The bar doesn’t have to be limited to alcoholic beverages on your wedding day. Whether you’re having a booze-free wedding, want to be inclusive of those underage, or just want another fun option for guests, there are many creative alternative wedding bar ideas to choose from!
Keep scrolling for six fun and inspiring non-alcoholic bar ideas, plus a recommended food or dessert bar to pair with it!
Coffee Bar
There are endless ways to customize a coffee bar. Depending on the season and location of your wedding, you can serve the coffee hot or iced or have both as an option. Provide recipe cards or let guests get creative by having an array of different syrups and toppings that they can mix and match to create their own flavored coffee beverage. Having cream along with a plant-based alternative (I recommend oat milk), will ensure that all guests are taken care of and satisfied.
If you’re a coffee enthusiast and having a micro wedding, a pour-over bar would be a great addition! Not only will your guests get a stellar cup of coffee, but it will also be a memorable experience.
Recommended pairing: Gourmet chocolate or croissant bar.
Iced Tea Lemonade Bar
For spring or summer weddings, an iced tea lemonade bar is guaranteed to be refreshing. You can offer different flavor options, like peach, strawberry, lavender, raspberry, or honey. Shake things up by offering various teas, like a black, green, and herbal tea. Lastly, add fresh mint, rosemary, or fresh fruit for an optional garnish.
Recommended pairing: Bruchetta bar (Try watermelon or peach).
Hot Cocoa Bar
A hot cocoa bar is perfect for bringing cozy vibes to your fall or winter wedding! Plus you can choose the topping or flavor options based on the season of the event. (Pumpkin hot chocolate topped with whip cream and cinnamon, anyone?)
Usually, a hot cocoa bar is all about the toppings, but why not surprise your guests with a few different types of hot chocolate instead? Options include, but are not limited to, rich French hot chocolate, spicy Mexican hot chocolate, dark hot chocolate with peppermint, white hot chocolate with almond, or classic hot chocolate (with marshmallows of course).
Recommended pairing: Cookie bar
Italian Soda Bar
For a simple, yet unique option, have an Italian soda bar. Italian soda consists of three to four simple ingredients; sparkling/carbonated water, flavored syrups, ice, and cream (optional). Have a few classic flavor options, like chocolate, raspberry, or vanilla, or offer unique flavors like rose, lavender, dragon fruit, or blackberry.
Recommended pairing: Pizza bar
Classic Mocktail Bar
A classic mocktail bar is sure to be a success no matter the season, location, or theme of your wedding. It’s also perfect for giving your guests a classic bar experience if you’re omitting alcohol for your celebration. Stick with classic mocktail recipes, or shake things up and make a creation of your own.
Recommended pairing: Individual/mini cheese boards
Bubble Tea Bar
Last but not least, the bubble tea bar. Bubble tea is thought to have originated in Taiwan sometime in the 80s and continues to grow in popularity around the world. Between the options for both toppings and tea, this bar is highly customizable. To please a crowd, choose a classic option (milk tea), a non-milk option (jasmine green tea or earl grey), and a caffeine-free option (herbal tea or brown sugar milk). Popular toppings include classic or brown sugar tapioca pearls, fruit-flavored popping boba, or fruit jellies.
Recommended pairing: Sushi hand rolls (temaki) or a sweet Asian inspired snack bar including hello panda, pocky, green tea kit kats, or other favorites
There’s no one way to execute any of these ideas, so make it personal to you and most importantly, have fun with it!
Happy sipping (and snacking)!
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