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Love is intoxicating, and your wedding bar should be too! From the first “I do” to the last dance, the right mix of drinks can turn your special day into an unforgettable celebration.
Make your dreamy wedding venue a hit with our guide on crafting the perfect wedding bar menu that is guaranteed to complement your theme, delight your guests, and keep the party buzzing through the night.
The wedding bar is what pours magic into your special day—especially if it’s an adult-only affair. If you want to keep the drinks flowing and the vibes going, stock your bar wedding menu with the right drinks and quantities.
Here’s how to ensure your wedding bar is a success.
Before selecting spirits, consider the guest list. Are they fans of beers, wines, or cocktails? Cater to their tastes while avoiding obscure varieties that may not be crowd-friendly. Understanding your audience will help you allocate your wedding bar budget effectively and avoid overbuying or running out of popular items—that’s a headache waiting to happen!
Speaking of getting the right quantities, keep track of the number of guests to ensure you have enough stock of libations on the big day. Plan for one drink per guest per hour of the wedding reception or use a wedding alcohol calculator to get an estimate. Leave wiggle room in case the fun drags on for longer—better to have a little extra than run out mid-celebration.
The time of year can influence drink choices. Spring and summer weddings call for refreshing fruity cocktails, crisp white wines, and light beers. Fall and winter weddings, on the other hand, call for rich, warm drinks—think deep reds, mulled wines, sparkling ciders, and dark beers. Align your wedding bar menu with the season to enhance the overall experience.
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A well-stocked bar wedding menu should cater to different tastes. Even if, say, most of your guests are beer fans, chances are some will prefer other types of drinks. So, stock up on different kinds so there’s something for everyone.
Aside from alcohol, your wedding drink menu should have essential mixers and garnishes. You can’t make exceptional mixed drinks without them!
Of course, you can’t enjoy your wedding bar if you don’t have the right glassware. They not only enhance the drinking experience but also add to the overall aesthetic of your celebration. Ensure you have a mix of glasses to accommodate different drinks.
Adding one or two signature cocktails to your menu is a great way to personalize your wedding bar and save on costs. Custom drinks can reflect your taste as a couple, complement your wedding colours or theme, and offer a unique IG-worthy experience for guests.
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Don’t forget about non-drinkers and designated drivers. Ensure your wedding drink menu offers plenty of non-alcoholic options to keep them happy and giggly too.
Now that we know the basics of stocking your bar, let’s break down the types of drinks to include in your wedding bar menu:
| Beer | You can stick to one kind, or offer a variety of popular styles like:
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| Wine | No matter the season, it’s good to offer these as a rule of thumb:
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| Spirits | Stock these basic liquors for cocktails or shots:
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| Non-Alcoholic Drinks |
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| Mixers and Garnishes | Stock mixers and garnishes that go with the specific cocktails you want to offer. Some basics include:
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You have your wedding bar menu down, but you’re not done yet! The way you serve drinks at your wedding can impact both the guest experience and your budget. Here are some popular bar service styles.
A consumption bar is a flexible option where you pay for what guests actually drink. It’s one of the most wedding-friendly solutions because it allows you to offer a full wedding bar while maintaining control over costs. Here’s how you can limit your options and bar costs:
With a consumption bar, you can set limits or make adjustments throughout the event if needed.
What’s an open bar? A bar that offers guests unlimited drinks at no cost to them. While this is the most generous option, it can also be the most expensive. You can limit your open bar wedding to a few select types of alcoholic beverages, but it can still be a significant expense compared to other types of bar service.
Guests pay for their own drinks at a cash bar. While this type of wedding bar can save money, it’s generally not recommended as it can be seen as inhospitable. It’s also a little less fun and festive, because guests may drink less, especially if they face logistical inconveniences while ordering (having cash on hand, falling in line, handling transactions, etc.)
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A well-stocked wedding bar is the key to pumping joy and merriment throughout your wedding day, and as your local wedding location experts, we’re here to make it a piece of (wedding) cake!
Forget the stress of managing and stocking your own wedding bar. With our consumption bar service, you call the shots (pun intended), we’ll keep glasses full, and you only pay for what’s poured. No need to buy bottles on your own—we got it all covered! We’ll even help you draw a wedding bar menu that suits your style and budget.
Forget the alcohol shopping list—let us stir up the perfect bar for your wedding day. Contact our team today.
Contact us now to book a site visit, and see what our unique 4 floor venue has to offer.
