George Boyle
Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, and setting up a DIY bar is no exception. It's important to consider the type of bar you want, from a full bar to a modified bar or even just beer and wine. The number of drinks you'll need depends on various factors, including the guest count, duration of the event, season, and wedding style. You'll also need to decide whether to hire a bartender or set up a self-service bar. In addition to alcohol, don't forget about mixers, garnishes, and non-alcoholic beverages. Let's explore the essential supplies you'll need to create a memorable DIY bar experience for your big day.
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol and drinks
A full bar with multiple alcohol options is possible, but it is not recommended to DIY due to the complexity and cost. A modified bar with a few specialty drinks, including two to three craft cocktails, is a good option. Alternatively, a beer and wine-only bar is a much simpler choice, and you won't need to hire a professional bartender. As a rule of thumb, for a wedding with 150 guests, plan for 60% of guests to drink wine and 40% to drink beer. You can also offer pre-mixed drinks like Pimms in big drinks dispensers for guests to help themselves.
If you want to serve cocktails, you'll need to consider the ingredients required, including mixers and garnishes like lemons, limes, tonic, soda, and cherries. You can also provide fun garnish sticks or customised cocktail napkins. It is important to ensure you have enough ice, and it is recommended to research ice providers in your area.
When it comes to glassware, you can provide disposable cups, or rent glassware, ensuring you have enough for each guest to have a water glass. You can also ask guests to hold onto their glasses with cute tags or labels and provide disposable backups for those who misplace them.
Remember to shop around for the best prices on alcohol, and consider bulk discounts. You can also buy drinks on a sale-or-return basis, but be careful with chilling bottles in cold water as the labels may come off. Finally, don't forget to communicate with your bartender, if you have one, about their preferences and requirements.
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Glassware
You can source glassware from the same place as your other rentals, or you can provide your own glasses. If you want to save money, you could even use disposable cups, although this is less environmentally friendly. It is also possible to rent glassware, and many rental providers offer water goblets and traditional highball glasses, which can be used for water.
If you are having 150 guests, you should plan for 150 water glasses for the table settings, plus extras for vendors and water requests at the bar. You should also consider whether you want to provide a fresh glass for each of your guests' drinks, or if you are happy for them to keep the same glass throughout the event. If you want to encourage guests to keep their glasses, you could provide cute tags or labels and a pen to help them keep track. However, you should ensure your bartender has backup disposable cups available for those who misplace theirs.
If you are serving beer on tap, wine on tap, or cocktails on tap, you will need different draft equipment, such as a kegerator conversion kit.
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Bar design and equipment
The design of your DIY wedding bar can be tailored to fit your wedding theme. You can opt for a rustic look by using upcycled pallets or barn wood, or choose a pre-stained material available at retail hardware stores. If you're serving beer, wine, or cocktails on tap, you'll need draft equipment. For a step-by-step guide on how to build your own DIY wedding bar, including the tools and materials required, you can refer to online resources.
When it comes to equipment, you'll need a minimum of two tables: one for guests to line up and one for bartenders to use as a work surface and storage. You can rent taller tables or portable bars from event rental companies, or a regular table will also work. A long tablecloth can be used to hide any unsightly items underneath.
Depending on your venue, you may also need to rent glassware or purchase disposable cups. It's recommended to have enough glasses for each guest to have a water glass, in addition to any other drinks you plan to serve. If you're concerned about the environmental impact of disposables, you can encourage guests to hold onto their glasses by providing cute tags or labels and a pen.
To keep drinks cold, you'll need ice and large buckets or coolers. It's a good idea to have one bucket or cooler for each type of drink to make it easier for bartenders to find what they need. Additionally, you'll want to have bar rags for your bartenders—aim for one rag per hour for each bartender, plus a few extra.
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Ice and coolers
Ice Management:
First, determine how much ice you'll need. Calculate the number of drinks you plan to offer and use an ice calculator to estimate the required amount in pounds. Don't forget to account for ice that will be used in guests' glasses as well. It's better to overestimate than run out of ice midway through the celebrations.
Coolers and Buckets:
Now, let's talk about storing and presenting your ice. You'll need both large and small containers:
- Large coolers with lids are ideal for storing extra ice. Keep them in a cool, shaded area, such as under the tables, to prevent the ice from melting too quickly.
- Big buckets or party tubs are perfect for holding your cans and bottles of beer, wine, and soft drinks. These can be easily sourced from stores like Walmart, Target, Kmart, or any liquor store. Consider getting one bucket for each type of drink to make it easier for guests to find their preferred beverage.
- Small buckets or bar-top containers are handy for holding ice at the bar, making it convenient for bartenders to access when preparing drinks.
Keeping Drinks Cold:
To ensure your drinks stay chilled, follow these simple steps:
- Layer your drinks in the buckets or tubs with ice. Allow sufficient time for the drinks to chill, especially if they weren't previously refrigerated.
- If you have access to a fridge or a cooler area of your venue, store your extra drinks there.
- To prevent ice from melting too quickly, consider using rock salt. Test different mixtures of ice and salt to find the optimal combination.
- Try stacking or layering tubs or bowls to create an insulating barrier between the outside heat and the ice and drinks.
- For an eco-friendly and decorative touch, fill balloons with water and freeze them. As they melt, replace them with new frozen ones, and recycle the water.
Other Tips:
- Research ice providers in your area. They can deliver large quantities of ice directly to your venue, saving you time and effort.
- If you're concerned about the aesthetics of coolers, consider hiding them with a long tablecloth or a creative drape.
- Keep your bartenders in the loop. Communicate your plans and ensure they have all the supplies they need to set up the bar according to their preferences.
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Garnishes and mixers
For mixers, it is important to consider the types of drinks you plan to serve. Tonic, soda, and ginger beer are commonly used mixers for cocktails and liquor. If you are serving beer, wine, and cocktails, you will need different draft equipment. Serving beer and wine on tap can be a cost-effective option, and you can buy or rent kegs and the necessary equipment. Alternatively, you can serve canned or bottled beer and wine, which can be kept in large ice buckets or a tin bath.
When planning your garnishes and mixers, it is crucial to consider the preferences of your guests. If you know your guests well, you can adjust the ratio of beer, wine, and spirits to suit their tastes. For example, if you know your guests prefer wine, you can increase the number of wine options or vice versa. Additionally, consider the style and theme of your wedding. A casual backyard BBQ wedding, for example, would typically feature more refreshing beverages and beer.
To ensure you have enough garnishes and mixers, it is recommended to overbuy rather than run out during the event. You can shop around for special offers and discounts in the months leading up to your wedding. Alcohol generally has a long shelf life, so you can buy it in advance and store it in a cool, dark place. If you are concerned about overbuying, some liquor stores may buy back any unopened or unused alcohol, but this varies by state or country laws.
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Frequently asked questions
This depends on the type of wedding bar you want to have. There are three basic types of wedding bars: full bar, modified bar, and beer and wine only. A full bar is not recommended for a DIY setup, as it will be very expensive and difficult to manage. A modified bar is a good option if you want to offer a few specialty drinks that you and your partner love, along with some crowd-pleasers. A beer and wine-only bar is a much simpler option that doesn't require a professional bartender. You can use a formula to calculate the number of drinks you'll need based on your guest count, the number of hours you'll be serving, and if you want to offer special drinks for cocktail hour, toasts, or pre-ceremony. It's also important to consider the season and style of your wedding when choosing your drinks.
You will need tables for the bar, including one for guests to line up at and one for bartenders to use as a work surface and storage. You'll also need bar rags (one for every hour for each bartender, plus extras), a large cooler with a lid for ice, and big buckets or a tin bath to keep your cans and bottles cold. Glassware is another important consideration - you can rent glasses or provide disposable ones. If you're serving cocktails, you'll need garnishes like lemons, limes, and cherries, as well as mixers such as tonic, soda, and ginger beer. Don't forget to supply a selection of soft drinks and water, too.
It's important to calculate how many drinks you'll be serving to ensure you don't run out during the reception. You can use an alcohol calculator or work with a bartender to refine your shopping list and get a cost estimate. It's generally recommended to overbuy rather than risk running out, and you may be able to return any unopened bottles to the store. Buying in bulk can often get you a discount, and some liquor stores will buy back any alcohol you don't use.
