In the past few months, Mr. R and I have been tossing around ideas about the bar at our wedding. Since we have a definite location, no corkage fee, and our DOC has a great (and super inexpensive) bartender that she often works with, cost isn’t as much of an issue as we thought it would be, fortunately, so I just assumed we’d have an open bar.
That was until I discovered how many different types of alcohol and mixers make up a full bar.
Mind you, we’re only inviting about 40 people to the wedding, so a full bar seemed like serious overkill. What would we do with all the leftovers!? The Mister and I like to have a few drinks every now and then, but we’re not what you’d call “drinkers”. Then I stumbled upon the “signature drink” craze, complete with cheesy names and all. I loved the idea, and Mr. R did too. We decided to have 3 signature drinks:
My favorite drink, Sex on the Beach, renamed the “Blushing Bride”
Mr. R’s favorite, a White Russian, renamed “White Wedding”
and Electric Lemonade that we’d call our “Something Blue”
And then we realized that no one would want to drink a cream-based drink at an all outdoor wedding in late spring in Florida. Can you say “pass the Pepto” five times fast? I decided that it wasn’t fair to have signature drinks if the future hubby wouldn’t be able to have his signature drink, too! At this point, I wasn’t sure what to do, so I did what any stressed out bride-to-be does: I hit the ’bee, and I hit the ’bee hard. I searched “signature drinks”, “drinks”, and “alcohol”, still nothing really called out to me. As a last resort, I hung my head and started typing “drunk”. Yes, I was that desperate. But the word “drunk” suddenly made me think of the movie “Punch Drunk Love” (I know, it’s hyphenated on the poster, but word on the street is that hyphens are becoming obsolete. And I so didn’t mean to rhyme, promise!).
Why hadn’t I thought of that earlier?! Punch, Punch, PUNCH was the answer to my prayers! I searched “punch” and what did I see? A post titled Punch (Drunk) Love a la Mrs. Taffy. It was just too perfect. Great (or in my case, desperate) minds think alike, I suppose! Her post had all these gorgeous photos of punch, and this one hit me like a ton of bricks:
Isn’t it pretty? Yes, you can “ohh and ahh”, I sure did.
Did your inspiration desperation ever lead you to an amazing—yet unexpected—find?
Wow, that is a journey! We’re having beer and wine and a signature drink, which is nothing fancy but totally delicious: bourbon and ginger ale.
Blame it on the.. ah ah ah ah ah ah-cohol! (Sorry, just got that.)
Punch is the answer to a lot of alcohol woes! We’re doing beer, wine, champagne, and perhaps, drumroll please… HUNCH PUNCH. (Aka jungle juice, swine swig, etc).
This is also a black-tie affair. :p
Oh, right — and champagne. Sorry, don’t mean to hijack the comments here.
Awe, I loved the blushing bride 
Great drink name! Can’t wait to see what great containers you find to hold all of your punch!
sounds great. We haven’t figured out what we’re doing yet… definitely wine, champs & beer & probably a signature cocktail or two!!!
good idea!! you could also have a limited bar with the basics in addition to beer, wine, and signature drinks. keep the basics on hand (vodka, scotch, gin, tequila, whiskey, bourbon, and rum) and the basic mixers (orange juice, cranberry juice, lemons, limes, tonic, coke, etc.).
Nice! I think you can do a “full” bar and just have it be… less than full. 
We’re considering a martini bar (just vodka, gin and vermouth w/ most common mixers) and it’s a heck of a lot easier than supplying alcohol for every drink out there! But I love the punch idea… it’s actually a great way to complement your decor as well!
I am so glad that my post was helpful! We ended up providing two punches: Champagne punch (which we also used for the toast) and a non alcoholic citrus punch with floating blueberries. The non alcoholic punch was a life saver for me later in the night to stay hydrated! All of our non drinking and pregnant guests also loved it.
We did end up offering beer wine and cocktails on top of the punch, but it was very popular and did help our budget!
Mmm, punch, what a great idea. And pretty ladles and containers could be involved.
oh how perfect! mmm i could go for some of that delicous looking berry punch at the end
That looks so nice! As of right now we’ll be doing beer pop & wine. I would like a signature drink, but unsure if that will cost more, or if we could do it. We’ll have to go back & see in a few months!
That table is beautiful! I have no idea what we’re doing, but hopefully a specialty bar somewhere!
The punch inspiration is gorgeous. (Punch Drunk Love is such a good movie!!)
Any chance you’d be willing to share the name of your DOC’s favorite bartender for us tampa brides?
Thanks if you can!!!
That picture is awesome – punch is a great idea – you just can’t go wrong with it!
i love the punch idea. we don’t really drink so punch is right up our alley!
Punch is a great idea!!! And that inspiration photo…wow.
Mrs. Rainbow, Tampa Age and Occupation: 22, Makeup Artist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Electrical Engineer/Programmer Engagement Date: November 27, 2008 Wedding Date: May 2010 Venue: The Gamble Plantation About Me: I'm a quirky (and slightly Type-A) freelance makeup artist who was born in Washington State, raised in Alabama, and now living with my one and only in sunny Florida. I'm fashion and beauty obsessed, and have recently discovered my inner domestic diva extraordinaire. I'm a wannabe chef, decorating addict, and trying desperately to be as crafty as possible---albeit only with a glue gun. I'm hopelessly in love with my fiance, and all things sparkly and feathery. Despite the glittery exterior, I'm a total hippie on the inside. When I'm not making up pretty faces, I love doing what I can to help people, animals, and the environment. Someday the FI and I will change the world, but first we're tackling our modern-vintage-Marie-Antoinette-meets-Alice-in-Wonderland inspired wedding. I just can't wait to be Mrs. Rainbow!
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