When you’re planning your wedding, you focus on the venue, flowers, photography, and timeline. One detail that often gets overlooked is alcohol service. The type of bar you choose influences the reception atmosphere, impacts your budget, and shapes the guest experience.

Here’s a guide to the most common wedding bar options in North Carolina, how they work, and what you can expect to pay.

Open Bar

Open bars cover all drinks for guests including beer, wine, and spirits. The hosts pay the full tab and guests can order drinks freely throughout the reception.

Pros:
• Guests do not need to pay
• Feels generous and celebratory
• Simple for vendors to manage

Cons:
• The most expensive option, especially for large guest lists or heavy drinkers

NC Pricing:
• Hosted open bar: $26–$32 per person for several hours of beer, wine, and standard spirits
• Premium or full liquor options: $40–$50 per person for a 5-hour event
• Example: 100 guests at $32 per person totals $3,200 before tax and service fees

Consumption Bar

A consumption bar allows you to set a budget. The bar tab runs until the budget is reached, and guests can pay for additional drinks if they wish. This approach provides cost control while still covering the first round of drinks for guests. Many venues track the drinks poured and apply charges up to the set limit.

Hosted Bar With Limits

This is similar to an open bar but limited to certain drinks. For example, you might cover beer, wine, and a few signature cocktails, while guests pay for additional options. Common setups include beer and wine only, beer, wine, and one or two signature cocktails, or cocktails available during the first hour only.

NC Pricing:
• Beer and wine only: $25–$30 per person for 4–5 hours
• Adding a signature cocktail: $7–$12 extra per person

Cash Bar

A cash bar allows guests to pay for their own drinks throughout the night. Some couples cover the first round or the toast.

Pros:
• Lowest cost for hosts
• Easy to implement

Cons:
• Less traditional and can feel awkward for some guests
• Often viewed as tacky

Beer and Wine Only

Beer and wine only is a popular hosted option. It provides enough variety for most guests while keeping the cost manageable.

NC Pricing:
• $25–$30 per person for 4–5 hours
• Example: 100 guests at $25 per person totals $2,500

Signature Cocktails Only with Beer and Wine

This option offers one or two specialty cocktails alongside beer and wine. Everything else is guest-paid. This setup adds a custom touch to the celebration and can complement the wedding design and style.

Dry Wedding

A dry wedding does not serve alcohol. This means no beer, wine, or cocktails. Couples often choose this option to keep costs low, honor family or faith traditions, or create a relaxed all-ages-friendly celebration. Some couples include mocktails or specialty non-alcoholic drinks so guests still have a festive beverage option.

Pricing Notes for North Carolina Venues

Some venues require a minimum bar spend, often $3,000 or more on peak weekends. Per-head pricing usually includes staff, setup, garnishes, and service, but taxes and service fees of 20–22% are often added. Consumption or cash bars may have setup fees even when guests pay. Most venues include all guests over 21 in per-head pricing, even if some do not drink.

Tips for Planning a Wedding Bar

Ask for sample costs based on your guest count and preferred drinks. Consider your crowd’s preferences. Include non-alcoholic options or a mocktail station. Confirm insurance, bartender requirements, and whether alcohol must be purchased through the venue.

Bonus: Champagne Towers

Champagne towers are popular for photos moments, but they can add extra costs due to setup and cleanup. They are often more decorative than functional, as the tower itself is usually not served to guests. It’s worth factoring this into your bar budget if you want that photo op!

Every wedding has different priorities. Some couples focus on guest experience while others prioritize budget. Beer and wine only or a consumption bar can be a smart balance. Open bars work best when celebrating freely with all guests is a priority.

Planning your wedding in North Carolina? All photos by me! Hi, I’m Sarah. If you want someone who understands how all these choices play out visually and can capture your day through documentary-driven photography and cinematic film, I’d love to connect. Learn more about NC wedding photography and videography at www.goldandsage.com.