Libations That Leave a Lasting Impression
DESIGNED BY MADDY LAROCK | PHOTOS BY JACK PORTUNE AND PROVIDED BY ELLIE B’S ICE CREAM
Weddings are no longer defined by the standard open bar. Today’s couples are curating beverage experiences that are as considered as their décor, as personal as their vows and as interactive as the dance floor itself. From artisanal coffee carts to handcrafted milkshakes to signature cocktails, libations are emerging as some of the most talked-about—and photographed—moments of the day.
COFFEE CARTS
For VBee’s Coffee Hive coffee is more than a drink. For three years now, it has been a curated moment at every wedding it’s been a part of. What began as a passion in a small coffee shop and at-home espresso gatherings has grown into an event service built on care and craft. The name, inspired by the owner’s initials and the symbolism of bees, reflects a quiet diligence that shows in every cup. Signature drinks are refined through conversation with couples, exploring favorite flavors and offering tailored suggestions.
“We work closely with our couples by listening to their preferences and asking about their favorite flavors,” said Vanesa Borrero, owner of Vbee’s Coffee Hive. “If they are uncertain, we provide our menu and highlight various customization options to ensure our services are tailored to their specific vision.”
Guests linger, connect and savor each sip, making this coffee cart not just a service, but an interactive, memorable part of the celebration that endures long after the last toast.Their services can be rented out for an all-inclusive fee of between $250-350 per hour, or couples can opt for an a la carte pricing option.
Storii Coffee approaches weddings with the precision of a specialty café and the energy of a gathering place. Built from a deep appreciation for true espresso—perfected on a La Marzocco Linea Mini—their mobile bar delivers the kind of quality typically reserved for brick-and-mortar coffee houses. Their favorites, the classic vanilla latte and the Onyx Latte with cinnamon, honey and vanilla, can be paired with custom “his and hers” menus, branded cups or fully wrapped carts. Guests linger, mingle and connect over lattes, hot chocolate or chai, making the cart a hub of interaction. With sleek styling, seamless service and eye-catching foam art printing, Storii Coffee becomes more than a refreshment stop—it’s a polished focal point that adds personality, warmth and a modern edge to the celebration.
Storii offers a variety of packages for weddings of different sizes and for different levels of customization, starting at $550 for two hours of service.
MILKSHAKES
Ellie B’s Ice Cream, established in 2023, stands out for treating ice cream as a fully realized wedding experience. As part of that, milkshakes here operate much like a signature cocktail: flavorful, social and deeply personal. There’s an inherent nostalgia to ice cream that instantly lowers barriers; guests compare flavors, laugh in line and share a moment that feels natural and joyful.
Flavors, colors and toppings are customized to reflect a couple’s personality, story or wedding palette, whether that means a classic chocolate shake served with elevated styling or a bespoke creation inspired by a favorite dessert or engagement location.
Owner Amanda LaLonde’s advice is simple: “Lean into the fun! Weddings are all about celebration and love and a soft-serve cone or handcrafted milkshake instantly brings smiles and creates memories your guests will never forget.”
Seasonal ingredients add another thoughtful layer, from fresh berries at spring and summer celebrations to caramel or peppermint for fall and
winter events.
Served most often after dinner or as a late-night treat, the experience is framed by a charming vintage trailer, fresh-made waffle cones prepared on-site and optional alcohol add-ins or float-style pairings. The result is an experience that is playful, photogenic and undeniably intentional.
SIGNATURE COCKTAILS
Regional vendors like Tiffins Mobile Bar, Tipsy Tini and Spunky Spirits continue to craft unforgettable experiences that taste as good as they look.
Whether going for an alcohol free mocktail that mirrors the elegance of the original cocktail or leaning into the trend of heavy and unexpected garnishes to make a fashion statement with each glass, it’s fun to have something tasty to toast with.
At Tiffins, couples have the opportunity to have a pair of signature cocktails created that reflect their taste, their wedding theme or something unique about their love story.
Rather than standing apart, these experiences settle naturally into the celebration. They work because they invite guests to pause, engage and connect. In an era of increasingly personal weddings, these libations leave an impression that lingers well beyond the last song.