How to Choose the Right Wedding Bar | Shopping
Wondering what type of wedding bar is best for you? I’ve got you covered! Today I’m discussing the ins and out of the most popular types of wedding bars so you can choose the one that’s best for you. Read on to learn more!
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A WEDDING BAR
The first thing you need to decide is exactly which type of bar you foresee being a part of your celebration. Are you interested in a professional bar, staffed and fully stocked by your venue? A completely DIY option where you are responsible for providing all the alcohol and service? Or something in between? Once you have that vision in mind, it’s time to learn everything you need to know about that wedding bar setup.
KNOW THE RULES
For some couples, the decision about which wedding bar to choose will be dictated by your venue’s rules. The most typical wedding bar is one that is stocked and serviced by either a third-party vendor or your wedding venue. These bars usually come with up-charged alcohol prices in addition to service, bartender, and gratuity fees, some of which can be negotiable. Before contracting with your venue, ask about their wedding bar requirements and make sure those are compatible with the style of wedding bar you want.
DIY WEDDING BARS
Some venues will allow you to bring in your own alcohol and hire bartending staff. This option can help save money in some cases because you avoid some of the fees mentioned above. However, this option isn’t without its drawbacks. Keep in mind that when purchasing your own alcohol, you’ll need to factor in the time for purchasing, deciding what and how much to purchase, and arranging for the delivery, setup, and end of night clean-up. Also, don’t forget that with a full on DIY bar, you need to provide essentials like glasses, bottle openers, ice, napkins, and straws.
OPEN WEDDING BARS
Like its name suggests, an open bar is a bar in which guests can order basically any drink they wish at no cost to them. It’s a fully stocked bar that is prepaid by the couple. Some venues/vendors offer different tiers and price options for open bars. For example, a basic vs. premium open bar would differ on not only the price, but also the brands and variety of alcohol served.
Choosing a basic open bar package is a great way to make hosting a wedding bar for your guests more affordable and therefore more attainable. A full open bar is the best option for couples who have a large, younger crowd or who know their guests are going to drink a lot (and they’re okay with that). The reality is that with an open bar, people are more likely to drink and order multiple drinks. While some might feel that guests shouldn’t be asked for pay for anything when invited to share in the celebration of your wedding, if you or your partner are worried about guests getting too intoxicated due to an open bar, you do have the option of limiting your bar options to only beer and wine, for example.
CONSUMPTION WEDDING BARS
Unlike an open bar where everything is prepaid, a consumption bar is charged per beverage consumed and is totaled out at the end of the night. Something to keep in mind when pricing out your consumption bar is that often guests will get fresh drinks more rapidly than if they were paying for them. Why is this important? If you feel a consumption bar will be most cost-effective for your event, make sure to add in a few extra drinks per guest to err on the safe side.
A bill on consumption bar is ideal for events in which there are numerous older guests, slow drinkers, and non-drinkers. For brunch weddings, consumption bars might be best because people tend to drink less earlier in the day. This can also be a good fit in for couples hosting a sit-down reception, as such formalities can slow guests’ trips to the bar.
CASH WEDDING BARS
A cash bar operates just like a normal bar at a restaurant. Guests walk up and order their drinks and then pay the corresponding price to the bartender. A cash bar requires guests and not the couple to front the cost of their individual beverages for the entirety of the event.
This style of bar is not typically recommended, and here’s why: When you invite a friend over to your house for dinner, do you offer them a drink and then ask them to pay you for it? Of course not! That would be seen as impolite. The same is true when you’re hosting guests at your wedding. I suggest looking for other areas in your budget where you can cut back to avoid offering only a full cash bar at your wedding.
COMBINATION WEDDING BARS
If having a full-on open bar isn’t right for you but you want to be able to host some cocktails for your guests, the great news is you still have many options. For example, you can offer an open bar during cocktail hour and then only beer and wine during the reception. Another option is to offer an open bar up to a certain amount and after that amount is exceeded, convert to a cash bar for those who still want liquor (with some beer and wine available all night).
My favorite option for a combination wedding bar is offering a few select beer and wines in addition to selecting a signature cocktail or two for your guests to choose from. This allows guests the ability to have a few mixed beverages while still limiting the number of liquor bottles you have to pay for at the end of the night, allowing costs to be more closely managed. Signature cocktails are also a wonderful way to incorporate some individuality and personality to your wedding bar!
Regardless of which wedding bar you choose, keep in mind that it’s part of the overall vision for the biggest celebration of your lives. You want your guests to be happy, comfortable, and full of energy as they help you embark on married life. Do what works best for you…and cheers to a happy future!
MORE ABOUT WEDDING BARS & RELATED TOPICS
Choosing the right wedding bar is only one part of the wedding shopping process! If you’d like more tips about planning the perfect ceremony and reception, be sure to check out some of our other posts on these topics:
Wedding Reception Seating Options
Inspired Food and Cocktail Pairings for Your Wedding
8 Fun Ways to Incorporate Your Wedding Color Scheme
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Interested in learning more about our wedding planning services or have questions about choosing the right wedding bar for your event? We’re here to help! E-mail us at info@justmarry.com and a member of our team will get back to you right away. We’d love to welcome you into the Just Marry! family!
How to Choose the Right Wedding Bar | Shopping
