed by guests, thus reducing the initial impact, and secondly it will be running later and may be more at risk of abuse by guests who have had a little too much to drink.

 

Which chocolate should I choose?

Almost everyone opts for milk chocolate which is a sure-fire hit! It is, however, possible to choose a variety of flavours. As people become more familiar with the sight of a fountain, why not try some of the other options as an even bigger WOW factor? Two very popular flavours are white chocolate (which themes brilliantly for a big white wedding) and after dinner mint dark chocolate (which is a great treat following the final coffee course of a wedding breakfast).

 

Which dips should I choose?

The sugary choices such as fudge, marshmallows and profiteroles are always very popular but it is advisable to have a selection of fruit and confection choices to dip into the chocolate. Many guests are also drawn to the lighter fruit option, especially if the fountain is used after a several course wedding breakfast or dinner. Strawberries are absolutely essential, pineapple is delicious with chocolate and grapes are often a useful choice as they are a light fruit that guests can easily eat without chocolate if they prefer. An experienced chocolate fountain company will bring dips in a ratio that reflects the popularity so there should be plentiful supplies of each throughout the operating time.