Experts Share Secrets Behind Planning The Perfect Shaadi Bar During Wedding Season
In modern Indian weddings, cocktail bars blend traditional elements with contemporary celebrations—despite being once considered a rare feature a few decades ago. Given the global influences that reflect upon couples preferring to host guests with a well-travelled sense of hospitality, a non-ritualistic setting enables catching up with one another and truly enjoying the experience of attending a wedding event. A cocktail bar that is thematic as well as reflects the personalities of the bride and groom, has become a significant addition that represents a growing openness towards celebratory drinking experiences and a shift in social norms. It isn’t simply limited to pouring liquor out of a bottle—rather, transforming into a curated cocktail experience, customised to suit the preferences of the hosts as well as accommodating specific details to make a service feel extra special for the guests.
Speaking about what it takes to establish a bar layout at wedding venues, Vice President of Celebrations at Tamarind Global, Anjali Tolani says, “A successful bar design balances aesthetics with functionality and guest flow. We believe that a bar should be visually appealing while also enabling efficient guest service. There are clear zones within the layout—the preparation area, the service bar, the display shelves and the replenishment area—with an emphasis on ease of movement. Adequate back-bar storage with easy access to ice and glassware helps ensure that drink orders reach guests without long wait times.” Mukta Kapoor, Director of the Delhi-based Yuna Weddings adds that an often overlooked but always essential element is also having easy access to running water and drainage as well as adequate refrigeration facilities and an insulated ice storage that helps bartenders restock in close quarters, as opposed to taking their time to refill.
What Makes A Memorable Drinks Service
While back-end functionality becomes the foundation of a smoothly run drinks service, Mukta also points out that for it to be memorable within the perception of the attendees, three factors come into play—namely speed, personal connection and theatrics. She further elaborates upon this saying, “A memorable bar experience usually has a signature drink or a welcome pour along with a bartender who engages with the guests and not just dispenses drink orders. If a service flow is smooth and the cocktails feel intentional, guests remember it long after the wedding.” Anjali adds that, “When the bar is part of a theme-driven experience, it creates great interactivity with the guests.
This may take the form of a mixology counter, where guests can create and invent their own drinks, possibly inspired by themes that reflect different perspectives of the couple’s journey, for whom the wedding bar is designed.” Building upon this very notion, Mukta’s experience suggests that thoughtfully chosen glassware and garnishes along with zero waiting time during peak moments have a crucial role in making or breaking the flow of a bar service. Signature cocktails named after the bride and groom, presentations through geometric designs, molecular infusions and temperature variations—together with classical dramatic elements such as smoke are some details that Anjali attributes to being memorable takeaways for wedding guests.
Image Credits: Yuna Weddings
Picking The Right Location For A Bar Set-Up
In Anjali’s opinion, ‘finding an ideal position for the bar becomes a balancing act of visibility, accessibility and convenience of service,’ while Mukta believes that a beautifully placed bar can help direct the flow of a space and the movement of guests through an event. When taking into consideration the location of a cocktail bar at a wedding venue—given that each one may vary in layout than the other—Mukta believes that the bar’s proximity to the dance floor and lounge seating plays a crucial role, so that it is ‘close enough to the action without blocking the location.’ Anjali adds that an adjacent access to power and water supply as well as service rooms, is necessary for smooth operational use. “The positioning should also logically allow for easy queuing for drinks without compromising interior décor elements or limiting potential seating arrangements. In the case of a large wedding, several bars are usually distributed across the venue to prevent overcrowding at any single point.”
As a preventive measure, Mukta also suggests steering clear of placing a bar set-up directly under strong sunlight since it might not only act detrimentally to the overall celebratory atmosphere but also end up melting ice reserved for or being used in beverages. The location must also have enough back-of-house access to discreetly replenish stock, according to her. “The interplay of light, sound and overall aesthetics also influences the final positioning. The ultimate aim is to create a bar that seamlessly integrates into the overall experience—an essential element of the celebration, yet not an overpowering spectacle on its own,” Anjali quips.
Styling The Set-Up: Interplaying Beauty & Function
The aesthetic requirements of modern-day wedding drinks services are directly proportional to their ability to dispense drinks quickly. A well-designed bar should never compromise serviceability, as per Anjali, who adds that statement counter heights, an easily accessible storage, non-slip work surfaces and clear working areas for the staff are always accounted for. Mukta, who believes that style is equally important, echoes similar sentiments. She suggests working with one ‘hero’ material or texture (think: acrylic top, cane weave front, metal lattice work, mirror facades) as well as keeping the back-bar visually clean and free of clutter, with repeated bottles and uniform garnish jars.
Creating a balance between adequate task lighting for the bar staff and warm lighting for guests along with avoiding any florals placed on the work surface to prevent an interference with service speed and hygiene are Mukta’s definition of ‘form following function.’ In Anjali’s perception, necessities such as glassware racks, ice wells, garnishing stations must be seamlessly incorporated into the design instead of appearing visually separate from the overall aesthetic. “The intention is to create a beautiful focal point that allows service staff to deliver speedy and consistent service.”
Image Credits: Reels & Frames
Mixology Advancements That Reflect Client Requirements
Artisanal cocktails are no longer confined to the space of a high-end cocktail bar; wedding events are catching up just as quickly. Mukta—who works closely with specialised bar management companies—since technical skill and operational discipline become key factors for a seamless service, senses a strong shift toward ingredient-forward and clarified cocktails as well as the incorporation of local and seasonal ingredients such as kokum, gondhoraj, jamun, lime leaves and Indian basil. Anjali points out that emphasis on specialised techniques such as fat washing, sous-vide variations and flavoured smoke is also gaining traction.
“Modern clients appreciate both the new and the familiar. The craft mixology and cocktail business continues to trend with a demand for signature cocktails featuring fresh herbs, funky syrups and exotic spirits,” she says. Both Anjali and Mukta also observe that mocktails are no longer an afterthought and are being crafted with the same care as their alcoholic counterparts. Mukta states that low-sugar and low ABV options are appreciated as much as a well-made whisky sour. ‘Classic cocktails with a twist—like a spice-infused Old Fashioned or floral G&Ts—remain popular,’ as per Anjali, who says that clients seek experiences which blend flavours with presentation and storytelling.
Planning An Age-Fluid Drinks Menu
As per Anjali, the key to planning a drinks menu for weddings is inclusivity. Her company’s primary process involves profiling guests before developing offerings that cater to diverse age groups, following which the expectations of the attendees are taken into consideration. “Sustainability also plays a significant role in bar setups, with many incorporating eco-friendly straws, locally sourced ingredients and minimal waste practices,” she quips. According to Mukta, simple pours such as a whisky-soda or G&T are constant features of a cocktail menu, along with the availability of classic cocktails such as the whisky sour or old fashioned. In addition to this, she divulges that signature cocktails inspired by the couple or the wedding venue are always received well.
For non-drinkers, early sippers and anyone below legal drinking age, beautifully crafted non-alcoholic drinks are equally important, in her opinion. “For adults—a mix of premium spirits, wines, beers and signature cocktails ensures variety while seniors usually prefer lighter beverages or timeless classics; younger guests tend to enjoy funky cocktails, infused drinks and mocktails. A dedicated non-alcoholic beverage area with juices, coolers and fun, flavourful drinks that also look appealing ensures that everyone feels included,” Anjali adds.
Image Credits: Reels & Frames
Common Challenges For Setting Up A Cocktail Bar
Like most projects, wedding events come with their own share of challenges despite the rigorous preparation—something Mukta believes can be resolved with professional planning and the right bar partners. Some of the factors that pose as frequent challenges in her experience also include not enough trained staff per bar counter along with the impact of weather. She says that, “Humidity kills carbonation while the heat melts garnishes. In addition, each local venue has its share of restrictions—especially in heritage or outdoor setups.”
Anjali adds licensing approvals to the list of roadblocks. “When there is an influx of guests during peak times, service can become particularly taxing unless properly planned, making capacity and staffing key focus areas. Outdoor venues may require temperature controls to keep drinks palatable. Booking catering, enforcing responsible service of alcohol and maintaining stock consistency often create additional stressors.”
Evolution Of Drink Stations Through The Years
Given how advancements in mixological techniques have taken the world by storm, cocktail bars at weddings are adapting the experience for a specialised audience, to ensure that their time spent attending events is worthwhile. Anjali says that while hospitality and its multiple aspects like quick service, well-trained bartenders and consistency in quality remain constant, ‘classic cocktails, elegant glassware and themed bar areas will always transcend trends.’ Mukta quips that, “Over the last decade, bars have shifted from being utility counters to experiential design statements. Mixology has gone from flair tricks to ingredient integrity and technique. That said, good glassware, ice and hospitality remain timeless. Trends come and go, warmth stays.”
Image Credits: Yuna Weddings
What An Ideal Cocktail Bar Set-Up Looks Like
All the requirements and aspirations of the couple and their family aside, Anjali and Mukta believe that there’s always scope to do something the way it should be done; in the sense that the idea of using their expertise would mean having a setup that isn’t simply governed by aesthetic standards or the volume of service. Mukta says, “A well-planned bar is not decorative, it is a hospitality centre within the celebration. If it’s a large gathering, a single bar will inevitably create queues, so we always recommend a minimum of two bars. Similarly, if the space is divided—for example—part indoor and part outdoor, then each zone must have its own bar to avoid guests crowding or having to walk across the venue with drinks.” She also suggests that the bar closest to the music or dance floor should always be treated as the main bar; that is where the highest volume, quickest service and most skilled bartenders should be positioned. “Any additional bars then function as satellite bars—perfect for loungers, older guests, pre-function mingling and quieter zones.”
Anjali states that, “A good bar setup should offer accessibility, visual impact and service efficiency. Incorporating interactive elements such as garnish and drink counters or a station for signature cocktails adds to the charm of the setup. Ultimately, a good setup is one where guests are served promptly and the bar contributes to create a richer overall atmosphere for the event.” Mukta also shares key tips to keep in mind for an uninterrupted bar service—to keep drinks and small pours circulating through moving service during peak hours since it reduces pressure on the bar, including at least one water and non-alcoholic or light refreshment station that is equally visible and inviting and ensuring there is a clear, unobstructed back-of-house route for restocking bottles, ice, and glassware.
*Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
