photo by Alexandria Monette Photography
Let’s be honest, your wedding reception bar will be one of the most popular elements of your wedding — for you and for your guests! So, you want to be sure it’s properly stocked and staffed. As a general rule, you should plan to allocate about 10-20% of your overall wedding budget for your reception bar. That includes all the alcohol, mixers, garnishes, tools, fees, tips, and so on. Because your wedding reception bar will take up such a large chunk of your budget, you’ll want to thoroughly research and price out your options before committing to one. If you decide to fully or partially stock your own wedding reception bar, this ultimate guide will walk you through everything from deciding your bar style to determining how much alcohol to buy. photo by Heirlume Photography
Professional Bar vs DIY Bar
There are usually a few different options to consider for your wedding reception bar, all of which will depend on your venue’s rules and requirements. If you’re looking for the most low-maintenance option, a professional bar that’s stocked and staffed by either the venue or a third-party full bar service 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.
For the DIY bunch, stocking a bar yourselves is the best alternative! You’l...