“I know we give people the gift of time, because we’re experts in putting together the beverage part of people’s special events,” says Boel Laxfoss, owner and operator of Beverages by Boel. Through her beverage catering company, Boel not only provides custom cocktails and mocktails, wine, beer, coffee, hydration stations, all the accouterments like ice, cups, napkins, and portable bars—she bartends, too!
Photograph by Kristen Boehm
Beverages by Boel began in 2008 when Boel gifted her bartending services to a friend, then worked 32 weddings the following summer. In the nearly 20 years since, she’s grown her business through word of mouth, and has “a team of four amazing people” who assist based on event size.
“It’s just a joyful, happy experience,” says Boel about why she loves her business. “I enjoy the people, and helping them get more time with their family and friends.”
Going into 2025, Laxfoss had three goals: to focus on sustainability, to continue to support local businesses, and to expand to a full-service beverage catering model. Being full-service means never having to deal with “little hiccups” like someone’s tardy “Uncle Bob, who was supposed to bring the keg at 2 o’clock.” Now, everything pertaining to the beverages at your event is included in Boel’s service packages, including libations from breweries, cideries, and distilleries local to Whatcom.
Boel caters tons of weddings in the summer, plus breakfast meetings, special occasions, and other events year-round. In July, they’ll be at Race Week, a 4-day sailing event that moved from Anacortes to Bellingham this year. Swing by for a Dark ’N’ Stormy and tell Laxfoss we sent you! beveragesbyboel.com
