My wedding is coming up in early September and since most of our friends like to have a good time and drink we have decided that in addition to beer we would like to set up a bar. I have 3 bartenders working it so that ppl aren't taking upon themselves to get drinks and this way we are able to cut off those that have had way to much. My questions is what is the protocol for alcohol at a wedding as far as charging. Do we have an open bar or do we charge $1 a drink.
Any info would be helpful..
2007-03-13 02:33:42 · 17 answers · asked by jamitha99 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
why not just serve soda an a few pitchers of wine an beer dont let people get sloshed on your wedding day people that go out an get drunk on others tab is tacky an gross an how good will you sleep knowing 20 30 people will be driving drunk home an possably getting a dui or killing themselves or others
2007-03-13 03:17:57 · answer #1 · answered by rodeogirl 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The protocol varies. Some weddings have an open bar; some have a cash bar; and some have a blend, with an open bar for soft drinks, juice, and water, and a cash bar for alcoholic beverages. Often, if the bar is not open, it is common practice to provide two free drinks to each guest (usually monitored by using drink tickets). I would like to note that, in no case where I attended a wedding with a cash bar did anyone consider it tacky or not classy.
As for what to charge if you opt for a cash bar, I would assume that, since you will have bartenders, you will probably be at some sort of licensed facility. Usually there are set prices for different drinks - the facility should know these, or the bartenders should be able to help. Use the set prices, or, if you want, subsidize the drinks.
2007-03-13 09:51:50 · answer #2 · answered by Geoff L 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I will spare you the comments on how tacky is to have a Charge bar. With that said....
If you charge a dollar, you will actually lose money. To have a decently stocked bar and three bartenders (normally at 50 dollars and hour, per bartender)... you may come short.
You can have an open bar for one hour and have limited stock on hand. Beer, vodka, whisky, wine and mixers. You can do this for about 10-15 dollars per person. After that your guest can have champgne for the toast. That should be enough and you won't have to charge anyone.
Good luck
2007-03-13 09:41:17 · answer #3 · answered by Blunt 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Congrats on your upcoming wedding!
Having a cash bar is not considered appropriate for weddings, sorry. Can you imagine being invited to a dinner party and being asked to pay for your beverage? You would surely think your host to be impolite. This holds true for your wedding where you, or your parents, are the hosts.
Just as you would certainly not offer your guests a chicken dish, telling them they could have the steak if they pay for it, you should only offer your guests what you can afford to pay for yourself. Only serving wine and beer (and/or champagne) is a very nice alternative since most people wishing to have an alcoholic beverage will like either of these. Plus, you have less worry about Uncle Harry getting too drunk to drive or young cousin Sue spoiling your wedding with inappropriate behavior.
You can host a beautiful, tasteful wedding without having an open bar. Many couples today are choosing this option.
2007-03-13 10:00:16 · answer #4 · answered by Zelda 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
An open bar is the preferred way of doing things at weddings that are classy. If you want to keep the costs down, have a limited bar - meaning, don't provide too many different liquors and maybe only have a bar from 6-8 - then once 8pm comes, the bar closes down for the night.
2007-03-13 09:37:18 · answer #5 · answered by Rachel 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
We are having beer, probably 5-10 barrels bought by us and then the alcohol will have to be bought by the guests. Only the weddings I have gone to do it this way. That way the venue makes some money and people won't get as sloshed that way. As soon as the beer is done, they will turn to alcohol anyway. My whole reception is made up of 500+ people so I am not footing for the alcohol bill! Don't let anyone tell you it is tacky, because it isn't. You are saving yourself a headache.
2007-03-13 10:09:47 · answer #6 · answered by Peek A Boo 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is generally considered taboo to have a cash bar at a wedding. That said, there are many ways to cut down on costs of alcohol at your wedding such as limiting the types of liquor you have, limiting the hours the bar is open, or simply having beer, wine, and champagne for the toast. Most people can find something they're happy with from those selections.
2007-03-13 09:43:46 · answer #7 · answered by tehuskey513 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
DO NOT charge your guests for their drinks! Would you ever expect to be invited to dinner with someone, and they hand you the bar bill? I should hope not! If you cannot afford a full open bar, beer, wine and soda is perfectly acceptable. Charging your guests is not.
2007-03-13 11:12:39 · answer #8 · answered by melouofs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All depends on what you want to spend on the open bar. I have been to weddings with both - never was a problem.
Have seen people get out of hand at open bars though.
If you want to spend the money on an open bar - go for it. If you have decent friends and family have an open bar for an hour or two - they will not mind paying after that.
2007-03-13 09:38:06 · answer #9 · answered by T F 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Charging for drinks is tacky..... who brings money to a wedding anyways??!! You bring money to a bar not to a party. Don't charge!!
2007-03-13 16:41:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋