Busy planning the perfect wedding reception? Cocktails & Bar Events can create a completely bespoke wedding bar package that beautifully complements your venue, decor and theme. Here are our top tips on hiring the bar that’s right for you.

Why Hire a Wedding Bar?

Hiring a wedding bar is a great way to cater for your wedding guests and take the strain off your table wait staff. You can keep the drinks flowing all night, treat your guests to their favourite tipples and earn some serious hosting points.

When choosing a bar service for your wedding, our event planners recommend planning with your budget and requirements in mind.

1. Budget Carefully

Research how much your wedding bar will cost and consider your budget. There are different mobile bar hire options at different price points.

All Inclusive Open Bars

Want to add an extra touch of indulgence to your wedding reception? Treat your guests to a fully stocked open bar and keep the drinks flowing all night. Our all-inclusive wedding bar package includes the hire of a fully stocked mobile bar that is staffed by an experienced cocktail bartender.

You can personalise the bar menu with photos, thoughtful messages and, of course, your favourite cocktails. We take care of everything for you, so all you need to do is relax, enjoy your big day and order a cocktail, or two — or three!

If your budget is tight, then this option may not be for you. While guests always appreciate an open bar, if you’ve got hundreds of guests keen to enjoy your generosity, then expenses can spiral.

Luckily there are some great ways to keep the cost of running a wedding bar down without having to limit the drinks per head.

Cash Bars

Want to keep an eye on your budget while indulging your guests? Why not opt for a  cash bar service and offer them the chance to purchase their own pints and cocktails?

You can provide the wine and water at dinner and the welcome drinks, and your guests can buy their evening drinks at the bar, paying by cash or card.

This is an increasingly popular option for weddings and allows you to control your spending while allowing your guests to splurge if they want to.

Bar Revenue Share Package

Some wedding bar providers — Cocktails & Bar Events included — provide a mobile bar hire package for weddings that covers all upfront costs, allows your guests to pay for their drinks and gives you a percentage of the commission earned from sales.

In the case of our bar revenue service, we will fully stock the bar with all the drinks you need, and provide professional bartending services from a master mixologist as well as a bespoke menu of cocktails.

Bespoke Wedding Bar Hire Packages

Want a completely personalized wedding bar that beautifully complements your venue decor and theme? Opt for a bespoke bar package and choose everything from the style of your personalized menu and which cocktails are served, to the color of your cocktail napkins, the style of your champagne glasses and more.

2. Hire the Right Bar Staff

It’s recommended that you hire at least one bartender for every fifty guests. This ensures a high quality of service and prevents drinks orders from backing up. Big weddings with over 100 guests will benefit from the additional hire of a barback or wait staff.

To keep everything clean and tidy so that your bartender can keep the drinks coming.

Are cocktails on your menu? You’ll need the services of a mixologist — a bartender specially trained in mixing cocktails. To really wow your guests, opt for a flair bartender and watch them shake and stir your guests with their impressive cocktail making skills!

3. Personalize Your Bar Decor & Cocktail Menu

Personalize the look of your wedding bar so that it blends beautifully with your venue and decor. Choose the color, style and decorations for your bar front. Fill your bar with tealights, chalkboards, fairy lights, garlands, bunting — whatever floats your boat!

Many mobile bar services, including Cocktails & Bar Events, will offer you the option to personalize your wedding cocktail menu with photos, special wording and your favourite cocktails. You can usually choose from classics like the Pina Colada and Mojito, as well as newer recipes, such as a delicious Bourbini.

For further advice on how to hire a bar for a wedding, give our friendly and knowledgeable bartenders a call. We’re always happy to provide potential clients with free, no-obligation advice on planning bar services for their special occasions.

Call us now on 07784482444 or email info@cocktailsandbarevents.co.uk