Guide · Wedding Open Bar
How much does a wedding open bar cost?
No hidden price list: here is what really shapes the cost, explained clearly.
The cost of a wedding open bar depends on a few clear factors: the number of guests, the duration of the service, the chosen format (reception drinks, open bar or both), the staff required and any customisation. There is no single price because every wedding is different: that is why Just Drink always works on a tailored quote, sent within a few hours, all inclusive and with no surprises. Below is what affects the price and how a proposal is built.
What a wedding open bar cost depends on.
| Factor | How it affects the price |
|---|---|
| Number of guests | Drives the staff, the volume of ingredients and the size of the counter. |
| Duration | A 1.5 hour reception is different from a 2.5 hour open bar or a full evening of around 4 hours. |
| Format | Aperitif, Open Bar, Aperitif + Open Bar or hourly extensions: the more moments you cover, the fuller the service. |
| Staff | Certified bartenders sized on the guest count and the flows, to serve with no queues. |
| Drink list and signatures | The number of cocktails on the list and any His & Hers signature drinks affect preparation and ingredients. |
| Customisation | Bespoke counter, coordinated graphics, scenic effects, experiences such as the Gin & Tonic Experience. |
| Venue and logistics | Distance, access, connections and venue constraints affect setup and timing. |
An honest price is a tailored price.
A fixed price list forces everyone to pay the same, when a wedding for 40 guests in a villa with a view is nothing like a party for 120 in a remote farmhouse. We prefer to listen to your day and build a proposal that includes everything: counter and setup, glassware, equipment, ice, selected ingredients, certified bartenders and unlimited cocktails. No hidden costs, no tab at the end of the night.
What the quote covers.
The answers we are asked most.
Open bar or pay-per-drink?
With an open bar you know the cost in advance and guests drink without thinking about a bill: no surprises for you, no awkwardness for them. Pay-per-drink can look cheaper but it is unpredictable. For a wedding, an all inclusive open bar is almost always the more relaxed choice.
How many cocktails does a guest drink on average?
It depends on the duration and the type of party, but you do not have to do the maths: we size ingredients and staff so the bar is never short, with unlimited cocktails within the agreed duration.
Does the quote really include everything?
Yes. Counter, setup, glassware, equipment, ice, ingredients, bartenders and unlimited cocktails are included. We tell you in advance what we need from the venue, so there are no surprise costs.
How do deposit and balance work?
You confirm with a deposit on signing and settle the balance before the event. Everything agreed in writing, clearly.
How quickly do I get the quote?
Within a few hours. We just need the date, the venue and an approximate guest count to send a tailored proposal. Discover the wedding open bar service.
A clear quote, within hours.
Tell us the date, the venue and the number of guests: we send a tailored, all inclusive proposal.
Request a quote