How to plan a simple wedding renewal ceremony

What does your bar need? In it’s simplest form, it needs something for your guests to drink, containers to drink from and something sturdy to stand it all on (or in). The beauty of a Tipi wedding is you’re not limited to a traditional bar with a barman or waiter. Your bar area can be as sophisticated or wacky as you like!

Here’s some novel ideas to kickstart your imagination and help you come up with a great bar area for your event.

All you need is some form of container…

The biggest issue with storing any form of drink is keeping it cool – unless you opt for limiting the alcoholic selection to those that don’t need chilling, such as bottled spirits such as vodka, gin and whiskey.

So, what you need is a container that can easily be filled with ice. You can choose to have a load of large cool boxes behind a display area, if you wish, but the containers you use can also become the centrepiece for your bar area. Think wheelbarrows, old baths or sinks, large metal buckets or even old barrels and crates, filled with ice cubes and beer bottles.

Make use of the practical and rustic

Another great idea is to create a bar area from easily available materials. You could have two ladders with planks of wood between them, giving you an instant set of shelves. What about using an old dressing table as your bar? Another option is to turn a nearby tree into an alcohol station – by hanging ice-filled buckets from its branches? You could even make use of a nearby river or stream, as your bottle storage area!

Water coolers and dispensers

You can easily make use of water coolers and dispensers with taps, by turning them into self-serve stations for both alcoholic or soft drinks. Remember, it’s not just alcohol your guests will want – why not set out a tea and coffee station or a soft drink stand?

Opt for a hired self-contained bar

If you’d rather have a ready-made option, we can provide you with a rustic, wooden bar unit. It comes complete with storage shelves and ample serving space, plus it can be set up inside or outside the Tipi – all you need to do is provide the drinks! Other options include hiring a self-contained bar unit that fits in with your wedding theme, such as a retro caravan or fully stocked converted horsebox, complete with its own bartender!

Don’t stop at liquid refreshments

Mention bars and we tend to immediately think alcohol and liquid, but that isn’t always the case. You can also set up unique food bar areas – such as a popcorn bar, sweets and treats station or a cake display.

No matter what type of bar you have, it’s important to remember it’s the finishing touches that can make it look amazing. Think of personalised backgrounds, drinks menus and fruit-filled ice cubes. The simplest of selections can look great, with the addition of a fresh fruit display, decorations and good use of themes and style.

If you’re not sure how much booze you’ll actually need to provide, this blog will give you an idea