The Ultimate Wedding Drinks Guide for 2027 Couples

Everything You Need to Know About Planning the Perfect Wedding Bar

Published: Wednesday 15th July 2026

Your wedding day is one of the biggest celebrations you'll ever host, and while the flowers, photography and entertainment often take centre stage, one thing your guests will remember long after the day is over is the drinks.

From the welcome glass of fizz to the final espresso martini on the dance floor, a thoughtfully planned drinks experience sets the tone for your entire celebration.

Whether you're planning an intimate countryside wedding in Kent, a luxury marquee reception in Surrey, or an elegant venue in London, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about choosing the perfect wedding bar for your big day.

Start With Your Wedding Style

Every wedding is different, and your drinks should reflect your personality as a couple.

Perhaps you're dreaming of elegant champagne towers and handcrafted cocktails. Maybe you love premium gin, fine wines or local craft beers. Or perhaps you're looking for a relaxed festival-style bar serving refreshing spritzes and frozen cocktails.

The best wedding bars don't simply serve drinks—they become part of the overall guest experience.

Your bar should complement your venue, colour palette and atmosphere while giving guests something memorable to enjoy throughout the day.

Should You Have an Open Bar?

One of the biggest decisions couples face is whether to offer an open bar or ask guests to purchase their own drinks.

Open Bar

An open bar allows guests to enjoy drinks without paying throughout the event.

Advantages

• Creates a luxury guest experience

• Keeps everyone together instead of queuing for payment

• Encourages guests to relax and celebrate

• Ideal for premium weddings

Things to Consider

• Requires a larger budget

• Consumption can vary depending on guests

Cash Bar

Guests purchase their own drinks throughout the evening.

Advantages

• Lower overall cost

• Easy to budget

• Popular for larger weddings

Things to Consider

• Some guests may drink less

• Can feel less personal depending on expectations

Pre-Paid Bar Tab

Many couples now choose a middle ground.

For example:

• £1,000 behind the bar

• Complimentary drinks until the tab runs out

• Guests purchase drinks afterwards

This option offers generous hospitality while keeping your budget under control.

How Much Alcohol Do You Need?

One of the questions we're asked most often is:

"How much alcohol should we buy?"

Although every wedding is unique, here's a useful guide.

Day Guests

Expect approximately:

• 5–7 alcoholic drinks per guest across the day and evening

Evening Guests

Typically:

• 3–5 drinks per guest

Of course, this varies depending on:

• Time of year

• Wedding duration

• Guest demographics

• Whether cocktails are being served

• Whether wine is served during the meal

Working with an experienced mobile bar company ensures the right quantities are ordered, reducing waste while ensuring you never run short.

Signature Cocktails Add a Personal Touch

One of the biggest trends for 2027 weddings is personalised cocktails.

Rather than offering a standard menu, couples are creating drinks inspired by their story.

Examples include:

The First DateA refreshing gin and elderflower cocktail.

The HoneymoonA tropical rum-based creation.

His FavouriteAn Old Fashioned with premium bourbon.

Her FavouriteA French Martini.

Guests absolutely love ordering drinks with personal meaning.

It instantly creates conversation while making your wedding feel unique.

Don't Forget the Non-Alcoholic Options

Modern weddings are increasingly inclusive.

Many guests choose not to drink alcohol, whether for lifestyle, pregnancy, religion or simply personal preference.

Premium alcohol-free options are now every bit as exciting as traditional cocktails.

Popular choices include:

• Alcohol-free mojitos

• Elderflower spritz

• Virgin passionfruit martini

• Botanical gin alternatives

• Fresh lemonade stations

• Homemade iced teas

Everyone deserves an exceptional drinks experience.

Popular Wedding Cocktails for 2027

These remain among the most requested cocktails at luxury weddings.

Espresso Martini

Perfect once the evening party begins.

Aperol Spritz

Fresh, light and ideal for summer receptions.

Passionfruit Martini

A timeless favourite.

Margarita

Perfect for lively celebrations.

French 75

Elegant, refreshing and champagne-based.

Negroni

Ideal for guests who appreciate classic cocktails.

Old Fashioned

A sophisticated evening serve.

Hugo Spritz

One of Europe's fastest-growing wedding cocktails.

Gin Bars Continue to Grow in Popularity

Premium gin experiences remain one of the biggest wedding trends across the UK.

Guests love choosing from dozens of premium gins paired with carefully selected garnishes and artisan tonics.

A dedicated gin bar creates a memorable focal point while giving guests something different from a traditional venue bar.

Why Hire a Professional Mobile Bar?

Hiring a professional mobile bar isn't simply about serving drinks.

It provides complete peace of mind.

A quality supplier will typically provide:

• Fully licensed service

• Experienced bartenders

• Premium spirits

• Fresh ingredients

• Professional cocktail equipment

• Glassware

• Refrigeration

• Ice

• Bar styling

• Menu design

• Responsible alcohol management

• Setup and breakdown

This allows you to enjoy your day without worrying about logistics.

Questions to Ask Before Booking

Before securing your wedding bar, ask:

• Is the company fully licensed?

• Is public liability insurance included?

• Can the drinks menu be personalised?

• Are premium spirits available?

• Can signature cocktails be created?

• Is glassware included?

• Is setup and collection included?

• Are professional mixologists provided?

• Can they cater for dietary requirements?

• Do they provide alcohol-free cocktails?

Wedding Drinks Timeline

A simple timeline helps keep drinks flowing naturally throughout the day.

Arrival

Champagne, prosecco or signature cocktail.

After the Ceremony

Cocktails and canapés.

Wedding Breakfast

Wine on the tables.

Speeches

Champagne for the toast.

Evening Reception

Full cocktail bar opens.

Late Evening

Espresso martinis, whisky and premium cocktails.

Why Couples Choose South East Bar Hire

At South East Bar Hire, we believe your wedding bar should be far more than somewhere guests collect drinks.

It should become a talking point.

Our experienced bartenders create unforgettable cocktails, serve premium spirits with genuine passion and deliver a seamless experience from the first drink to the last dance.

Whether you're planning an intimate countryside wedding or a luxury marquee celebration for hundreds of guests, we'll work closely with you to design a drinks experience that's completely tailored to your vision.

From bespoke cocktail menus and elegant gin bars to fully stocked mobile bars and experienced mixologists, every detail is carefully considered to ensure your guests enjoy exceptional service throughout your celebration.

Ready to Plan Your Wedding Bar?

If you're getting married in 2027 and would like to discuss your drinks package, we'd love to hear from you.

Whether you're looking for a luxury cocktail bar, a fully stocked mobile bar, or a bespoke gin experience, South East Bar Hire is here to help create an unforgettable celebration.

Here's to raising a glass to your perfect wedding day.