When budgeting for your wedding, there are always ways to cut corners, but sometimes that means putting in some time, energy, and love so that you can spend less money. It's time for a little creativity and planning because an open bar can cost anywhere between $1,000 to $6,000 depending on the location, type of alcohol, and number of guests!
Image from o nosso casamento
Bar Service
A DIY bar means that instead of hiring bartenders or a venue to provide the drinks, you will be providing bar service yourself. This bar is most likely a self-serve bar, though you can post a budgeted ad on craigslist or in the paper for a wedding bartender to add some extra help (or ask a friend of a friend?). This person can pour and refill any bottles that are provided so that you won't have to! It will most likely cost less than a venue bartender (at a hotel, country club, etc.) – but be sure to compare prices before hiring someone else.
How Much is Enough?
A DIY bar is great if you are having an intimate wedding. With your guest list in hand, estimate the number of drinks per person, then overshoot it just in case. For instance, if there are 100 adults over the age of 21, an estimate of 2-4 drinks per person is average (depending on your guests' drinking habits). The number of drinks should not be more than 400 total. This may seem like a large number, but it's an overestimate. Feel free to go below if you do not mind running out, or if you do not want to be stuck with leftover bottles.
Dividing this number up by types of drinks may be more difficult. To make it easier, just pick a few types of drinks. There are so many combinations, it's time for you to get creative! Think about what most of your guests will like to drink -whether they are wine connoisseurs, cocktail sippers, or beer lovers till the end! Calculate how many drinks per bottle, depending on the type of alcohol. For instance, a bottle of wine or champagne can usually pour 4-5 glasses (depending on the pourer).
Here are some samples of possible drink Menus for 4 types of guests. Each icon represents a type of drink, for instance, if it says 2 wines... that may mean one Merlot and one pinot grigio. Adjust accordingly!
When shopping for your drinks, remember to avoid the $30 wine bottles if you want to save money. Many larger stores will let you buy in bulk. Want good, cheap wine? I would got to Trader Joe's and get cases of their Charles Shaw, AKA "two buck chuck"!
Items at the Bar
Besides your actual alcohol, you will need to provide a few other essentials:
-Glasses for different types of drinks
-Lots of Ice
-Stirring straws
-Napkins
-A tray for dirty glasses
-Garnishes (ex: lemons, limes, oranges, cherries, mint leaves)
-Wine opener and wine stoppers
-Large serving containers
-A watchful eye for any kiddies trying to make their way to the bar!
Images: bottle stopper favor . wine glasses . straws . lemons . drink dispenser
Bar Buffet
So you don't want to hire a bartender, but you want to provide mixed drinks. It may be best to avoid letting guests mix their own drinks- they may not know what to mix, how much to mix, and may make a big mess at the bar. Instead, think of a few prepared recipes that can be enjoyed by most and make them before the wedding. Serve in large container with garnishes and guests won't have work too hard for their refreshments. Now to decide what sounds more your style – a simple gin and tonic, or some crazy concoction using pomegranate liqueur and pear juice?
My Favorite Part!
And last, but not least, I leave you with one of my favorite refreshing cocktails from head mixologist Toby Maloney from Chicago's speakeasy bar, The Violet Hour. The "Juliet & Romeo" makes a perfect wedding cocktail, light and refreshing and not stingy on the alcohol:
Images from LiquorSnob and BetaCocktails
Juliet & Romeo
2 oz Beefeater
.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice
.75 oz Simple Syrup
3 drops Rose Water
3 drops Angostura
3 slices Cucumber
3 sprigs Mint
Tiny pinch of salt
Glass: Coupe
Garnish: Mint leaf and 1 drop rose water/3 drops of Angostura Bitters.
Ice: None
Muddle cucumber, mint and pinch of salt. Add rest of ingredients. Let sit for 30 seconds (time allowing). Shake. Strain. Garnish with 1 floating mint leaf and 1 drop rose water on top of leaf, and 3 more drops of Angostura on the surface of the drink.
The pinch of salt is really, really small. It should be muddled with the cucumber to bring out it's freshness.
Want more drinks by Toby? Check this out. Seriously, he knows his stuff!
Fabulously inspiring and useful! I just love siggys!
Posted by: Christie O. {Hindsight Bride} | August 05, 2010 at 03:23 PM
How do you wash the glasses at a DIY bar??
Posted by: Lucy Kirby | July 03, 2011 at 02:27 PM
Lucy, great question. There are two options. At my wedding, I had staff and a full kitchen where they took care of glassware even though we provided our drinks and guests poured their own wine. Having a sink is key, of course! Another option if you do a DIY bar is to renting the glassware in which case you return the used glassware in the crates empty but not washed. These are details that are worked out with the vendor but don't fret, there are always ways to get around yucky details like who's washing the dishes on your wedding day! ;) Good luck.
Posted by: OK, Now What Bride | July 05, 2011 at 07:22 AM