Trending Now: Drink Stations to Elevate Your Reception

By Gabriella Rello
August 29, 2017
Erich McVey

If you really want to serve signature cocktails your guests won't soon forget, consider surprising friends and family with a specialty bar.

Start Slideshow

1 of 17

Erich McVey

There are a lot of cool, unique ways to decorate the bars at your cocktail hour and reception, but it's time to start thinking beyond décor. If you want to serve signature drinks your guests won't soon forget, consider surprising friends and family with a specialty bar. In addition to serving a selection of beer, wine, and cocktails at a standard bar, designate a station where guests can order one or two special drinks of your choosing.

If you're wondering how this will differ from your signature cocktail, the short answer is that it doesn't have to. You can plan a bar that's devoted entirely to your personalized drink, or you can create a station where guests can go specifically to grab beer, wine, or another spirit. Big-batch cocktails are an especially popular option for a specialty bar, as your bartender or caterer can pre-mix many servings of the drink and have it available for guests all evening long. Options like sangria, alcoholic punch, or margaritas are the perfect choices for this display since they're easy to make ahead and taste even better with time. 

Aside from looking cool and giving guests a new libation experience, a specialty bar is actually incredibly functional. By serving your signature cocktail at its own bar, especially if it's a drink that can be time-consuming to make, you'll cut down the wait time at the main bars. Similarly, by setting out serve yourself beer or wine stations, anyone who doesn't require the help of a bartender can get another drink with ease. The most important thing to remember is that you'll always want these stations staffed. Even if guests will simply be grabbing a drink, you'll want someone there to answer questions, refresh the display, and ensure no one is being overserved. 

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 17

Tonic Bar

Lisa Ziesing for Abby Jiu Photography

Guests at this wedding were treated to a tonic bar, which allowed them the choice of either ordering their favorite drink made using the fizzy water or choosing from the bride and groom's favorites. For the build your own portion, the couple selected a mix of different tonics, alcohols, and garnishes for a truly personalized experience.

3 of 17

Champagne Cocktail Bar

Brklyn View Photography
58 Genius Fall Wedding Ideas

Champagne-based cocktails were mixed up on the lawn of this wedding so guests could skip the long line at the bar and grab a signature sip instead. The festive display, perfect for a fall wedding, surely enticed thirtsy party-goers.

Advertisement

4 of 17

Wine Truck

Greg Finck
Mobile Bars That Can Roll Right Up to Your Party

Serving your favorite wine just got a whole lot cooler. Sure, you can set up a bar devoted just to the varietals you love, but why not hire a truck to pour glasses for guests instead?

5 of 17

Scotch Bar

Mike Cassimatis

Surprise your groom with his very own Scotch bar, featuring his favorite bottles. It's the perfect occasion to break out the good stuff, especially because the guys will be flocking here all evening long.

6 of 17

Signature Cocktail Bar

Bamber Photography

If you love your signature cocktail, then make it the star of the party. This couple used a reclaimed cart as a spot where guests could watch the bartender mix up the strawberry and Campari cocktail. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 17

Airstream Bar

Annamarie Akins Photography
5 Tips for Having a Food Truck at Your Wedding

It's not just about what you serve at your specialty bar, but how you serve it. Bartenders stationed in this adorable airstream trailer mixed up pomegranate whiskey sours, bourbon-thyme smashes, and pear gimlets, but our guess is that guests really came to check out the cool digs.

8 of 17

DIY Bar

White Loft Studio

What's more fun than a DIY pre-ceremony cocktail? This rustic station was stocked with all the necessities for sangria, mimosas, and bellinis. 

9 of 17

Beer Bar

Michelle March
The Best Beer-and-Food Pairings for a Fall Wedding

If you and your groom are big craft beer drinkers, consider displaying and serving them in a special way during cocktail hour or the reception. Here, an antique wagon housed chilled beer bottles for guests to grab as they pleased.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 17

Cider Bar

Jenn Kavanagh Photography

Not big on beer, wine, or cocktails? Create a seasonal cider bar, where guests can pour a chilled glass of your favorite hard cider and snack on treats like macarons and caramel apples.

11 of 17

Sangria Bar

Jodi & Kurt Photography

Wine barrels were used as the base of this sangria bar, giving a nod to the main ingredient in the couple's signature drink. To balance out taste preferences, the bride and groom also had Old Fashioneds available. The most important thing to note about this bar is that the cocktails are pre-prepared, meaning guests can pick up a cocktail on their way to the reception without any wait.

12 of 17

Rosé Bar

Rachel Havel Photography
The Perfect Rosé Wines for Every Bride

What's a summer wedding without a chilled glass of rosé? Two types of the pink drink were on offer at this wedding.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 17

Punch Bar

Katie Stoops Photography

This bride's mother dreamed up the couple's vodka-based signature punch, which was mixed and served in a 1910 Limoges punch bowl.

14 of 17

Bourbon and Cigar Bar

Annamarie Akins Photography

Bourbon and cigars were displayed on an antique whiskey barrel for guests to enjoy at this indoor-outdoor wedding reception.

15 of 17

Wine Bar

Julie Paisley Photography

Give your guests the opportunity to refill their own glasses with a bar dedicated to wine. Bottles of wine and pretty glassware were displayed on a table for easy access.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 17

Moonshine Bar

Sara Richardson Photography

Set up a sipping station where your guests can try moonshine—just make sure it's the legal stuff, which is typically a clear, unaged whiskey that's been commercially made.

17 of 17

Champagne Bar

onelove photography

Once the reception started, this antique sewing machine was transformed into a champagne bar. Pretty glass decanters were filled with different juices and chilled bottles of champagne were available for guests to pour into flutes.

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

By Gabriella Rello