Your food and beverage costs will be one of the biggest items in your overall wedding budget—and for good reason. While, yes, your big day is ultimately about celebrating the love between you and your partner, such an affair also centers around good hospitality, which includes memorable meals, refreshing drinks, and decadent desserts.
In addition to providing your guests with their drink of choice, the bar is often the spot your friends and family members come together at such a fête, serving as the “office water cooler” of your reception. As such, it’s an area that you should pay particular attention to. “We spend a surprising amount of time planning bar aesthetics,” says Susan Cordogan, a Chicago-based wedding planner and the founder of Big City Bride. “Custom shapes, sizes, finishes, and florals all matter because, as the central gathering place at the wedding, the bar has become a statement piece. It’s highly photographed and just as important as what’s being poured.”
Here, we break down seven of the most common bar types you might come across in the planning process—and explain the benefits and drawbacks of each. Read on for everything you need to know.
Open Bar
An open or “hosted” bar is the one of the most popular selections for U.S. weddings. “The term ‘open bar’ means the host covers the cost,” Cordogan says. Essentially, your guests can go up to the bar throughout the evening and order drinks free of charge. However, there are a few subcategories to consider. A limited open bar means that the couple or host has preselected what’s available to attendees, such as a white wine, a red wine, a beer or two, and a few cocktail options. Rather than including the full range of top-shelf spirits, a limited open bar can often be a more budget-friendly option.
When it comes to paying for an open bar, vendors will typically give you two options: a bar package, where you’ll pay a predetermined cost per guest that will allow for unlimited drinks within the given time frame, or by consumption, where you’ll pay a set bartender fee upfront—and then cover the cost of all of the drinks ordered by your attendees. The latter may work for intimate supper club-style events or at restaurant venues, but the former is typically required (or highly recommended) at venues with pre-set catering packages.
Full-Service Bar
While an open bar refers to who’s paying the bill, a full-service bar refers to what’s being served. “Generally speaking, full-service is a bar that includes a wide range of spirits alongside wine, beer, and craft cocktails, house-made mixers, and palate-pleasing garnishes,” Cordogan says. There are benefits and drawbacks to having a full-service bar. To start, it’s the most expensive option. “A full-service bar is the most elevated way to serve drinks, but make sure you plan to have proper staffing and bartenders to avoid lines,” Cordogan says, referring to the backlog that can be created by mixing craft cocktails to order. “In addition to walk-up bars, we suggest passing wine, Champagne, and a specialty cocktail or two to lessen the crush at the bar.”
Cash Bar
At a cash bar, your attendees will pay for each drink they order. This offering is one of the most controversial ones; many experts advise against opting for it at your reception. “Guests are there to celebrate with you, and asking them to pay for their own drinks doesn’t really align with the spirit of hospitality,” Cordogan says. If you’re trying to stick to a tight budget, she suggests having a limited open bar. “There are plenty of thoughtful ways to manage costs: offering just beer and wine along with a couple of signature cocktails, or limiting bar hours,” she adds. “Whether it’s a full bar or a pared-down selection, it’s about hosting graciously. The goal is to create an atmosphere where no one is reaching for their wallet—just enjoying the celebration.”
Photo by Kurt Boomer
Specialty or Cocktail-Only Bar
Offering a signature cocktail is one of the ways modern couples often add a personal touch to their bar service. However, in addition to paying homage to your favorite liquor or the spot of your first date, having a bar dedicated to just one or two such drinks also cuts down on long lines.
“Specialty cocktail bars are especially popular at destination weddings,” Cordogan says. “They’re playful, great conversation starters, and a creative way to showcase the local flavors or culture. For instance, a destination wedding in France might feature a ‘Bubbles, Bordeaux & Burgundy Bar.’ A wedding in Mexico could have a tequila tasting bar. Southern weddings often lean into bourbon bars.” Want to offer a non-alcoholic option at your nuptials? Consider doing so at your speciality bar.
Self-Service Bar
Ideal for ultra-intimate weddings or backyard affairs, a self-service bar is one where your guests pour their own drinks—no bartenders required. While the lack of staffing will save you a bit of money, know that this is often a controversial choice, especially when it comes to affairs with a longer guest list. “I’m not a fan of self-service bars,” Cordogan says. “In some places, they’re not even legal, and they tend to be messy. Guests don’t want to juggle ice scoops or lime wedges in their formal wear, or risk splashing a cocktail down their outfit. And much like a buffet, self-service bars often create lines—never ideal at a wedding.”
If you do want to have a self-service bar, consider setting one up with pre-batched drinks with specialty garnishes: Bloody Mary skewers at a brunch wedding—or a build-your-own hot cocoa bar at a winter celebration.
Photo by Allan Zepeda
Mobile Bar
Mobile bars began trending in the mid-2000s, when refurbished trailers appeared at rustic-inspired affairs. “Mobile bars bring both form and function,” Cordogan says. “One of my favorites is a mini mobile bar built from a Piaggio Ape—a three-wheeled Italian vehicle that’s small enough to roll through double doors yet powerful enough to serve a variety of cocktails. If space is tight, a roving drink cart works beautifully, circulating with martinis, port, or whatever matches the menu. For outdoor weddings, a ‘tap truck’ has a larger presence and a larger beverage selection.”
However, this type of bar often serves a dual purpose, providing an ideal backdrop for your guests to snap a picture or two. “Styled with flowers, décor, or signage, these bars always get guests sipping and snapping photos throughout the celebration,” Cordogan says.
Experiential Bar
Rather than having to simply wait in line while their cocktail is mixed, with an experiential bar, guests are part of the process. For example, you may offer a brief mixology course—or a “ring for a drink” wall with hidden bartenders. “Ice luges are always a hit,” Cordogan says. “You can freeze fruit, flowers, or even food in the sculpture to match the wedding or featured cocktail. I also love mixing a specialty bar with food: Champagne with caviar, sake with sushi, or wine and charcuterie. Pairing beverages and bites creates an elevated culinary experience.”
