The Best Tips for Hosting a Bar

Wherever you are at in your wedding planning journey, I hope someone has expressed the absolute necessity to host some form of an open bar at your wedding. If not, repeat after me, "I need to provide my guests with free drinks." Say it. And say it often. Because when it comes down to it, according to--I don't know, every wedding survey that's ever been conducted-- this is what your guests are really looking forward to (besides seeing you get married). 

We've said it before and we'll say it again. You could have flown in your wedding gown from Paris or ordered flowers that only bloom once every 10 years, but if your guests have to pay for their drinks all night, every other detail of your wedding will be overlooked. This is not to say that you need to host an open bar all night. First of all, if you don't want alcohol served at your wedding, don't let any advice, expert or peer pressure convince you otherwise. This is your wedding and whatever your reasons are for wanting a dry wedding, that is absolutely okay. And on the other hand, if you cannot afford to offer top-shelf beverages to your guests all night, don't allow yourself to be pressured into thinking this is a social obligation. It isn't. What I am saying is that if you ARE going to serve alcohol at your wedding, there should be hosted options for guests.

First, you and your groom and/or parents should determine a bar budget. This will really help you work with your planner or caterer to realize your options for hosting a bar. 

Beer + Wine 

This is probably the easiest way to offer beverages to your guests while managing the bar tab. Offering a selection of beer on tap and both a white and red wine is cost effective and gives your guests a choice. Plus, it (somewhat) helps address the problem of people taking shots and drinking too much liquor. 

Signature Drinks

This is such a trendy idea and we love it! However, signature drinks should be offered only in addition to hosted beer and wine. You can't expect all of your guests to embrace "Pretty in Pink" mojitos just because it's your favorite movie. 

Don't Host for Only Social Hour

This doesn't work for so many reasons. The guests who don't know that the bar is only hosted during social hour are not happy and the guests who do know it are drunk. First, it's an awkward conversation for the bartender to tell your guest that five minutes ago his drink was free and now it's not. For the guests who do know they only have an hour to consume copious amounts of free alcohol, well you can probably imagine the results. It's better to offer a few options throughout the entire night.

You are in Charge of Tipping the Bartender

When a bartender puts a tip jar out during the reception, it implies to your guests that a tip is expected. Going back to the fact that your guests shouldn't have to pay for anything during your wedding, it's actually your responsibility to tip the service staff, not your guests. Many guests will probably tip anyway, but a tip jar indicates that it is expected.

CLOSE THE BAR DURING DINNER

This is an idea I have always loved as a former banquet server. Ask your DJ to announce that the bar will be closed during the entire dinner. This is pretty much the only way to get your guests to be seated for dinner and keep things running smoothly. Nothing is more frustrating to the service staff than guests going up to the bar and getting in their way while they try to quickly serve your dinner. Not to mention, it's difficult to keep people focused on the wedding speeches when guests are milling about and not in their chairs. 

If You Have A LOT of Guests, Have a Second Bar

This benefits both your guests and your service staff. If your guest count is exceptionally large, consider having a portable bar that serves just wine and beer. The portable bar helps to support the main bar which may get behind making your signature drink or cocktails for guests. The portable bar can quickly serve the guests that just want a quick tap or bottle beer or perhaps a glass of wine.