Dinner, toasts and cake

DIY Bar and Drink Station

If you are supplying the drinks, the bar needs more than bottles: a table and a cloth, somewhere to keep ice and a scoop for it, labels, glasses and napkins.

20 products, each chosen by I Do with a note on why.

Prices marked ~ are estimates. Check the retailer for current prices and availability.

The table3

  • Folding Table (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Living and More 6 ft Fold-in-Half Table, White

    A six-foot table that folds in half, holds 300 lb and lives in a closet: the gift table, the bar.

    ~$150 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Folding Table (opens in a new tab)
  • Six-Foot Tablecloths (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: WEALUXE White Tablecloths, 60 x 102 in, 2 Pack

    A folding table is always covered at a wedding.

    ~$20 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Six-Foot Tablecloths (opens in a new tab)
  • Disinfecting Wipes (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, 75 Count, 3 Pack

    Rented tables arrive dusty, the self-serve bar gets sticky.

    ~$15 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Disinfecting Wipes (opens in a new tab)

Ice and drinks8

  • Glass Drink Dispenser (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: 2 Gallon Glass Beverage Dispenser with Stand

    Ice water with sliced citrus at the ceremony entrance is the first thing every hot-weather guide recommends.

    ~$40 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Glass Drink Dispenser (opens in a new tab)
  • Galvanized Drink Tubs (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: BARsics Galvanized Beverage Tubs, Set of 2

    The simplest way to serve cold drinks outdoors without a bar.

    ~$60 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Galvanized Drink Tubs (opens in a new tab)
  • 120 Quart Ice Chest (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Igloo Polar Hard Cooler, 120 Quart

    Ice is the thing that runs out at 7 p.m.

    ~$130 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: 120 Quart Ice Chest (opens in a new tab)
  • Ice Scoop (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Stainless Steel Ice Scoop, 6 oz

    Without one, guests scoop ice with a cup or their hands.

    ~$5 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Ice Scoop (opens in a new tab)
  • Disposable Gloves (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: MedPride Nitrile Gloves, Powder-Free, Medium, 100 Count

    For trash, wet floral foam, ice and cutting fruit for the bar.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Disposable Gloves (opens in a new tab)
  • Hot Drink Dispenser (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Vondior Insulated Airpot, 5 Litre

    A cocoa or cider station is the cold-weather idea every guide leads with, and this is the hardware.

    ~$60 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Hot Drink Dispenser (opens in a new tab)
  • Champagne Stoppers (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Cuisinart Stainless Champagne Stopper

    Every brunch ends with half-full bottles.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Champagne Stoppers (opens in a new tab)
  • Waiter's Corkscrews (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: HYZ Waiter's Corkscrews, 20 Pack

    A plain wine key lives in a kitchen drawer for years.

    ~$45 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Waiter's Corkscrews (opens in a new tab)

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Don't forget, nothing to buy

  • Check the venue's alcohol rules, and whether a licensed bartender is required, before you buy anything.
  • Plan on about a pound of ice per guest, more in summer.
  • Label every dispenser, including the water.

Glasses and napkins6

  • Plastic Champagne Flutes (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Prestee Plastic Champagne Flutes, 100 Count

    For the toast or the send-off when the venue does not supply glassware.

    ~$30 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Plastic Champagne Flutes (opens in a new tab)
  • Party Cups, 16 oz (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Glad Everyday Disposable Plastic Party Cups, Red, 16 oz, 100 Count

    The cup every part of a wedding weekend runs on, and the one thing nobody packs: the welcome party.

    ~$15 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Party Cups, 16 oz (opens in a new tab)
  • Drink Markers (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: GAINWELL Metallic Wine Glass Marker Pens, 8 Count

    Twelve people, identical cups, and half of them abandoned by nine o'clock.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Drink Markers (opens in a new tab)
  • Mr and Mrs Cocktail Napkins (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Gold Foil Mr and Mrs Cocktail Napkins, 100

    Every bar needs napkins; these say whose wedding it is.

    ~$15 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Mr and Mrs Cocktail Napkins (opens in a new tab)
  • Another option

    Custom Cocktail Napkins (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Personalized 3-Ply Cocktail Napkins, 100

    Your names and date on every napkin at the bar.

    With your names and date

    ~$30 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Custom Cocktail Napkins (opens in a new tab)
  • Paper Napkins, 400 (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Vanity Fair Everyday Paper Napkins, White, 400 Count

    Plain white napkins in the quantity a weekend actually uses, for the house.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Paper Napkins, 400 (opens in a new tab)

Signs3

  • Signature Drinks Sign (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Personalized Acrylic Signature Cocktail Sign

    Names the his and hers cocktails, or whatever is in the dispensers, at a self-serve bar.

    With your names and design

    ~$20 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Signature Drinks Sign (opens in a new tab)
  • Hanging Chalkboard Tags (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: EBOOT Mini Chalkboard Signs with String, 10

    Hang one on each dispenser or bucket and write what is inside.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Hanging Chalkboard Tags (opens in a new tab)
  • Mimosa Bar Sign, Acrylic (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Andaz Press Mimosa Bar Acrylic Sign, 7.5 x 11 in, Stand Included

    A clear acrylic mimosa bar sign with its own stand, so the drinks table explains itself.

    ~$15 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Mimosa Bar Sign, Acrylic (opens in a new tab)

Missing something?

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