Bar Service Cost Range: $1,000 to $8,000+ PICKING THE PERFECT Signature cocktails are a great way to set your wedding apart from the rest. Offering a unique selection that peo- ple associate with your wedding is a great way to ensure that your big day will be remembered. 1. What season are you getting married? A. Spring B. Summer C. Fall D. Winter 2. What best describes the food you will be serving? A. Comfort food B. Appetizers and finger foods only C. Traditional chicken, fish, beef options D. Brunch 3. What will you be doing on your honeymoon? A. Exploring the city B. Road trip C. Cuddling in the snowy mountains D. Relaxing on the beach 4. What is your go-to on a Friday night? A. Martini B. Shots C. Wine D. Fruity cocktail Signature Drink Moscow Mule 1-4 Points Irish Coffee 13-16 Points Margarita 5-8 Points Cosmo 9-12 Points Genevieve Nisly Photography 50 | TODAY'S BRIDE 8-12 MONTHS UNTIL "I DO" BAR SERVICE ? BAR SERVICE Questions Ask yourself and your vendors these questions before booking: 1. How long should bar service be available? Be sure to arrange for bar service that lasts as long as the reception (the average reception lasts between four and six hours). Customarily, the bar will close during dinner, which will save you money. Alcohol service should end an hour before the end of your reception, but you should make provisions for non-alcoholic beverages to be served until the reception is over. 2. What are my drink options? You can choose to have a full bar or serve wine and beer as a more cost-effective option. If you want liquor but don’t want the cost of a full bar, consider a signature cocktail! If you’re holding a dry wedding, you can have more options than just water, soda, and tea. Try mixing things up with a mocktail! 3. Are we charged by the glass or by the bottle? Glass Bottle Other 4. Do you offer top-shelf liquor ? Yes No 5. If there are any bottles leftover, will we be refunded? Yes No Take the leftovers home 6. Is there a corkage charge? Yes No Fee: 7. How many bartenders will there be? How much for additional bartenders? 8. Do you supply other beverages? Water Coffee Tea Soda Juice Other 9. Is gratuity included in the package? Yes No How much? 10. Is a champagne toast included? Yes, for all guests Yes, bridal party only No 11. Do you close during meal service? Yes No Notes: Corkage is a fee to open wine that you supply SCORING: 1. A=2, B=1, C=3, D=4 2. A=1, B=3, C=4, D=2 3. A=2, B=2, C=4, D=1 4. A=4, B=1, C=2, C=3 There are a lot of variables and unknowns when it comes to bar service. What drink options should be provided? Who will be providing them? Is alcohol allowed at your venue? Will you have a champagne toast for everyone, or just the wedding party?