{"id":697703,"date":"2018-11-21T14:00:11","date_gmt":"2018-11-21T20:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/junebugweddings.com\/wedding-blog\/?p=697703"},"modified":"2021-04-05T13:34:49","modified_gmt":"2021-04-05T18:34:49","slug":"ultimate-guide-wedding-reception-bar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/junebugweddings.com\/wedding-blog\/ultimate-guide-wedding-reception-bar\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide to Your Wedding Reception Bar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Image by Jordan Voth<\/a>. See more of this real wedding here<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

From properly stocking your reception bar to selecting the overall style—there are endless tasks that go into bringing to life <\/span>a cozy wedding reception<\/span><\/a>, bar included. Let’s be honest, the reception bar is always one of the most popular elements of your wedding—for you and for your guests. <\/span>
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As a general rule, you should plan to allocate about 10 to 20% of your <\/span>overall wedding budget <\/span><\/a>for your reception bar. That includes all the bartenders, alcohol, mixers, garnishes, tools, fees, tips, and so on. Because the wedding reception bar will take up such a large portion of your budget, you’ll want to thoroughly research and price out your options before committing to one. <\/span><\/p>\n

This reception <\/span>planning resource <\/span><\/a>will walk you through everything you need to know about planning for a wedding reception bar—taking into account your <\/span>budget<\/span><\/a> and wedding style. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Image by Heirlume Photography<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Professional Bar or DIY Bar <\/span><\/h2>\n

There are a few different options to consider for your wedding reception bar, all of which will depend on your venue’s rules, requirements, and your <\/span>allotted budget<\/span><\/a>. If you’re looking for the most low-maintenance option, a professional bar that’s stocked and staffed by either the venue or a <\/span>third-party full bar service<\/span><\/a> is ideal. This typically includes marked-up alcohol prices and service fees, but it’s the perfect option for couples who don’t want the hassle of micro-managing their wedding reception bar.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the <\/span>DIY lovers<\/span><\/a> looking to save on your <\/span>wedding day budget<\/span><\/a>, stocking a bar yourselves is a less expensive alternative. You’ll have to decide what types and quantities of alcohol to buy. It may seem daunting, but we’ve got you covered with the calculations below. <\/span><\/p>\n

Keep in mind that, even with <\/span>a DIY bar and wedding<\/span><\/a>, you should hire a professional bartender to serve your drinks rather than have a self-serve bar. Depending on your state and venue’s rules and regulations, you may be required to have certified bartenders—be sure to do your research before getting too far down the DIY path. <\/span><\/p>\n

Or Do Both Professional And DIY Reception Bar Options<\/span><\/h3>\n

For those in-between couples who just want to purchase the alcohol but don’t want to deal with anything else, a bartending service that provides a bartender, rentals, setup, and cleanup is also a great middle-ground option. Whichever type you choose, you’ll want to know which reception bar style you’re looking for before speaking with vendors.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Images by  Jessica Jones Photography<\/a> and I Got Shot by Lisa Marie<\/a>. See more of this styled-shoot here<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Reception Bar Styles <\/span><\/h2>\n

Open Bar <\/span><\/h3>\n

An open bar is one of the most popular bar styles for weddings. It functions exactly as its name suggests—the host pays a flat rate and the guests can order as many drinks as they like.<\/span><\/p>\n

Consumption Bar <\/span><\/h3>\n

A consumption bar is similar to an open bar. The only difference is that rather than paying a flat rate, a consumption bar requires the hosts to pay per drink at the end of the event. <\/span><\/p>\n

Cash Bar <\/span><\/h3>\n

A cash bar requires guests to pay for their own drinks throughout the night—the hosts do not cover the cost. This isn’t a very common reception bar option but could be a solution for couples sticking to a strict budget. Make sure your guests know this ahead of time so they can cover their tabs. <\/span><\/p>\n

Dry Bar <\/span><\/h3>\n

If you don’t drink, consider a dry bar instead. Simply provide a mix of sodas, juices, flavored waters, tea, and anything else you love—no alcohol required. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Image by Heirlume Photography<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

How To Stock A Reception Bar <\/span><\/h2>\n

As a general guide, assume each guest will consume one drink per hour of your reception. Some guests might drink more, some might drink less—that general equation provides a reliable starting point. For a five-hour wedding reception with 100 guests, you’d need to have enough alcohol for 500 drinks.<\/span><\/p>\n

When picking out alcohol, keep in mind the following standard volume-to-quantity calculations:<\/span><\/p>\n