A Different Kind of "Bar"

It's not anything new for a wedding to involve a bar.. but lately some very different kinds of "bars" have been appearing. Brides and grooms are finding innovative ways to present something they like in the form of a bar or buffet.

One of the most popular is the candy bar. A variety of sweet and savory treats are presented in a buffet fashion where guests can grab a bag or box and fill it up. This is always a hit and guests love to get a sugar boost as they are dancing the night away.

For those with less of a sweet tooth but still looking to snack, there is a popcorn bar. You can order popcorn from a company like PopcornPalace.com and set it up in the same manner as the candy bar. There are so many interesting flavors of popcorn these days -- from jalapeno to strawberry cream, there is something for everyone. You can also mix up a popcorn bar with some chocolate covered pretzels to create a salty n' sweet bar. Yum!

Continuing on with the sweet trend, some other variations include a cookie bar with different types of cookies (don't forget the mugs of milk!), and a dessert bar with pastries, cupcakes, pies, etc. Some couples choose to celebrate their cultures by including specialty desserts from their ethnic backgrounds, or they use family recipes and include the recipe cards for guests to take home.

If sweets aren't your thing, consider including a raw seafood bar during your cocktail hour, or as a station during your reception. Shrimp, crab legs, and other seafood delicacies can be displayed on beds of ice or in an elaborate ice sculpture which looks sleek and tastes good, too. Another great non-sweets bar is the mashed potato bar. Anyone who knows me is aware of my obsession with all things potato, so this is my kind of bar. You include all the great toppings - bacon bits, cheddar cheese, sour cream, etc. and serve the mashed goodness in martini glasses. Speaking of martini glasses...
Beverage bars are also an option. Martini bars with specialty martinis or coffee bars with different flavors are both popular choices.

Whatever your taste, there seems to be bars of all kinds popping up lately. It's a chance for the bride and groom to have something unique and fun at their wedding, and guests just love them. And just an FYI - Flawless Occasions has set up many bars at our past weddings - we have beautiful glass containers and scoops available for rental; you just provide the treats. We set up and maintain the bar at no additional cost! :) Here are some great resources for supplies you may need for these bars:
Bulk Candy: www.candywarehouse.com, www.metrocandy.com
Popcorn: www.popcornpalace.com, www.thepopcornfactory.com
Personalized gift bags or boxes: www.foryourparty.com
Ice Sculpture for martini luges or raw bars: www.icecreamiest.com
And here are some inspiration photos:




























































Photo credits: Candy buffet by Beth Carrick, Seafood buffet from MarthaStewart.com, Martini Bar from NYcityweddings.com, Popcorn Bar from TheKnot.com, Mashed potato bar from 217photography.com. Photo at top by Limelight Photography, Cookie buffet from weddingsbycolor.com.