Wedding Bar Options in Buffalo, NY and How to Choose the Best One for Your Big Day
When planning your dream wedding, few elements set the tone for celebration quite like the bar. Whether you're envisioning signature cocktails, fine wines, or a full-service bar that keeps the party flowing all night long, understanding your bar package options is key to creating an experience that matches your style and budget.
Here’s a breakdown of the most popular wedding bar package options and what couples should consider when choosing the perfect one:
1. Open Bar
Best for: Large weddings, all-inclusive experiences, or when you want guests to feel truly pampered.
An open bar means guests have the freedom to order drinks of their choosing. This is the most guest-friendly and elegant option, and it typically includes beer, wine, liquor, mixers, and non-alcoholic beverages
.
Pros:
Seamless and luxurious guest experience
Encourages a lively, celebratory atmosphere
Easier to budget with a flat per-person rate
Cons:
Most expensive option
2. Limited Bar
Best for: Couples looking for a balance of generosity and control over cost.
A limited bar offers a curated selection of drinks, such as beer, wine, and a few signature cocktails or select liquors. This is a great middle-ground option that still gives guests variety without the full cost of an open bar.
Pros:
More affordable than open bar
Offers variety while managing costs
Signature cocktails add a personal touch
Cons:
May disappoint some guests expecting a full open bar.
3. Beer & Wine Bar
Best for: Couples looking to rein in costs, or for religious couples who wish to offer limited alcohol to guests.
At a wedding with a beer and wine bar, a selection of beer and wine brands is available along with a variety of non-alcoholic beverages. This provides alcohol options for guests, maintaining a festive atmosphere, but keeps costs low.
Pros:
Lower cost for the couple
Provides some alcohol with less chance for overconsumption.
Cons:
Can feel less hospitable
Limited options for guests who prefer cocktails
4. Cash Bar (*Note: This is not an option offered at Notting Hill Farm)
Best for: Budget-conscious weddings or couples who want to offer a celebration without alcohol costs.
At a cash bar, guests pay for their own drinks. This removes the financial responsibility from the couple but may not be ideal for all wedding atmospheres.
Pros:
No cost to the couple
Allows guests to choose what they want
Cons:
Can feel less hospitable
Slows down service at the bar
The gorgeousness that is the private and secluded estate at Notting Hill Farm. Your dream photoshoot awaits!
5. Hosted Bar with a Cap (*Note: This is not an option offered at Notting Hill Farm)
Best for: Couples who want to treat their guests but need to stick to a firm budget.
This hybrid option allows you to host the bar up to a certain dollar amount or time limit. After the cap is reached, it transitions into a cash bar.
Pros:
Provides a hosted experience without unlimited costs
Gives you control over your budget
Cons:
May confuse guests if not communicated clearly
Slows down service at the bar
6. Dry Bar / Non-Alcoholic Bar
Best for: Daytime weddings, religious or cultural ceremonies, or alcohol-free celebrations.
Not every wedding includes alcohol, and a dry bar can be just as festive. Offer sparkling waters, artisanal mocktails, craft sodas, and gourmet coffee bars for a sophisticated, inclusive celebration.
Pros:
Family-friendly and inclusive
Unique drink options can still feel elevated
Cons:
May not meet all guests’ expectations if alcohol is anticipated
Bonus: Custom Add-Ons
No matter the package you choose, many venues and bar services offer add-ons such as:
Signature cocktails named by the couple
Champagne toasts and champagne welcomes
Craft beer
Wine on the tables for dinner
Specialty stations (e.g., bourbon bar)
Specialty options (i.e., seltzers)
Choosing the Right Package for Your Wedding
When selecting your bar package, consider:
Budget: Establish how much you're willing to allocate for alcohol—it'll help guide your choices from the start.
Guest List Size: The more people attending, the more cost-effective your drink selections may need to be.
Venue Policies: Some locations may have specific requirements, including using their in-house bar services or following certain alcohol rules.
Licensing and Insurance: Check whether your venue requires certified bartenders with liability insurance.
Event Duration: The length of your celebration can impact bar planning—at Notting Hill Farm, the bar can remain open for a total of five hours maximum.
Consider Guest Tastes: Choose drink options that your guests are likely to enjoy and appreciate.
Promote Safe Service: Make sure the bartenders are trained to serve responsibly and can step in if a guest has had too much.
Include Non-Alcoholic Choices: Providing options like soda, water, and mocktails helps everyone feel part of the celebration.
Bar Staffing: The bartending service will provide the necessary team to staff your event’s bar.
Talk with your venue about what’s included in each package, and don’t hesitate to ask about customization. With the right bar setup, your celebration will be toasting, mingling, and dancing the night away in style.
Cheers to Love, Laughter, and a Well-Stocked Bar!
We hope you enjoyed this blog about wedding bar options in Buffalo, NY and how to choose the best one for your big day. Whether you're going all-out with an open bar or keeping it cozy with craft mocktails, your wedding bar sets the tone for an unforgettable celebration. So raise your glass—and let the good times pour!
WHY CHOOSE NOTTING HILL FARM FOR YOUR WEDDING IN BUFFALO, NY
· Stress-free experience! YOU should be a guest at your own wedding! At Notting Hill Farm, we pride ourselves on providing the most relaxed, enjoyable, and stress-free experience for you and your guests. Not only do we provide a full day-of coordinator to handle all of your personal wedding details and to carry out your wedding day vision, we employ 18 wedding professionals with decades of combined experience to ensure your day is running smoothly and everything carried out to your expectations. Neither you nor your guests will lift a finger here!
· Location, location, location. No other venue in WNY has the secluded, private and serene setting on a quiet country road with a spectacular, panoramic view, and only 10 minutes to the nearest hotels in the quaint village of East Aurora!
· Quality. There’s no match for the quality of our building, or the quality of your experience. Not only is our building chock full of luxurious amenities, including two fantastic and very large get-ready spaces, it is the most perfect and stunning backdrop for your dream day. TONS of natural lighting for great photos, and numerous indoor and outdoor photo ops.
· Value. At Notting Hill Farm, we have NO MINIMUMS and NO HIDDEN FEES. Our venue rental fee INCLUDES your ceremony/ceremony chairs/arbor and setup, an experienced and meticulous DAY-OF COORDINATOR (neither you, your family, nor your guests will lift a finger here), linens, decor, and MUCH MORE. Our pricing is transparent and simple and spelled out clearly in our Pricing Guide (see 2026 version attached for reference)…there are no “hidden” charges that you may encounter at other venues. And our venue rental fee is priced per season, giving you lots of options to save!
· Capacity. We can very comfortably accommodate weddings of 50 and up to 250, no breaking down guest tables to make room for dancing, no dance floor or buffets located in a separate room, and our bar is located right in the main space for ease of guest access. We can also accommodate a variety of floor plans, and we have both round and rectangular tables!
· Exclusive catering with Zambistro, one of Western New York’s BEST caterers. Zambistro has put together menus exclusive to our venue. When you book with us, your date is automatically secured with Zambistro, and we work hand-in-hand as a team to ensure a flawless day. No caterer shopping required!
· FREE decor! We include with every venue rental your choice of one of three FREE quality, upscale decor packages from our Something Borrowed collection! All three packages include charger plates, table numbers, a variety of small signs, and a card box. Additionally, we offer a trio of pillar candles in glass cylinders and clear glass votives for your tables and fireplace mantel, all included!
· Back-Up Plans. Not only do we have a stunning back-up covered ceremony space (our beautiful covered patio), we are one of the few venues that also has automatic standby generators that switch on automatically in the event of a power outage and power the entire building. Additionally, we also have a full professional sound system in the event your DJ’s system fails. We keep the party going!
· Plenty of Options! We also offer plenty of high-quality add-on options that make it easy to customize your event and take it to the next level without having to search for a vendor, everything from a fire pit and s'mores package, photo booth, cigar and bourbon packages, dramatic drapery and cafe lights, and the ultimate coffee station!
Supporting Local
At Notting Hill Farm, we’re committed to raising awareness about the importance of supporting locally owned wedding venues. You can make a difference by writing a Google review, following these venues on social media, and sharing recommendations whenever you can. Your support means the world to us and to small business owners across the country. We’re excited to give a heartfelt shoutout to some of our incredible venue owner colleagues nationwide. If you’re planning your big day, consider choosing a locally owned venue—find some of the best through the Wedding Venue Map. The Ma Maison, Chapman Hill Blog, Topeka Social Blog, Lone Star Oaks Blog, Blueberry Hill Wedding Venue Things To Do, Mayberry Meadows Blog, All 4 One Farms Blog, CHATEAU JOLI Journal, Catawba Falls Blog, Love Grove Estate Blog
