The wedding bar is one of the most frequented spots at any reception, so why not make it an area to remember?
The wedding bar is one of the most frequented spots at any reception, so why not make it an area to remember?
The bar is arguably one of the most frequented spots at any wedding reception. Once you’ve said your “I do’s” and made your toasts, this is where guests will gather again and again throughout the evening—so why not make it memorable?
Before you let your imagination run wild with creative bar ideas, be sure to nail down the space limits you’ll be working with at your venue. While wedding bars are a fun opportunity to get creative, remember that your wedding bar setup also has to be accessible and work logistically with the rest of your reception space. Work with your coordinator or venue manager to nail down your space limits.
With that being said, take a look at some of our favorite wedding bar ideas below, or jump straight to our printable cocktail cards!
1. Go Mobile
One of our favorite outdoor wedding bar ideas? A mobile bar. If you’re hosting an outdoor reception, bars on wheels put a creative spin on your outdoor wedding bar—and it makes for great photos!
2. Thrift Your Own Glassware
If you’re using your wedding as a chance to flex your DIY muscles, thrifting your own glassware is a fun way to get creative with your wedding bar and let your personality shine. Not to mention, you’ll save money on glassware rentals!
Drink pairing tip: Along with glassware, thrift your own pitchers and serve up Lauren Lane’s Easy Fall Sangria. Download the festive fall cocktail recipe card below!
3. Adorn the Bar With Greenery
Coming up with decor ideas doesn’t have to be complicated—incorporating lush greenery is one of the easiest ways to elevate your setup.
4. Add Creative Signage
Your wedding welcome sign isn’t the only place to utilize signage. If you’re wondering how to bring your wedding bar design together, small details like creative signage go a long way.
5. Get Personal With Signature Cocktails
Signature cocktails are a classic wedding trend that we still aren’t tired of. They’re a fun way for you and your soon-to-be spouse to add some personal flair to your bar!
Drink pairing tip: Hosting a winter wedding? Put a seasonal twist on your signature cocktail with this Gingerbread Cocktail from Red Cottage Chronicles. Download the festive winter cocktail recipe card below!
6. Level Up With a Ladder
If you’re looking for ways to save on your wedding, use a ladder adorned with greenery as a DIY wedding bar option—perfect for rustic or nature-inspired wedding themes.
7. Rent a Vintage-Inspired Bar Cart
A vintage-inspired bar cart adds plenty of character and charm to your garden or boho wedding theme. With countless styles to choose from, they’re great for adding an enchanting touch to your wedding bar.
8. Make It Portable
Switch up the classic bar setup with a portable mini bar. The smaller size of portable bars means you can place them anywhere you please—one at the entrance as guests arrive and one near the dance floor, for example.
9. Display a Pretty Bar Menu
Help guests decide on their beverage of choice by displaying a custom bar menu. It’s an easy way to incorporate your wedding theme into your overall design.
10. Set Up a Shot Display
Creating a life-size shot display is sure to wow your guests—and help loosen them up before hitting the dance floor!
Drink pairing tip: If you’re not into shots, serve up Half Baked Harvest’s White Christmas Mojito instead. Download the festive winter cocktail recipe card below!
11. Make It a Focal Point
The bar is one of the most visited areas of your wedding, so why not make it a focal point in your design? This greenery wall elevates glassware storage into a stunning display guests are sure to appreciate.
12. Incorporate Floral Elements
We love how this bar utilizes potted plants to complement the outdoor wedding theme and add pops of color. This is an easy way to bring any bar setup to life!
13. Create a Tap Beer Station
If you’re serving beer at your wedding, take it to the next level by incorporating a tap beer station. We love the creativity of this rustic pickup truck-turned-beer tap, but you can find beer tap rentals for every type of style.
14. Use Custom Illustrations
The possibilities are endless when it comes to incorporating custom illustrations into your wedding bar. Aside from making it easy for guests to see what’s on the menu, they can be personalized for any wedding style!
15. Have Fun With Garnishes
It’s the smallest details that can really make wedding bar ideas pop—like having fun with your drink garnishes. Along with herbs and even floral garnishes, don’t be afraid to offer some variety—like dried fruit or orange wheels!
Drink pairing tip: Sling Olive Magazine’s Winter-Spiced Pear Cocktail and top it off with star anise for a seasonal garnish. Download the festive winter cocktail recipe card below!
16. Play With Height
Using objects that vary in height is an age-old design practice used to create balance and visual interest. If it works with your venue setup, introducing some height to your wedding bar—like this large “love” sign hanging from above—is a great way to make a statement.
17. Shake Up the Shape
18. Incorporate Nature
A helpful way to determine different wedding design elements is by taking cues from your venue or the season. We love how this bar setup did just that for an outdoor wedding—ditching a standard bar setup for wooden tree tables and stools made for a unique design moment.
Drink pairing tip: Serve this Cranberry Apple Breeze from Being Summer Shores for a nod to the fall season at your outdoor wedding. Download the festive fall cocktail recipe card below!
19. Create a Floral Moment
If you’re scratching your head for wedding bar ideas, look no further than seasonal florals. They’re gorgeous enough to shine on their own and can bring any bar design to life.
20. Illuminate With String Lights
String lights are our favorite way to add a magical glow to any space, and your wedding bar is no exception. Hang them from the ceiling or the wall behind the bar, if there is one!
21. Incorporate Candlelight
Give your wedding bar a warm and welcoming vibe by incorporating candlelight. They’re a no-fail option for creating ambience and will add an enchanting touch to any space.
22. Give Guests Options
Who said your wedding bar is just for serving alcohol? Shake things up with another bar for your favorite beverage, or something seasonal like an apple cider bar in the fall.
Drink pairing tip: Speaking of apple cider, try this Apple Cider Margarita from Being Summer Shores if you want to serve a fall-themed cocktail. Download the festive fall cocktail recipe card below!
23. Use Unexpected Objects
There really are no limits when it comes to wedding decor, so let your imagination run wild! The unassuming corner of this terrace comes to life with unique additions like a hanging chandelier table and a large picture frame serving as the bar backdrop.
24. Include a Monogram
What better way to pay tribute to your new union than with your monogrammed initials? Have them custom-made to align with your wedding style, and be sure they’re large enough to hang from the front of the bar.
25. Go DIY With Rustic Barrels
A slab of wood placed on top of two barrels is proof that wedding bar ideas don’t have to be complicated to make a statement. If you’re in search of rustic wedding ideas, this wedding bar is for you!
26. Use Galvanized Tubs
27. Create a Cozy Corner
Guests will already be congregating around the bar area, so why not give them a place to sit? Your guests will appreciate having a cozy corner to chat and relax during their dance breaks!
28. Display Glass Drink Dispensers
Level up your tea and water station with sleek glass drink dispensers. We think they make the chicest touch for backyard weddings!
29. Add a Favors Display
Of all the wedding bar ideas out there, incorporating a wedding favor display definitely wins in terms of practicality. It’s a great way to add a fun design element to the bar area, and there are plenty of bar-related wedding favor ideasto choose from!
30. Incorporate Your Pets
An alternative to having your pet at your wedding (which, let’s face it, usually isn’t the most practical idea), use your bar area to display their photos and have them there in spirit. You can even name your signature cocktails after your pets!
31. Make It Double as Your Seating Chart
This wedding bar idea is as functional as it is gorgeous. Add custom drink label garnishes to guests’ glasses with their seat number for a pop of personality that also keeps things organized.
Your wedding bar is the perfect opportunity to level up your wedding decor and let your creativity shine. As one of the most-visited spots at any wedding reception, it’s worth the extra effort to make it stand out!
Once you’ve nailed down your design vision, you can move on to more nitty-gritty logistics like hiring your bar vendor.
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