Raising the Bar | Tara Guérard Soirée

photo by Corbin Gurkin

We’ve recently been getting several questions and comments on our bars that we build and style, so I thought sharing a post with tips and suggestions would be a great post for Tip Tuesday. The first tip I can start with would be to keep the top of the bar clear and clutter free… Meaning, no plastic straws, cut fruit/garnishes, and the bottles of every brand and type of liquor you are serving. The tables supporting the tops of the bars are the perfect place to stash all of these necessities.

photo by Liz Banfield

One of our client’s favorite design elements are our fabric covered bars. It’s a great way to take a be space that is less than pretty and make it pop with pretty. It also provides a great area to bring in a design element used elsewhere in the event design. Spoonflower is a great resource for printing fabric (or wallpaper which you could also use). We have used a variety of different materials for toppers too- marble remnants, butcher block, copper sheeting, even inexpensive laminate.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

Another design idea that has given our bars major wow factor, is using natural elements en masse. Chopped wood gives a luxurious fall backdrop, and greenery simply stapled on the base covers the bar with affordable glamour. We have even used a tree that was blown over in a recent hurricane to jazz up a rehearsal dinner bar space!

photo by Corbin Gurkin

For an outdoor bar, using two interior lamps changes the feel of the bar instantly. Anchoring the top with lamps (hello, TJMaxx) offers the perfect lighting solution with a glamorous glow all night.

photo by Liz Banfield

If you don’t have the manpower to construct the bars on your own, but have access to a good party rental company, they can be a great resource. These two half moon bars from Snyder Event Rentals put together give a space big enough to serve hundreds. They are formal, sophisticated and EASY. I’ve even seen patterned paper or fabric put in the squares for added design.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

I’m a big fan of bookshelves housing the rental glassware, votives, and signage decluttering the serving area, and offering guests a nice visual.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

For easy bar styling at home, arrange a buffet, console table, or dining table in an area away from the food to avoid crowding. Trays gathered from around your home (or home decor store) can be used to display pretty bottles, cocktail napkins, and bowls of cut fruit or garnish. We used washable dry erase markers to display handwritten beverage options and signature drinks on a framed mirror- EASY, inexpensive and clever!