For many guests, the food and drink you serve at your wedding will be one of the highlights. Sinking their teeth into hors d’oeuvres while sipping your favourite tipple – what better way to celebrate the union between two well-loved individuals? As more and more of us try to think of personalised and unique ways to mark our special day, features such as self-service bars are rising in popularity. And for those couples looking to reduce waiting staff costs while still providing their guests with the goods, this option is ideal.
What Is a Self-Serve Bar?
Traditionally, an event bar will be staffed by bartenders and waiting staff. Guests approach the bar, place their orders and wait for them to be rustled up. And, there is beauty in this service. It feels luxurious. It feels like a real treat. But, for some, it may feel just that bit too formal. Self-serve bars are set up to allow guests to easily refill and choose their drinks themselves. They may be set up with multiple bottles of spirits and mixers. Or perhaps you’ll have dispensers fixed to a temporary wall which allows for equal measured shots to be extracted.
Is it the Right Choice for You?
All wedding choices should feel personalised to you and your loved ones. So, if you’d rather not serve alcohol or provide pre-mixed cocktails, then 100% do so. However, if you’re drawn to the idea of a self-service bar, they work perfectly for smaller and intimate weddings. With micro-weddings soaring in popularity, it makes sense to cut back on unnecessary costs and create a spot where guests can mingle. Self-service bars can also help you to:
- Better Control Costs – By investing in a set quantity of alcohol, you’re able to budget more effectively. You also won’t be charged with hitting a venue’s ‘minimum drink quantity’.
- Manage Your Guests’ Behaviour – If friends and family tend to overdrink and act out, a self-service bar also helps you to restrict consumption.
- Personalise Your Event – Self-service bars can be DIY-ed or ordered from wedding rental companies. We have seen many different designs and styles out there so you’re sure to find one that fits in with your wedding theme easily. You can hire wedding furniture to compliment your self-serve bar and create a real focal piece.
- Be Versatile With Your Location – With a portable and temporary bar, you don’t need to restrict yourself to sites that already have a licensed bar available. This is why they’re such a popular option for marquee weddings too – you can set one up inside or outside to suit your needs.
Your special day should be unique to you. And self-service bars provide an additional feature that encourages guests to interact throughout the day. Set up alongside a marquee, they allow you to embrace that whimsical, woodland or alternative theme you’ve worked so hard to create. So, why not consider one for your big day?