What makes a good wedding bar?
A bar is an essential element of any wedding day; your guests will want to raise a glass or two and you will want to commemorate the day with your favourite celebratory drinks. What defines a great wedding bar is going to vary from couple to couple and will depend on a huge variety of different elements – from the season to your preference of champagne or beer. However, some factors are crucial no matter those differences. Our must have list includes 1) a charismatic and charming bar tender or bar team, 2) a great ambience, 3) a good quality, carefully selected (often locally sourced) drinks menu, 4) scrupulously clean glasses and 5) plenty of ice!
Here at Pentillie, we look to create the most unique and memorable experience for every couple. We endeavour to promote the very best of our local produce, personalise our offerings where possible and still have something to suit every wedding guest. These are some of our wedding bar tips and FAQ’s (there’s even an easy cocktail recipe to follow)…
Is it a good idea to supply our own alcohol?
It depends where you are getting married. If you are celebrating in a marquee at home, then you may have to – although there are an incredible array of mobile bars available to hire across Cornwall and Devon which can help you out here. When supplying your own alcohol, you can choose exactly which drinks you want to serve and how much of them, but you will also need to think about hiring glassware, bar equipment, ice, refrigeration, staff, washing up and rubbish.
If you are getting married at a venue, then there’s every chance that they will have their own bar to stock and staff on your behalf. They may also supply reception drinks and table wine, and may or may not charge corkage (see below). A venue tends to have handpicked wine and bar lists, chosen for the quality and value for money across a wide range of tastes. They will most likely have a relationship with a wholesaler, who may be able to supply your favourite drinks if they do not already feature on their list, and a venues’ quote will include glassware, refrigeration, staff to serve and wash up afterwards, rubbish disposal and licensing.
What is corkage?
Venues often charge a corkage fee to couples who supply their own alcoholic drinks to consume during their wedding day. It is quite simply a service charge to cover the costs of chilling, opening, and serving these bottles, and of course the boring bits like cleaning the glasses, disposing of the rubbish afterwards and getting a license too.
Should we cater for every taste?
It is important to consider what your guests drink, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t keep your drink offering simple, and nor does it mean that you need to cater for every guest’s personal taste. Perhaps if your Dad only drinks a particular lager, then it would be appropriate to get some of this for him, but not every guest needs to be catered for in this way.
Reception drinks can be where you allow your personalities to shine…a simple, yet elegant chilled coupe of champagne might be just the thing on a scalding day, where a glass of mulled cider or boozy hot chocolate might work better at a winter wedding. If one of you loves an ice-cold lager, while the other favours a long cocktail, then now’s your chance to offer exactly those options, with a soft option for anyone who’s driving. For the rest of the day, choose wines to match your menu, (your venue’s bar manager or sommelier will be able to help you with this) and always offer plenty of water to keep your guests hydrated.
Most bars will offer a wide selection of drinks, and bar managers are often happy to add a couple of favourite spirits, or a particular beer that you know your guests prefer. However, it’s also a great opportunity for your guests to try new things, particularly if they are all travelling to a different area to celebrate with you. Cornwall, for example, has a plethora of exciting Cornish made spirits, including gin, rum and vodka, as well as Cornish beers, ciders, and wines –still and sparkling – that are worth trying. Many are award winners, nationally and internationally.
How much alcohol do we need to supply?
There are a few ‘rules of thumb’ which can really help when stocking up for a wedding…
Reception drinks: You should allow for one drink per person, per half an hour of reception time. As a reception will generally last for 1 and a half hours - 2 hours, you need to think about offering 3-4 drinks per person. You can also consider having a bar open during this time, enabling guests to choose something that suits their own tastes if they aren’t champagne drinkers. Something for the non-drinkers is always appreciated.
Wedding breakfast: You should allow half a bottle of wine per person. This is generally sufficient to consider the big drinkers, the tee-totallers, the drivers and the children. Having a few extra bottles up your sleeves never hurts, and can always be saved for anniversaries if you do over order. Most wine merchants will allow you to order on a sale or return basis, so excess can be returned to them (provided all the bottles are still in a sellable condition - sealed, and labels haven’t come off from being plonked in an ice-bath all day!).
Water (both sparkling and still) is placed on all our wedding tables and is free-flowing here at Pentillie. It is important to keep your guests hydrated, especially during the summer months. You will need to think about ordering bottles or hiring jugs if you are at home in a marquee.
Evening reception: If additional guests are arriving to celebrate with you after your wedding breakfast, it is customary (and polite) to offer them a complimentary drink on arrival. This could be the same as the daytime reception drinks, or something a little harder. Either way, you only need to provide one drink per additional evening guest.
The bar: If you are hiring a bar or using a venues bar, then you won’t need to worry about stocking this. As mentioned previously, chat to the Bar Manager about stocking anything special. If you are requesting a large number of specific drinks that are not normally sold at a venue, then you might be expected to pay for these and take any opened bottles home with you.
If you are stocking your own bar, you won’t want to run out! Make sure you have a sale or return arrangement in place, and the time and capacity to get it back to the store in a timely fashion.
Should we put money behind the bar?
It is always nice to be able to treat your loved ones to a few drinks, and some guests would say it is a great bonus, but a free wedding bar (or limited drinks tab) is not expected, and can lead to a very ‘messy’, albeit ‘fun’ night. While a ‘free’ bar might be your preferred option, it pays to staff it and not just offer a free for all on a table. You need to have someone to keep your venue tidy, keep on top of the washing up, to monitor stocks, top up the ice buckets, and arguably, keep a ‘sober’ eye on you and your guests.
If you are considering offering a free bar to your guests in a venue, then we would suggest setting aside between £15 and £20 per head - all dependant on your guest list (perhaps some are pregnant, attending with young children or an older audience).
What about licenses, do we need one?
To serve alcohol, a venue has to have a license – a premises license - and this determines the times of day within which they can legally serve alcohol. This is governed by the local council and involves the venue having personal license holders, health and safety policies, risk assessments, etc.
Your venue should have one, although if it only hosts a few weddings each year, it may choose to operate under a Temporary Events Notice (TEN). These govern what time the drinking (and music) must stop! This really varies from venue to venue; many close at ‘Cinderella midnight’ whilst others might not close their bar until 2am. Dependant on how early your ceremony starts (not to mention the early hair and make-up wakeup call), most couples find midnight the perfect time to close the day.
If your wedding is on an unlicensed premises e.g. in a field or village hall, you will need to apply for a TEN. This is where you can request a particular timeframe – even 4am for those wanting to party all night! Most venues have some flexibility to extend their license a few times a year, however, ask early as the extension is not always guaranteed and you should expect an additional charge.
Are cocktails a good idea?
We think so, doesn’t everyone love a cocktail?! They are a luxury that can make your day even more special, and you can play around with them to make your own, which can be a fun talking point amongst guests. You may choose to serve a cocktail as your reception drink or to offer a cocktail hour to get the evening celebrations off to a rocking start!
Practical top tip – make sure your chosen cocktail is serviceable. Preparing special drinks with multiple ingredients, twists and shakes takes time, so if you have larger guest numbers, this needs to be considered to avoid queues. Discuss this with your bar manager to ensure your expectations and the practicalities of creating delicious cocktails are achievable. Smooth bar service will be key!
And the boring bit…
Always DRINK RESPONSIBLY, and ensure that your guests can do so too. Make sure you offer plenty of water, that you have some late-night snacks available, and that your guests are prompted to book taxis early – like a week before the wedding early – not at 11.30pm early! Many rural venues are simply not well served by taxis, especially not at 11.30pm on a Saturday night, but they will provide you with a list of local firms that you can include with your wedding invitations. If many of your guests are staying in one town or village near a venue, it might be worth considering hiring a local bus company to collect everyone at the same time.
Facts about the Pentillie Bar
When is the bar open? The bar can be open as early as you would like it to be after your wedding ceremony has taken place. If you have a limited selection of reception drinks, it is always beneficial to open the bar early for a more extended choice. Last orders are called at 11.45pm, before closing at midnight.
Can we bring our own alcohol to Pentillie? While we offer a varied drinks package and wholesale wine menu, couples are allowed to supply their own reception drinks and table wine subject to corkage charges of £15.00 per 75cl sparkling wine and £12.00 per 75cl still wine. All remaining table wines will be stored away for you at the end of the wedding breakfast, and the bar opened.
Is there a minimum spend on the bar? Yes, our bar is included for all Pentillie weddings, including those in a marquee or tipi on the lawn. We are fully licensed, fully stocked, can feature any of your favourite drinks, and our professional team are on hand with their friendly service. There is a minimum bar spend of £500 or £15 per person, whichever is the greater. Some couples choose to cover this cost to get the party started on the bar… (we can easily restrict this to certain drinks, e.g. no double measures or shots).
Who do we talk to about wines and what to serve on the bar? Chat to our Weddings Manager in the first instance, and once menus are chosen and you have an idea of your budget for the bar, then is the time to talk to our Bar Manager. Stephen has 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and LOVES to talk bars, wine and food. He will guide you through all that you need to know, and help you decide what to serve. He can also arrange tasting sessions for your wines and cocktails if ordering from us.
Do you serve cocktails on our Pentillie Bar… Yes, of course! We offer a short cocktail menu at every wedding, featuring some of our favourites: the Bramble, Rum Old fashioned, Gin Cooler, Cornish Spritz (our Cornish take on an Aperol Spritz) and the Pentillie English Garden, which can be a mocktail for non-drinkers - you can try it at home using the recipe below! Our House Manager, Stephen, has a wealth of experience and is more than happy to create a bespoke cocktail for your wedding day. We have previously had a couple who created and named a cocktail after their dog and another who combined their names to create the ‘Bryan Cocktail’.
‘Pentillie English Garden’ Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
5 mint leaves, bruised
2tsp elderflower cordial (more or less, depending on how sweet you like it)
2tsp lemon juice
Large handful of ice
Pentillie Apple Juice or Cloudy Apple Juice
1 long strip of cucumber peeled using a vegetable peeler, for garnish
Method
Mix the mint leaves, gin, elderflower cordial and lemon juice together in the bottom of a tall/highball glass, using a long-handled spoon.
Add the ice, then top up with apple juice and stir well.
Finish with the cucumber garnish, serve with a straw and enjoy.
Can we organise our wedding at Pentillie? Yes, we host bespoke weddings of all sizes. We would love to hear all about your plans and discuss how you can celebrate your dream day at Pentillie. Please do get in touch or book a private viewing!