You’ve planned the perfect wedding; now it’s time to wow your guests. What better way than with a stylish DIY cocktail bar! A DIY cocktail bar is a great way to personalize your wedding and give guests a fun experience they’ll discuss for years. With simple planning, you can craft custom cocktails that capture your unique style as a couple. Roll up your sleeves and channel your inner mixologist.
You’ve got this! In just a few easy steps, you’ll be shaking and stirring your way to cocktails your guests will rave about. A splash of this, a dash of that, and a lot of love – that’s the recipe for a DIY cocktail bar your guests will never forget. Get ready to shake up your wedding and give your guests a treat they won’t stop buzzing about!
Choose Your Signature Cocktails
Choosing signature cocktails is one of the most fun parts of planning your DIY cocktail bar! As a couple, think about the flavours and spirits you both enjoy. You want options that will wow your guests but also reflect your tastes.
Some classic crowd-pleasing options could be:
- A refreshing mojito made of rum, mint, lime and sugar. Your guests will love this tropical treat!
- A cosmopolitan with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice. Fruity and fizzy, this pink drink is always a hit.
- An old-fashioned bourbon cocktail is muddled with bitters, sugar and orange. A sophisticated choice for whiskey fans.
You could also create custom cocktails just for your wedding! Some ideas:
- Your namesake cocktail: Combine flavours from drinks you love and name them after you! For example, the “Jenny” with gin, elderflower and cucumber.
- A “something old, something new” cocktail: Mix a traditional spirit like brandy with a trendy flavour like lychee.
- A cocktail in your wedding colours: Cranberry juice, blue curaçao and citrus for a red and blue drink, or melon and mint for green.
With a signature cocktail, your guests are sure to feel special. Have the ingredients and recipes on display at your bar so people can see what’s in the drinks. Most of all, choose options that you genuinely like! Your enthusiasm will shine through and encourage your guests to enthusiastically imbibe. Cheers to that!
Source Your Ingredients
Mixing up creative cocktails is one of the most fun parts of planning your wedding! You’ll want to source the freshest, highest-quality ingredients to wow your guests. After all, cocktails are all about elevating flavours.
Start with a variety of spirits – think vodka, gin, rum, tequila and whiskey. You’ll also want tonic water, club soda and ginger ale mixers. Remember bitters, citrus juices and simple syrup to balance flavours.
Now for the fun additions! Fresh or frozen berries like raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. Mint and basil leaves. Exotic fruits such as dragonfruit, rambutan or mangosteen. Spices such as cinnamon sticks, star anise, nutmeg and cloves.
You’ll also want garnishes to make your cocktails Instagram-worthy. Think lime wheels, lemon twists, cucumber slices, candied ginger, fresh berries or chilli peppers.
With an array of spirits, mixers, fruits, herbs and garnishes, your guests will be thrilled to experiment with different flavour combinations. Set up stations for each ingredient and provide recipe cards for inspiration. But encourage everyone to get creative – crafting a signature cocktail should be a fun, memorable experience for your big day!
Your DIY cocktail bar will be a huge hit and have your guests raving about how personalized and special your wedding was. Cheers to that!
Set Up Your Bar Space
Pick Your Spot
Select an area in your venue with lots of open space that’s easily accessible for your guests. An empty corner of the main event area or an adjacent room is ideal. Make sure there are power outlets nearby for your bartender and any equipment. You’ll want it to be a focal point of the party, so choose a spot where the bar will be visible and inviting!
Gather Your Gear
You’ll need a table for mixing drinks and serving guests. Go for a 6- to 8-foot table that provides enough workspace without too much space. You’ll also want a cute bar cart or table for garnishes, spirits and tools. Remember essential equipment like a blender, muddler, jigger, cocktail shaker, strainer, citrus juicer and cutting board.
Stock the Bar
Fill your bar with a variety of liquors, mixers and garnishes so guests can craft their favourite cocktails. Provide vodka, rum, tequila, gin and whiskey along with sweet and sour mix, cola, tonic, ginger ale and fruit juices. Offer lemons, limes, oranges, cherries and mint for garnishes. Include a recipe guide to inspire your guests! For a real wow factor, include unique and decorative bottles of alcohol along with coloured spirits like blue curaçao.
Your DIY cocktail bar will be a huge hit with your fun-loving guests. With tasty drinks, inviting space and all the necessary tools and ingredients, you’ll have everyone mingling and toasting to the happy couple in no time. Remember to ask friends to play bartender – they’ll be the life of the party! By putting in extra effort to make your bar special, you’re sure to wow your wedding guests and give them an experience they will remember.
Hire Talented Bartenders
A dedicated bar team is key to wowing your guests! Bartenders aren’t just there to make drinks—they keep the party going and make sure everyone has an unforgettable night.
Look for bartenders with experience specifically in weddings or events. They’ll know how to handle large crowds and keep up with complicated drink orders without the sweat. Chat with candidates to get a feel for their style and see if they mesh with your wedding vibe. Once you find some talented bartenders, book them at least 3-6 months before your big day.
Provide your bartenders with a list of your must-have cocktails in advance so they can prepare and practice the recipes. Also, give them a general sense of what else you’d like available, from beers on tap to a selection of wines and spirits. The pros can then determine appropriate amounts to have on hand for your guest count.
Most couples hire 2-4 bartenders for a cocktail-style wedding. More bartenders mean shorter wait times for drinks and less chance of the bar getting overwhelmed. For 50-150 guests, 2-3 bartenders are typically perfect. For larger weddings of 200+, go with 3-4 bartenders to keep things running smoothly.
Let your guests know there’s an open bar to get the party started! Mention the cocktail options on your wedding website, in the invitation suite, or spread the word through your wedding hashtag. Open bars always lead to guests mingling, laughing and creating memories together.
Keep the good times flowing by giving your bartenders breaks to rest, hydrate and grab a quick snack. Well-fed, recharged bartenders will be energetic, fast and focused all night. Thank them at the end of the event for contributing to an unforgettable cocktail experience for you and your guests!
Your DIY cocktail bar will be a huge hit with the help of skilled, personable bartenders. Finding the right team is worth the investment to pull off an interactive social bar that wows your guests. Cheers to an incredible, one-of-a-kind celebration!
Cocktail Bar Must-Haves: Equipment and Decor
Glassware
You’ll want an assortment of glasses for your guests to sip their cocktails from. Stock up on Collins glasses for fruity drinks, coupe glasses for martinis, and highball glasses for longer cocktails. Remember a few pitchers for larger batches and a shaker or two for mixing. Consider etching or stencilling numbers or your new shared last name and wedding date on some glasses as a personalized touch your guests will love.
Mixers & Garnishes
Every cocktail is complete with mixers and garnishes. Have an array of sodas, juices, syrups and bitters on hand. Slice up some lemons, limes, oranges and cucumber to garnish and add flavour. Olives, maraschino cherries, mint leaves and berries also make great garnishes. Display them attractively in bowls and trays along your bar for guests to choose from.
Tools & Equipment
You’ll need some basic tools and equipment for crafting cocktails. Invest in a cocktail shaker, muddler, strainer, measuring tools, peeler and knife. A blender or food processor can also come in handy for frozen drinks. Remember bottle openers, corkscrews and ice! Lots of ice.
Decor
Make your DIY cocktail bar Instagram-worthy with some simple decor. Drape a tablecloth or runner over your bar, and add flowers, string lights or candles for ambience. Use chalkboard or mirror panels to write out your signature cocktails and prices. Place cocktail-themed props like citrus wedges, herbs or olives around the bar for an authentic touch.
With the right glassware, garnishes, tools, and decor, you’ll have everything you need to craft a gorgeous DIY cocktail bar your guests will remember. Cheers to the happy couple!
Conclusion
You’ve got everything you need to create a stunning DIY cocktail bar at your wedding that will wow your guests and have them raving about it for years. With some creativity and helpful tips in this guide, you’ll be mixing up delicious craft cocktails in no time. Your guests are in for an unforgettable treat. A DIY cocktail bar is also great for you and your new spouse to show off your fun and adventurous sides. Most of all, enjoy this moment with friends and loved ones who are there to celebrate the start of your new adventure together. Cheers to the happy couple and to a kickass cocktail bar! Now get mixing and make some magic.
Add a touch of fun and creativity to your dream wedding reception with our great DIY cocktail bar service. Let 50Gram Wedding curate a memorable and interactive experience for your guests. Contact us now and let’s raise a toast to a fabulous celebration!
FAQ
When choosing signature cocktails, consider flavours and spirits that both you and your partner enjoy. Think about options that will wow your guests while reflecting your personal tastes. You can choose classic crowd-pleasing options like mojitos, cosmopolitans, or old-fashioned cocktails, or create custom cocktails for your wedding.
To create impressive cocktails, source the freshest and highest-quality ingredients possible. Start with a variety of spirits such as vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey. Also, stock up on tonic water, club soda, and ginger ale mixers. Remember bitters, citrus juices, and simple syrup to balance the flavours. Additionally, consider adding fresh or frozen fruits, herbs, spices, and garnishes to elevate the cocktail experience.
Choose a spacious and easily accessible area in your venue to set up your DIY cocktail bar. Make sure there are power outlets nearby for the bartender and any equipment. You’ll need a table for mixing drinks and serving guests and a separate bar cart or table for displaying spirits, garnishes, and tools. Organize your bar with a variety of liquors, mixers, and garnishes, and provide recipe guides or display the cocktail ingredients for guests to see.
Hiring talented bartenders is highly recommended to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for your guests. Look for bartenders with experience in weddings or events, as they can handle large crowds and complex drink orders. Book your bartenders several months in advance and provide them with a list of your desired cocktails. Consider the number of bartenders based on your guest count to minimize wait times and ensure the bar runs efficiently.
Equip your DIY cocktail bar with a variety of glassware suitable for different types of cocktails. You’ll also need mixers, garnishes, and essential tools such as a cocktail shaker, muddler, strainer, and measuring tools. To enhance the bar’s aesthetics, decorate it with tablecloths, flowers, string lights, and candles. Display the cocktail names, ingredients, and prices using chalkboards or mirror panels, and add decorative props related to cocktails.
