Open Bar...?

Question

I think an open bar will be too expensive, but I was wondering if maybe we could have a table set up of wine. Has anyone been to a wedding/party where that was done? Is it nice or tacky do you think? Or have open bar until dinner is served. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

What I would do would be to set up a limited open bar. Wine is a must, but also make a few beers available and possibly a signature drink. Like Mark's Margarita's and Carrie's Cosmos. Have those be complimentary. You don't even have to serve anything else.

The way I always look at it is this is a party *you* are throwing. If this was at your home, you wouldn't ask people to pay for their drinks, before, during, or after dinner. Instead, limit their selections and keep it hosted the entire night. : )

Answer 2

I have been to a wedding withs carafes of wine that doubled as well, obviously alcohol, and a centerpiece. They put small candles, rose petals, and the wine on the center of the table. It was simple and elegant.

At my wedding we did not have an open bar. It was a HUGE mistake. I felt as though people were not having as much fun since they were not drinking for free. I wish we would have had an open bar or at least provided some kind of alcohol for free.

I am helping my friend plan her wedding on a budget. She is having a signature drink in a keepsake cup and beer and wine. All other liquor would be on a cash basis. I think its a great idea because it gives her guests something else to remember the wedding by, a unique drink most have not had before.

You can also talk with your reception site. I am not sure if you can bring your own alcohol in or not (My site did not allow this). Buying in bulk from a distributer would help keep costs down as well. If this is not an option talk with the manager at your site. You can normally have an open bar up to a certain monetary amount. Then all other drinks are on a cash basis. This works well because then you aren't completely shocked by the bar bill when everything is said and done and your guests don't have to fork out a ton of money to have a good time.

Answer 3

I had an open bar for the entire wedding. It was what they call a "soft bar" (beer, wine & soda).

I went to another wedding where bottles of wine were put on each table. That was nice, unless you don't drink wine.

I have also been to weddings where it was open bar during the cocktail hour (they set a dollar limit) and then cash bar for the remainder of the wedding.

I think either way works. If people expect to get free booze at your wedding, kind of makes you wonder if that's the only reason they are going. They should be there to celebrate your new life and husband & wife and not to get drunk for free.

Congratulations!!!

Answer 4

I have not seen anyone I know do this, but it sounds like a good idea. What I am doing is offering water, cider, champagne and other soft drink.I am also runnig a tab with the bar. Once they have reached the limit that I set, they will be cut off.Anything else they have to pay. This may sound tacky to some people but I am on a budget and cannot afford an open bar.

Answer 5

I think the answer to this question all depends upon where you are holding the wedding. Many venues have a per person cost that includes food/open bar. The level of open bar can sometimes be determined by the venue, which reflects in the cost. I personally would be shocked to receive a wedding invitation that is byob, unless of course the people hosting the wedding do not drink. I dont think most people would invite guests into their homes for a meal & ask them to bring their own drinks, so why would one do so for a wedding?

Answer 6

I'm a retired Marine: When I was on active duty we didn't make any money. My wedding was byob. What ever you decide, put it in the invitations. Set a limit. Each invited guest will get 1 or maybe 2 free drinks. Or wine will be served with diner. The reception will be byob. As long as they know ahead of time, and it's not a black tie affair: There is no problem doing it however you need to.

Answer 7

I do not understand the insistance that people have that a wedding HAS to have an open bar.

I was trained by my parents, who both grew up during the Depression, that when you are invited to an event like a wedding, a guest understands that the hosts are providing the best food and drink they can given their circumstances, and that a gracious guest would never, under any circumstances, complain about what is provided. Instead a gracious guest is thankful to be asked to help celebrate a joyous occasion, and partakes of what is offered without complaint. And thanks the host, gratefully and from the heart, for having been asked.

I think offering the guests wine and champagne is a thoughtful gesture and should be sufficient. Anyone who cannot help you celebrate the wedding unless they get free drinks out of it ought to get disinvited. And anyone who complains about the food and drink they are served is ungrateful and ungracious and needs a lesson on good manners.

Answer 8

You can stop serving open bar at any time you like. It is common to have open bar for cocktail hour only. Serving wine through dinner is a fine idea. Or, serving only wine and beer for the etire evening is also fine-- you can bypass the stronger alcohol entirely.

The only thing you need to avoid is ANY type of CASH bar or tacky things like drink tickets or tokens-- those are very inappropriate methods of limiting alcohol intake at a PRIVATE event.

Answer 9

For our wedding we provided beer, wine coolers, and soft drinks. Guest had to pay for any mixed drinks they wanted from the bar. We saw it as a compromise to provide some adult beverages while keeping the cost down for us.

Another consideration is that unlimited free drinks opens up a problem with those guests that just don't know when to stop when the booze is free. You don't want your special day ruined by an unruly falling down drunk.

Answer 10

I've been to plenty of weddings where they only serve wine that they've hand selected. You can go to Costco or Sam's club and buy in bulk (but make sure you'll allowed to do this at the reception hall).