The bar at any event is one of the most popular areas besides the buffet and the dance floor. Actually, maybe more so! It is important to consider what kind of bar you will have, how you will stock it, and who will be behind it!! Unfortunately, this can be challenging and costly to the inexperienced. And it is only one part of the many things to consider when you are getting married.
Couples want to complete their union surrounded by their loved ones and CELEBRATE in a beautiful setting, with delicious food, wine flowing and the dancing non stop! Yet, the cost of doing so has been a little challenging for many even prior to the pandemic rise in prices. Never mind the countless individuals who in the past year and a half, at best, were temporarily out of work, or had their businesses on pause. The average cost of a wedding in the US back in 2020, according to valuepenguin.com, was $20,300. Louisiana was at $16,842 ($255 per guest).
They break down the most expensive costs for a wedding from most costly to least as follows:
Venue
Catering of Food/Drink
Engagement Ring
Music/Band
Photographer
Flowers/Decorations
All of these elements are VITAL to a fabulous wedding.
The liquor is one of the MOST vital and it can be the SECOND highest cost. The average bar cost according to some sites is $20-$25 per guest for alcohol. This can vary greatly.
No one really wants to serve the cheap liquor at their event. Sure, I’d want Chopin Vera Wang or Absolut Cristal for all my friends too. However, choosing only a few top choice liquors for your bar helps cut down costs. There are many amazing brands that people are not aware of that are even more delicious than more widely recognized brands. There are also many local vintners and brewers that carry excellent and affordable products. Of course, if money is no object, then we can suggest many more FABULOUS bottles too! Having a bar service that understands brand, pricing, and budget is a must.
A per head cost is not always the best way to get an estimate for your bar set up. What liquor will they serve, how much will they bring, do they charge by the bottle or per drink? Do you keep the left over bottles or do they?
Next, what type of set up will be best for your event? Having a fully stocked open bar at a large event requires a lot of bottles. It can also create unnecessary lines at the bar! When a guest orders an Old Fashioned, 2 Margaritas, and 6 Kamikaze Shots for their table, it’s going to take more than a minute. Having TOO many choices is not always a good thing! It is important that your guests do not feel like they are missing out on the fun because they had to stand in line most of the time waiting on a cocktail. I can’t tell you how many people have said to me that they enjoyed a wedding they attended, except for the issue of not being able to get a drink! Creating a few “Featured Cocktails” to put on tap is another way to not only save money, but have faster service! We can customize up to 4 Cocktails (or champagne, wine and beer) to be on tap. This is also a fun way to personalize the cocktails for your event. We have had a great time making up names with our clients for their specialty cocktails!
There IS a way to keep your alcohol costs down and STILL have an AMAZING bar set up and service for your wedding, no matter what venue, entertainment, or engagement ring you decide on! Having been a bar proprietor for several years, I have learned how to find the best costs, the best bartenders, and make the best batched cocktails to ensure a memorable and affordable experience for you and your guests!
Renting a bar from Geaux Mobile Bar Co means that you can have the experience of a One of a Kind Bar with excellent service and amazing drinks for what you could pay for the alcohol alone somewhere else! Let us help you design your bar set up and calculate your alcohol needs. You will be glad you did!
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