S'mores Bar at Weddings: Fire Pits, DIY Stations, and the Ultimate Outdoor Dessert Experience

TLDR: A s'mores bar combines fire, chocolate, marshmallows, and nostalgia into one of the most interactive and memorable dessert experiences you can offer at an outdoor wedding. Guests roast their own marshmallows around a fire pit, assemble their s'mores, and create a communal, campfire-cozy moment that no other dessert delivers. ThePerfectWedding.com's event experts cover fire pit options, safety requirements, ingredient upgrades beyond basic graham crackers, and the logistics that make a s'mores station safe, functional, and magical.

Key Facts at a Glance

• S'mores bar cost: $2 to $5 per guest for ingredients and supplies (Source: The Knot, 2025)
• Fire pit rental: $100 to $400 for propane fire pit or fire bowl for the evening (Source: WeddingWire)
• S'mores bars work best as a late-evening dessert addition after dinner and cake, not as the primary dessert (Source: Brides.com)
• Fire permits may be required depending on your venue and local regulations (Source: Zola)
• See our outdoor permits guide and outdoor lighting guide for related planning

Fire Options

Propane fire pit (recommended for weddings)

The safest and most controllable option for an event setting.

• How it works: a portable propane fire pit or fire table produces a controlled, adjustable flame with no sparks, no smoke, and an instant on/off switch
• Cost: $100 to $400 rental for the evening, including propane
• Pros: no sparks (safe near dresses and decor), no smoke (no complaints from guests or neighbors), adjustable flame height, instant start and stop, most venues and fire marshals approve propane pits
• Cons: flame is not hot enough for traditional roasting (marshmallows take 3 to 5 minutes instead of 1 to 2). Some purists feel propane lacks the authentic campfire experience
• Best for: most wedding venues, especially those with fire restrictions

Wood-burning fire pit

• The authentic experience: real wood fire, real smoke, real crackle. Marshmallows roast quickly and develop the characteristic char that s'mores lovers crave
• Cost: $50 to $200 for a portable fire pit or venue-provided pit, plus firewood ($20 to $50)
• Pros: authentic campfire experience, faster roasting, romantic ambiance
• Cons: sparks (fire hazard near fabric, dresses, dry grass), smoke (bothers some guests, blows in unpredictable directions), requires more supervision, many venues prohibit open wood fires, fire permits almost always required
• Best for: private property weddings, barn or farm venues with existing fire pit areas and no fire restrictions

Tabletop s'mores burners

• Small, individual or shared burners placed on tables (Sterno cans, tabletop ethanol burners, or mini propane burners)
• Cost: $5 to $15 per burner, 1 per table or 1 per 4 to 6 guests
• Pros: every guest can roast from their seat, no standing in line, intimate and social (table conversation continues while roasting)
• Cons: small flame (slow roasting), Sterno produces chemical fumes not ideal near food (use gel fuel rated as food-safe), fire safety with multiple open flames across many tables
• Best for: intimate weddings under 50 guests, or as a supplement to a main fire pit station

The Ingredients Station

Classic setup

The basic s'mores ingredients that every station needs:

• Graham crackers: standard honey grahams, broken into squares. Budget: 2 crackers (1 s'more) per guest minimum, order 50% extra for seconds
• Marshmallows: jumbo size for easier roasting. 2 per guest minimum. Provide long roasting sticks or skewers (see safety section below)
• Chocolate: Hershey's milk chocolate bars broken into rectangles is traditional. 1 to 2 rectangles per s'more

Elevated upgrades

Turn basic s'mores into a gourmet experience with premium upgrades:

Chocolate upgrades:

• Dark chocolate (70% cacao)
• White chocolate
• Peanut butter cups (replace chocolate bar with a Reese's)
• Nutella (in a warming pot with a spreading knife)
• Artisan chocolate bars (salted caramel, sea salt dark, raspberry)

Graham cracker alternatives:

• Chocolate graham crackers
• Cinnamon sugar crackers
• Shortbread cookies
• Waffle cone pieces
• Gluten-free crackers for GF guests

Marshmallow varieties:

• Flavored marshmallows (vanilla bean, strawberry, toasted coconut)
• Gourmet square marshmallows (more artisan look)
• Vegan marshmallows (gelatin-free, available from specialty brands)

Extra toppings:

• Sliced bananas or strawberries
• Caramel sauce (in a squeeze bottle)
• Sprinkles in wedding colors
• Crushed cookies or candy bar pieces
• Sea salt flakes

Safety and Logistics

Fire safety essentials

• Fire extinguisher: at least one, within 10 feet of the fire pit, visible and accessible. Non-negotiable
• Clear perimeter: mark a 5-foot clear zone around the fire pit where no fabric (tablecloths, dresses, decorations) is present
• Supervision: assign one person (staff member, coordinator, or a responsible guest) to monitor the fire pit throughout the s'mores service period. This person ensures guests use the equipment safely, prevents children from getting too close, and manages the fire
• Fire permits: check whether your venue and municipality require a fire permit for open flame at an outdoor event. Apply 30 to 60 days in advance
• Ground protection: place the fire pit on a fireproof mat or metal plate to protect grass, decking, or flooring underneath. Heat damage to a venue's lawn or deck creates a liability you do not want

Roasting equipment

• Roasting sticks: 24 to 36 inch metal skewers with wooden handles ($1 to $3 each) or bamboo skewers (disposable, $0.10 each). Metal is safer (does not catch fire) and more reusable. Bamboo is cheaper but burns if left in the flame. Provide 1 per guest at minimum, ideally 1.5x (guests misplace them)
• Serving area: a table adjacent to the fire pit with all ingredients organized, plates, napkins, and a trash bin. Guests should be able to grab their ingredients, walk to the fire, roast, and return to the table to assemble without backtracking
• Wet wipes or hand-cleaning station: s'mores are sticky. Provide wet wipes, damp towels, or a hand-washing station near the s'mores area. Guests in formal attire will appreciate not having to walk to a restroom with chocolate on their hands

Timing in the reception

• Best timing: 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM, after dinner, after cake (if applicable), during the late-evening dance and socializing period
• S'mores work as a late-night snack rather than the primary dessert. Guests who have eaten dinner and danced for an hour are ready for a sweet, casual, fireside treat
• Duration: 60 to 90 minutes of active s'mores service. Light the fire 15 minutes before opening the station so it is ready when guests arrive
• Wind down: extinguish the fire 30 minutes before the reception end time to allow for safe cooldown

Expert Tip: "The s'mores bar is not just a dessert. It is an atmosphere creator. When 20 to 30 guests gather around a fire pit on a cool evening, roasting marshmallows and laughing, the energy shifts from 'wedding reception' to 'best night with friends.' I have seen awkward cousins who had not spoken all evening bonding over who charred their marshmallow better. I have seen grandparents teaching grandchildren the art of the perfect roast. The fire creates a gathering point, a conversation starter, and a shared experience that seated dessert service never will. Budget $200 to $600 for a fire pit and ingredients. The memory it creates is worth 10 times that."

Sarah Glasbergen, Founder at ThePerfectWedding.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we have a s'mores bar at an indoor wedding?

Not with an open fire, but tabletop options work. Individual tabletop burners (Sterno, gel fuel, or electric) can be used indoors with proper ventilation and venue approval. Some caterers offer a "deconstructed s'mores" dessert plated with a toasted marshmallow (torched by the kitchen) that brings the flavor indoors without the fire pit. It is not the same communal experience, but it delivers the taste.

Are s'mores appropriate for a formal wedding?

As the sole dessert at a black-tie event, no. As a late-evening addition to a formal wedding, absolutely. After dinner, cake, toasts, and dancing, the s'mores bar signals that the formal portion is over and the relaxed, fun portion has begun. Even at the most elegant weddings, guests shed their formal energy by 9:30 PM. A s'mores station welcomes that transition.

What about guests with food allergies?

Label every ingredient clearly. Graham crackers contain wheat and often dairy. Marshmallows contain gelatin (not vegetarian/vegan). Chocolate may contain milk, soy, and traces of nuts. Provide alternatives:

• Gluten-free graham crackers
• Vegan marshmallows (gelatin-free)
• Dark chocolate (dairy-free varieties available)
• Nut-free labeled options separate from any nut-containing upgrades

How many marshmallows and graham crackers do we need?

Plan for 2 to 3 s'mores per guest (not every guest will participate, but those who do often make 2 to 3):

• 150 guests: 300 to 450 marshmallows (3 to 4 bags of jumbo), 150 to 225 graham cracker squares (4 to 6 boxes), 75 to 113 chocolate bar sections (20 to 30 full-size bars)
• Total ingredient cost: $50 to $100 for basic, $100 to $200 for upgraded/gourmet ingredients

More dessert guides on ThePerfectWedding.com: Dessert table ideas, Donut wall, Cookie bar, Wedding pie, Ice cream bar, Cupcake display, and more. See our late-night snack ideas and wedding cake gallery. Find bakers on our vendor directory.