Bar open during dinner???

[jamie0201]

Hey guys...

I need some good help and advice. If you dont already know, we are having a custom wedding 100-150 people.

Originally our plan was to close the bar during dinner... so it would be a four hour bar, not five. When I received my estimate back from my EM, she quoted me for 5 hours. When we spoke last week, I mentioned again to her that our plan was to close the bar during dinner (we spoke about that during our planning session in July too). She insisted that we dont close it, b/c people will not be happy.... Anyways, I went to a wedding last night, and the bar was closed for dinner, and noone said anything about it. Everyone seemed fine with it, and thought it was normal.

If we do close the bar during dinner, it will save us between $600-$1000 depending on how many people we end up having... and we can use that money towards something else.

What do you guys think?? Do you think it is wrong for me to close the bar, or should I close it and not worry about it??

PLEASE HELP!!!

Thanks guys.... You all are great for good advice
Jamie

 

[grover]

I say go for it--people will be eating-personally I would not care-and like you said it didn't bother anyone at the wedding you wen to. In fact up here in my parts many people have a cash bar--GASP!!! Yep-folks pay for there own drinks!
Almost everyone coming to my wedding were a bit suprised-pleasantly-that we were footing the bill!
Grover in Winnipeg

 

[jamie0201]

Thank you!!

I was just worried b/c my EM is SOO SOO against it!!

Thanks
Jamie


Anyone else??

 

[jamie0201]

Does anyone else have an opinion on this??

 

[vacationwoman]

At almost every wedding I have been to in the last 40 years the bar has been closed during dinner.

Be it a buffet or sit down, it makes for less congestion when people are not wandering around carrying drinks back and forth.

 

[annette_tr9]

my EM has recommended that we DO close the bar for an hour at dinner. People will just have to stock up on their drinks before they start eating!!!

 

[jamie0201]

thank you

 

[bubbaloo311]

I think this is very regional thing. I have never been to a wedding that closed the bar during dinner or had a cash bar. We had an open bar with beer, wine and liquor for the full 5 hours and couldn't really think of doing it any other way.

I might close the bar after dinner at the end of the wedding and do a last call. I think during dinner people might want to refill their drinks. But if you close it the last hour once cake and coffee have been served, that makes a bit more sense to me.

But you need to do what you're comfortable with. Good luck.

 

[hmgolden]

We closed the bar for the last half our of our reception. It worked out well because we ended up having to leave for Illuminations a little early, and during the last moments of our reception EVERYONE was up dancing, and no one noticed the bar had been closed. It also saved us a bit of money.

The other option would be to do a bill on consumption bar. Depending on how big the drinkers on your guest list are, a bill on consumption bar would most likely save you money. I am sure we would have saved a little money by doing a bill on consumption bar rather then the package, but my parents decided it was better to pay more upfront then to get hit with a bill they weren't expecting! And with a bill on consumption bar you wouldn't have to worry about closing the bar during dinner. The people who want refills would be able to get them and you won't be charged for the others who are too busy eating to be drinking.

Just a thought.

 

[marn913]

Have your EM price it out as "bill on consumption" rather than a package -- you will probably be shocked at the difference. Paid about $550 for our bar costs, and there were a lot of drinks served (we had open premium bar for our entire cocktail hour and reception) and we only had 30 guests. The cost of the preimum open bar for 5 hours would have been about $40/guest regardless of what they actually drank (water/pop or alcohol!!) and would have run at least $1200! We actually ended up getting a refund because we budgeted more than was actually consumed. We had about 30 guests and estimated 4 drinks/person at $5 per drink and pre-paid that amount. FTW will refund any money you overpay and will deduct any costs over your budget from your initial deposit. They don't readily "offer" the bill on consumption option, but it really makes more sense and gives you the same bar as the overpriced "package" bar options that they try to get you to buy.

-Marne
06-16-03

 

[jamie0201]

Thanks guys!!! Its nice to get different opinions. Not sure exactly what we are going to do yet, but atleast now i know i have other options and ideas!!

Thanks Alot!!!
Jamie