Bar

A bar is a counter where alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served. Bars often serve drinks to guests during a wedding reception.

Types of Bar Service

Open Bars

Cash Bars

Cash Bar - A fully stocked bar where guests pay for drinks.
Partial Cash Bar - A fully stocked bar where the bride and groom typically provide wine and beer and guests pay for liquor drinks.

Whether or not a wedding has an open bar or a cash bar, the venue will charge for drinks in one of several ways:

Consumption Bar - Charge per pour.
Per Person Bar - Flat-rate per person charge.
Per Person/Per Hour - Flat-rate per person charge per hour. Often they don't have to be continuous (i.e. can break for dinner).

The following is a general guideline for 100 guests. Quantities should be adjusted for lighter or heavier drinking crowds.

Standard

Optional Specialty Liqueurs

Set-ups For The Bar

Have a couple of signature cocktails with wine and beer instead of a full open bar.
Only have a champagne toast instead of serving it all night long. Or skip the champagne entirely and just allow the guests to toast with whatever they already have at the table.
Bringing in your own alcohol, if your venue permits it, is a great way to cut costs.
Try to purchase liquor from a store that will deliver the alcohol to your venue and offer refunds for any unopened, unchilled bottles.
Limit your bar offerings to beer and wine only. Most guests will be happy with that and you can even spotlight local wine/beers.
While some feel that a trained bartender lends a touch of class, many weddings (particularly smaller ones) do just fine with a willing friend filling the role, or by having guests serve themselves.