20 Bar Carts That'll Transform Your Wedding's Cocktail Hour and Reception

wedding bar cart featuring bourbon
John Schnack Photography

If you're a wine, Champagne, or cocktail connoisseur, a wedding bar cart is the perfect way to share your passion with guests. Plus, setting up a great bar scene is crucial to planning a successful reception, which makes these small-scale carts the perfect solution for brides and grooms looking to elevate their big-day party with unique alcohol options. Beyond showing off your signature cocktail or playing up your love for craft beer, a bar cart also allows guests to self-serve—which might ultimately save you money if you decide to forgo a bartender.

These stations have aesthetic purposes, too: They add tons of character to an event's overall design (talk about a win-win scenario!). Showcase your beverage offerings by dressing up your bar cart with florals, stunning glassware, or vintage details. Take this modern-cart by Jennifer Cole Florals and White Lace Events & Design, for example, which perfectly represented this whiskey-loving couple with a styled bourbon cask.

So, how can you go about adding a bar cart to your cocktail hour or reception? Consider working with a rental company, which can provide you with an option that'll fit your big-day décor. Alternatively, you can buy one—think of it as a long-term investment!—and bring it back into your home post-nuptials (it'll act as a wedding-day keepsake and elevate your living room). Luckily, there's a bar cart out there to match both your wedding and home-style: From rustic farm wagons and dainty garden carts to glamorous, old-Hollywood displays, the design options are endless.

Intrigued? When planning your big day, be sure to add a bar cart to your high-priority checklist. In the meantime, get inspired by the following photos, which showcase all the unique ways real brides and grooms utilized their own mini bar stations—they just might inspire your own.

01 of 19

Vintage Garden

ashlie adam alpert wedding tequila cart
Braedon Flynn

At this garden reception, a vintage bar cart, which displayed tequila and an arrangement of elegant, white orchids by Gilly Flowers & Events, referenced the floral theme.

02 of 19

Fruit Garland

flowers-8616-01-2013-04-d110926.jpg
Liz Banfield

Florist Jackie Reisenauer of Minneapolis' Munster Rose upgraded this modern Champagne bar cart with privet berries, bay leaves, and kumquats, which beautifully complemented the drinks' garnishes.

03 of 19

Rustic-Meets-Vintage

joey-tony-110910-00456.jpg
Amy & Stuart Photography

This couple displayed their signature drinks—made from moonshine, lemon juice, honey syrup, and watermelon lemonade—on this rustic, antique bar cart.

04 of 19

New Year's Eve Refills

lindsay evan wedding champagne cart
Lauren Jonas

The bartenders at this New Year's Eve wedding pushed Champagne-filled carts, decorated with garlands by Wimberly Fair Designs, around the reception so guests would have easy access to refills.

05 of 19

Beer Wagon

Specialty Beer Bar at Wedding
Michelle March

These craft beer-loving newlyweds highlighted their reception's brew selections on a rustic wagon bar cart, which attendees could visit as they pleased.

06 of 19

Fall-Inspired Wagon

Specialty Drink Bar, Wagon Champagne COcktail Bar
Brklyn View Photography

This large farm-style bar cart subtly referenced this fall wedding's autumnal motifs.

07 of 19

Signature Drink Sign

wedding bar cart featuring signature drink sign
AJ Dunlap

A sign by Mason Dixon Designs, which hung from this mini drink station, directed guests towards the bride and groom's signature cocktails.

08 of 19

Wildflower Cart

wedding bar cart featuring wildflowers
Emily Wren Photography

This ethereal glass bar cart looked as if it belonged in a wildflower field thanks to winding floral vines and arrangements by Faye and Renee Floral and Event Design.

09 of 19

Rose Gold Detailing

rose gold wedding bar cart
Fulleylove Photography

F. Dellit Designs

included thematic florals on this feminine bar cart, which matched the blush, peach, and bright pink tones throughout this wedding's décor.

10 of 19

Masculine Antiques

brass wedding bar cart
Hudson Nichols Photography

This bar cart was decorated with a vintage camera and books, along with masculine alcohol bottles that enhanced its antique vibes.

11 of 19

1920s-Inspired

gold wedding bar cart
This Modern Romance

How incredible is this 1920s-inspired gold-and-glass bar cart? A dramatic arrangement by The Flower Method played into the Gilded Age theme.

12 of 19

Dessert Wine and Treats

wedding bar cart featuring desserts
Jessica Gold Photography

Bar carts can display more than boozy beverages. This bar-meets-dessert station displayed edible cookie shots filled with Kahlua milk by Cheers! Cookie Shots, a darling cake by Bake Cake Shop, and dessert wine, along with a bright floral arrangement by R. Love Floral and a fun sign from Blue Eye Brown Eye.

13 of 19

Copper-Toned Aesthetic

fall wedding bar cart featuring apples and copper details
Melissa Jill Photography

This autumn-inspired bar cart, adorned with cascading greenery by Inspired Environments, offered guests copper mugs and an ice bucket, along with apples and peaches.

14 of 19

Awning Wagon

wedding bar cart farm wagon
Sarah-Jane Ethan Photography

This wooden wagon featured a beautiful awning that shaded pre-made cocktails from the sun.

15 of 19

Gold European Finishes

wedding bar cart with large wheels
Thomas Steibl

This elegant station by Elisabeth Cardich of A Very Beloved Wedding was decorated simply with a mahogany box, crystal liquor bottles, and an arrangement of pink and yellow roses and ferns by Fiona Seidl—it perfectly captured the vibe at this European-inspired wedding.

16 of 19

Summery Cocktail Selection

wedding bar cart featuring signature drinks
Kristin La Voie Photography

Summer-ready orange and red signature cocktails doubled as colorful décor along with a calligraphed sign by Calligraphy by Cristine on this gold cart.

17 of 19

Parisian Vibes

pastel-themed wedding bar cart featuring desserts
Purple Tree Wedding Photography

This bar cart's soft blue, blush, and gold color palette—brought to life by its cupcakes and cake pops by Dolled Up Cupcakes, sparkling wine, and liquor offerings—contributed to its Parisian aesthetic.

18 of 19

Faux Grass Display

greenery-filled wedding bar cart
The Arroyos

Faux grass elevated this dessert-filled bar cart and complemented this reception's floral backdrop by My Little Flower Shop.

19 of 19

Emerald-Themed Cart

emerald-themed wedding bar cart
Courtney Bowlden

This emerald-themed bar cart displayed green cocktails and glassware, which tied into the botanical wedding's overarching theme.

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