🥂 Your celebration just got easier (and more fun). 🥂

Starting July 2025, Sunset Oaks now holds a Mixed Beverage Permit. That means we handle all alcohol service in-house—no more trips to the liquor store or confusing BYOB rules.

✨ Why This Is Better for You:

No hauling bottles & supplies. We supply everything.

No more guessing & over-buying. Only pay for the alcohol we pour.

No how-to headaches. We map it out clearly below.

You choose the vibe. From basic to bougie- options abound.

Flat service fee ($595) + drinks = done.

Epic cost savings. Set your max & swap to a cash bar.

What are my bar options:

  • Fully Hosted Open Bar:

    • Guests drink on your open tab all night.

    • Pre-scheduled checkpoints to keep you informed on spending.

    • This is a great option for those with a larger bar budget and/or a family member who want so gift you the bar (typical spend is $1K-2K+)

  • Partially Hosted Bar:

    • You set a max budget (minimum $500). Guests drink on your tab until it’s used up, then they pay for their own drinks (swap to cash bar).

    • Cash Bar: Guests buy their own drinks once your predetermined max budget is met.

    • This is the most popular, cost effective option for most couples.

⭐️ Heads up: no outside alcohol is allowed. All alcohol must be purchased and consumed onsite via in-house bar.

❤️ Our Promise to You: Planning a wedding is A LOT. This part doesn’t have to be. We make it simple, custom, and totally unforgettable. 🥂

  • Flat Upfront Service Fee Covers:

    ✔ Bar consultation to discuss your custom menu

    ✔ Printed bar menu (final 45 days prior to wedding)

    ✔ Bartender(s) (trained + licensed) up to 5 hrs max

    ✔ All drink supplies & ingredients, ice, cups, straws etc

    ✔ Bar setup + cleanup

    ⭐️ Optional extras:

    • frozen margarita machine

    • pre-ordered dressing room (beer/mimosa) packages

    • champagne tower

    • Book the bar (pay & sign the contract)

    • Finalize Menu & all bar-related decisions 45 days prior to the wedding.

    • No menu changes will be made after the 45 day mark.

    • Keep family and wedding party informed that NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL is permitted.

    1. Enjoy pre-ordered dressing room mini-bar package. (mimosas, beer buckets, cocktail pitchers)

    2. No outside alcohol. No hard liquor.

    3. Dressing Rooms will be packed up before the ceremony.

    Please ensure your wedding party is aware of the legal terms- no alcohol may be brought onsite. No coolers, flasks, bottles, etc.

    1. Enjoy open bar! Service begins after ceremony and ends 15 min prior to scheduled event end time (5 hrs max).

    2. Partially Hosted Bar:

      All alcohol will be charged to the card on file until max budget is reached. Then guests may swipe for drinks as they continue to order.

    3. Fully Hosted Bar (open-tab with no max budget), check-ins are available based on pre-set time or tab amounts (as arranged in advance, in writing).

    Sunset Oaks Venue / Top Shelf Events staff are obligated to follow all TABC seller-server policies. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason.

    • Bar closes 15 min prior to the set event end time and/or end of paid DJ service time (5 hrs max bar service)

    • Close out hosted tab.

    • Any tabs left open will encounter 18% gratuity.

    • Clients should ensure all guests have a safe ride home within all applicable laws.

    • No alcohol may leave the property.

    • A final walkthrough with the client and the venue to ensure no apparent damage or items are left behind.

  • Sunset Oaks Venue / Top Shelf Events staff are obligated to follow all TABC seller-server policies. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason.

    No Outside Alcohol: All drinks must be bought and consumed at the venue. No bringing in or taking out alcohol.

    Dressing Rooms: You can pre-order a mini-bar package. No hard liquor allowed. All drinks will be removed before the ceremony.

    Bar Hours: The bar opens after the ceremony and closes 15 minutes before the event ends (maximum 5 hours).

    NO underaged drinking. No alcohol served to guests under 21 y/o.

    NO Shots nor Neat Liquor will be served

    Smoking only in designated areas, utilizing butt-cans. No indoor vaping.

    No marijuana on property. It’s illegal (and has a very obvious scent)

    Fines are in place to ensure compliance - $250 charged to the tab per occurrence.

    Repeat non compliance will be handled by Smith Co Sheriff’s Office- alcohol, drugs, or otherwise. (completely avoidable- last resort!)

  • • Don’t overthink the bar menu!

    • The brands and recipes are curated specifically from highly experienced bartenders after HUNDREDs of weddings. We won’t steer you wrong.

    • Make sure your FAMILY & WEDDING PARTY know about the no outside alcohol rule.

    • Make sure your guests know about the no outside alcohol rule.

    ❌ no coolers, no bottles, no flasks, no drinking in the parking lot ❌

    Sunset Oaks Venue / Top Shelf Events staff are obligated to follow all TABC seller-server policies. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason.

Choosing your menu:

✅ Choose the menu categories that best fit your budget & crowd

🥃 We keep a set selection of brands proven to be fan faves!

📣 Re-name cocktails to your theme (his, hers, ours)!

Beer, Wine & Sparkling Categories

(choose unlimited categories)

  • Domestic Beers $3

  • House Wine $3

  • Import & Seltzers $4

  • Bottled Wine/Sparkling $5

  • Craft Beer + Craft Seltzers $6

“Basic Mixed Drinks”

(One brand category = 30+ drink options)

Single Mixer + Single Liquor Mixed Drinks.

  • 7 different mixers in-stock

  • Choose ONE brand category:

    • House $4 , Call $5 , or Premium $6

  • Each category has 5+ liquors: whiskey, vodka, tequila, rum, bourbon at that price point. See full menu for list of brands.

“Craft & Signature Recipes”

Custom Ordered Ingredients- choose up to 4 recipes total

  • “Signature” Cocktails: Well-Known Recipes made with your choice of alcohol tier from in-stock brands.

    • House $5, Call $6, or Premium $7

    • i.e. margaritas, cold fashioned, ranch water, etc

  • “Craft” Cocktails: Fun cocktails curated for wedding crowds. Starting at $7

    • i.e. East Texas Sunset, Something Blue, Lavender Lemonade, etc

See full menu for detailed list & recipes.

Example Menu

with Domestic Beers, House Wine, Basic Cocktails (house liquors), 1 Signature, 1 Craft

 General FAQs

  • No Outside Alcohol (by law): All drinks must be bought and consumed at the venue. No bringing in or taking out alcohol.

    Bar Hours: The bar opens after the ceremony and closes 15 minutes before the event ends (maximum 5 hours).

    NO underaged drinking. No alcohol served to guests under 21 y/o.

    NO Shots nor Neat Liquor will be served

    Fines are in place to ensure compliance - $250 charged to the tab per occurrence.

    Sunset Oaks Venue / Top Shelf Events staff are obligated to follow all TABC seller-server policies. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason.

    Repeat non compliance will be handled by Smith Co Sheriff’s Office- alcohol, drugs, or otherwise. (completely avoidable- last resort!)

  • Yes, by law, all alcohol must be purchased and consumed onsite.

    You control the menu and the budget!

    Sunset Oaks Venue / Top Shelf Events staff are obligated to follow all TABC seller-server policies. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason.

  • Yes, select your dressing room package in advance, to be purchased from the in-house bar.

    No outside alcohol permitted. No BYOB such as coolers, flasks, or bottles.

    • The bar opens for cocktail hour immediately after the ceremony.

    • The bar closes 15 min prior to the scheduled end of the event.

    • This allows guest time to finish their last drink and have some water before saying goodbyes.

    • 5 hrs is the maximum duration of bar service per your Sunset Oaks rental agreement.

    • Outside alcohol, parking lot drinking, flasks, or the presence of any other outside alcohol is illegal.

  • Yes, you will be given instructions on how to pay the security officer(s) directly.

    125 guests or less = 1 officer, $250

    Over 125 = 2 officers, $500

  • All alcohol must be purchased through Top Shelf Events served by a Top Shelf Events bartender.

    To offer alcohol in any form that’s not from “behind the bar,” you will add an extra bartender to handle this while your regular bar remains open- $250.

    All beverages served through this method will be charged to your tab.

    Pre-Approval: Vendors for donkeys, etc should provide a Certificate of Insurance with Top Shelf Events, LLC and Sunset Oaks Inc listed as additionally insured. 🔗 Submit it here

    They are responsible for cleaning and animal droppings.

 Menu & Budget FAQs

  • Service starts at $595 PLUS beverage consumption (+ tax).

    You put your card on file to open a tab and allow guests to order drinks all night on your dime. We will pre-arrange “check points” with your decision maker as the tab grows (i.e. every hour or every $500 spent)

    Drinks start at $3 ea, and the average guests drinks 3-5 drinks each (some more, some less, this is an average from hosting hundreds of weddings).

    Total alcohol spend will depend on the categories you host AND how heavily your crowd drinks.

    Examples:

    Domestic beer & house wine for 50 guests ± $600. (that’s less than the cost of 1-2 beers per person at a restaurant!)

    Full beer + wine + Signature & Craft Cocktails for 150 guests: $2500+ (that’s still merely the cost of TWO margaritas at Chilis per person.)

    Note: 18% gratuity will be added at the end of the night.

  • On a tighter budget?

    Opt for a pre-paid tab ($500 minimum), then swap to a cash bar.

    Your guests can continue to by swiping per drink and/or opening their own tab.

    *BUDGET TIP: when you choose which categories to host, stick to the budget friendly options like domestics & house liquors.

    Total budget $595 + $500

  • A smart bar menu will be your BEST budget tool.

    1. Opt for the partially hosted bar then swap to cash bar.

    2. Only host domestics + house liquors categories for max variety yet minimum spend.

    NOTE: Your tab goes a lot further with $3-$4 drinks than $7+ menu items.

  • You choose what’s available for guests to order on your tab.

    The beers, wines, and basic cocktails will always be stocked, therefore you choose an entire category based on the price point you’re comfortable with.

    Within basic cocktails, you’ll choose the tier of liquor you want to serve (house, call, premium). The tier would apply to any basic cocktail ordered.

    i.e.- if you choose “call,” any vodka soda would be made with Titos, and any whiskey coke would be made with Jack.

    Why choose categories? This allows maximum variety but it’s how you PREVENT guests for charging more expensive drinks to your tab.

  • Signature & Craft cocktails are optional. Each cocktail has a custom recipe with ingredients we only stock if you choose to host it.

    Therefore you’ll pick up to 4 TOTAL recipes.

  • Among all the beers, wines, and basic cocktails available, there are HUNDREDS of combos available, so offering a couple signature or craft drinks is really just a cherry on top of an already amazing variety!

    Each Signature & Craft recipe contains ingredients & garnishes we custom order for your event.

    However, it’s your bar! If you choose to host more than 4 signature or craft recipes, the bar service fee will increase by $100 per additional recipe.

  • Yes- these can be charged to your tab.

    Sodas & Juice are $1 ea.

    Custom mocktails are available, starting at $3 ea.

  • Staffing, Ingredients, and Supplies require ample planning and ordering, therefore we cannot accept menu changes less than 45 days prior to the event.

  • The cocktail menu features TONS of fan faves that are perfect for drink-in-hand-dance-the-night-aways weddings.

    Custom cocktails may be available, and will start around $8 per drink.

    Options we do NOT offer:

    • Martinis (honestly, these just don’t work at weddings)

    • Shots of any kind

  • The in-stock offerings were all chosen from bartending hundreds of weddings and are by far the most popular!

    A simple menu with domestic beer, house wine, and basic cocktails alone offers over 30 drink varieties- so don’t fear a lack of options!

    We do understand you may have a favorite beer, and we are happy to custom order a case for the DRESSING ROOM (it’s pre-paid in advance), but we can’t stock it in large quantities for the main bar due to the inability to use the unsold leftovers in the future.

    NOT AVAILABLE:

    • Specific brands of liquor or wine not on the menu (due to inability to use the leftovers).

    • Alcohol we can’t purchase through our distributor i.e. your friend home brews beer or owns a winery. (there are laws preventing this)

Ready to plan your menu?

Read the FAQs and have more questions? email info@topshelfeventsetx.com

Photo by Anastasia Lyn Photography

We’re ready to make decisions!

One complimentary bar consultation is available per event to answer questions & help you finalize your choices!