Elevate Your Wedding Bar Without Breaking the Bank
Gone are the days of basic bars, and that includes your wedding day. Craft cocktails are here to stay and their creativity is both delightful and delicious... but the price tag? Not so much. But just because you're on a budget doesn't mean these bold bevvies need to be ignored. Main Course Catering knows all the tips and tricks to elevate your wedding day bar without spending a fortune - and still create some pretty tasty beverages along the way.
#1: Make It Personal
Everyone has different tastes when it comes to alcohol, but remember, at your wedding, it’s all about you. Forget what Uncle Johnny likes to drink in his den at home and focus on what you enjoy most.
Signature cocktails can be a great way to cut the costs of your bar by eliminating a full bar and focusing in on a couple’s favorite drinks - and bring attention back to your big day. Focus on seasonal fruits and high quality spirits and mixers for these drinks to ensure the highest quality and best outcome and top off your favorite cocktail with a beautiful but simple garnish to elevate the drinks even more.
#2: Keep It Close To Home
Local spirits are growing in popularity as artisans have perfected the craft of brewing, fermenting, and distilling all around the country. As they grow, so does the demand for a good value. Choosing your bar options based on where you are tying the knot can make a lasting impression and give your wedding bar a unique twist. Here are some of our best regional recommendations: hard cider in the Northeast, wine in the West, moonshine in the Southeast, and craft beer in the Midwest.
#3: Make It Float!
Cocktails have evolved over the decades into a modern work of art, from layered drinks to intricate designs dropped into egg white foam. Creating beautiful works of art at your wedding bar can be difficult due to the high levels of demand and the rush to try to get everyone a drink quickly, but including simple garnishes, liquid floats, or even drops of aromatic oils can bring a cocktail to life.
#4: Age It To Perfection
The ultimate DIY concoction for your big day could be a perfectly balanced, barrel aged cocktail. Choose a recipe that you love, find the right sized oak barrel, and let time do the rest. This is a great way to show off your incredible mixology skills for your wedding and impress your guests with a bar centerpiece they will not forget. Be sure to have your ingredients ready to go and don’t forget about the mixers!
#5: Chef It Up!
Culinary Cocktails are the next hot trend in the bar scene. When choosing a cocktail list for your big day, consider what products are in season and can be utilized in your cocktails. Fresh herbs can add a bright twist to most drinks and fresh made shrubs and syrups can liven up classic cocktails and make them unique. When fresh rosemary is abundant in the summer, we love to use it in cocktails on a hot day!
#6: Go Light On The Hard Stuff
Thoughtfully created “Mocktails” and low ABV cocktails are a great alternative to a traditional full bar, it's a creative way to save money on alcohol and lower alcohol beverages are easier to pair with food. For those who don’t drink, non-alcoholic beverages such as fruit spritzers and infused juices can make a lasting impression and act as a great welcoming sipper.
