I have to provide a "roped off area" for the bar...suggestions?

Sorry I'm no help with how to do this cost effectively. I am just baffled that they are asking YOU to do that! Do they regularly do weddings? Then why do they not have something like that that they have invested in.

What is the theme/style of your wedding??

I was just as baffled as you are. The catering company just recently added a bartender to their package. Before I think they were hiring them from a third party. I can understand them not having a portable bar - most independent bartenders do not even have a portable bar but a rope and stanchion set? I am looking online right now to find a solution.

That's weird. How about making three paint buckets of cement (yes, you can dye it) with shepherd's hooks and hang your banner from them?

The theme is elegant woodland. The tables will have willow or sage green linens, gold chargers and a birch wood vases with autumn flowers and twigs.

Maybe you can look into renting the velvet rope & poles? If that is still pricey I would make stands out of wood and then use the rope pennants that you mentioned. You could always stain or paint the wood if you're not going for a rustic theme.

Two folding chairs with bunting for an outdoorsy/rustic theme?

Two tall sturdy vases with twigs/feathers/etc in them and some battery powered fairy lights strung between them?

Some nice low willow pillars or floor ornaments with a drape of material between them sorta thing?

Hmm. I like Celia's idea of using buckets (we have to prop up a signs at our wedding and are using buckets filled with sand & wrapped with burlap). You could also use potted plants and put the shepherd's hooks in the soil. You could drape a natural-looking fabric from the shepherd's hooks to form your walkway.

I feel like the standard velvet ropes don't fit your theme that well, so maybe something DIY would work out better and cheaper.

Maybe some tall silk potted plants as stanchions and ivy or some greenery as roping?

Found free-standing 30" tall shepherds hooks on SaveOnCrafts.com http://www.save-on-crafts.com/ironstand.html pack of 6 for $54. Drape with a faux ivy chain and done!

6 foot long faux ivy chain, $6 http://www.amazon.com/Generic-Artificial-Garland-Wedding-Supplies/dp/B00MTJ6I9C

Or, if you want it taller or more rustic, buy terracotta pots, fill them with dirt and/or stones, put some green reindeer moss on top, stick shepherds hooks in them, and drape a the ivy chain or thick jute rope across them

12" pots = $7 from Home Depot http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-12-1-4-in-Terra-Cotta-Pot-01310SZ/202967425

48" tall shepherds hooks, 4 for $48, http://www.save-on-crafts.com/shepherdshook2.html

Reindeer moss, $11/bag, light green, bright green, dk green, etc. http://www.save-on-crafts.com/reindeermoss6.html

Jute rope, home depot or online, priced ~$.50-1.00/foot) http://www.knotandrope.com/Store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=3

Weird that you have to do that, BUT it will probably be good for the guests...one of the complaints ever year at our office parties is that people mob the bars, and no one knows where the line starts... maybe that's why they're telling you you need it.

Potted plants with shepherds hooks would work. There is not going to be a whole lot of space for this set up at all and I did not anticipate needing to provide such a thing. The caterer said if it is only about hip high that would be sufficient.

@Rebecca: Those free standing hooks might be exactly what I need - they do have them in white .

That is such an odd requirement for you to have to do. Good luck finding something that works!