Can't afford open bar for whole wedding-is this acceptable instead?*Update on pg 20*

[Disney Doll]

My DS is getting married in June. They are paying for most of the reception costs themselves. Realistically, there is no way they could afford an open bar for the whole wedding. Around here, it is not the norm to offer an open bar for the whole reception, but what do people think of offering either the first hour of the reception as open bar for beer/wine as an alternative? Or maybe putting a ticket or two for a free drink with their table placement cards?

"Cocktail hour open bar
Cash bar thereafter"
Make sure it's somehow on the wedding invitation so people know.

 

[PatsGirl]

I have only been to ONE wedding out of probably 25-30 where there was an open bar. In this neck of the woods it is assumed that everyone pays for their own alcohol unless the reception is an outdoor/backyard affair and then there is usually a self-serve beer and wine bar set up. Like I said, I've been to exactly one reception that had an open bar but I do know that some of the wealthier families do have them, I guess I just don't run in their circles much

I am getting married in seven weeks and the prices for open bar were about $15pp/ph so figure $50/pp roughly for the reception. That is our whole reception budget We are planning to provide a bottle of white and a bottle of red for each table of six and that will be used for our toast and then shared however...all other cocktails are on your own. Our price does include soda, ice tea, and coffee for anyone who chooses non-alcoholic drinks.

 

[Aliceacc]

Around here, every single wedding I've ever been to has had a cocktail hour followed by a 4 hour reception, with an open bar for all 5 hours.

No, wait. There was one about 10 years ago that had no liquour. Both the bride and groom were members of AA.

Every other wedding-- including another AA wedding I went to-- had 5 hours of an open bar. (No, there was no champagne toast.)

It's absolutely a regional thing. There's no one "right way."

 

[msjprincess]

I don't understand why you need alcohol at all. I have been to several weddings lately where it wasn't even on the premises. All the weddings were lots of fun, good company, good dancing, good food.....no need for a bar.

Who said anything about "need"? There plenty of things you don't "need" at a wedding.

Why not serve bologna sandwiches and tap water? No one "needs" good food.

 

[FayeW]

It's BOUQUET.

Maybe she should ask Sheridan for his opinion. Or Onslow.

 

[Allison]

Maybe Hyacinth Bucket can answer this...

Ha

 

[krcit]

Why is beer demonized as low class? I like beer (even at a wedding)

I even drank beer at my own wedding

 

[Jaya]

Considering that right now approximately 50% of marriages end in divorce, I'd say that the bride and groom could be best served by cutting down on the reception/liquor costs and invest instead in pre-marital counseling, hmm?

 

[christineann]

I guess I'm low class, too, then My son and his bride had a formal wedding and reception, and I drank beer at the reception (as did others, I'm sure, but I really wasn't paying attention). I had on a floor length gown, which went quite well with my camo koozie.

Actually, the bartender poured the beer into a nice wine glass for me

If you don't want alcohol at your reception or don't wish to pay for it, then don't have it. No big deal! No one says that receptions must include alcohol.

 

[TinkerBelled]

I know, it is quite hysterical isn't it? All these people require alcohol at weddings. And beer? really? Sorry but that is for a back yard bbq or football games. Not classy occasions like weddings.

The beer market is actually far more interesting and sophisticated than you describe it. The microbrew and craft beer expansion over the past fifteen years means you can get perfectly 'classy' beers pretty much anywhere in the country.

Also, alcohol isn't required, but it's been an integral part of celebrations for thousands of years, and as such, it might be expected...or even just plain desired.

 

[Planogirl]

Beer is low class? Since when? I guess that I'm low class then.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

As with most on this thread, I have been to many weddings, but unlike many, I have not seen it always done the same way in the same region. I've been to weddings in Boston and New York with fully hosted bars, hosted wine and beer only, wine at dinner only (bottles on the table) and entirely cash bars. I've even been to one wedding in Boston that had no alcohol at all (and no discernible reason for its omission). I've been to weddings on the west coast with cash bars, hosted bars, and a blend (the one hour thing seems quite common). The only thing I've never seen personally is actual drink tickets, which might make me chuckle and think back to my college days but otherwise wouldn't register as an issue with me.

When we were younger and some friends' budgets were tighter, less extravagant bars were more common. Now that I'm older and my few remaining unmarried friends get married, they have larger budgets and more upscale bar options are prevalent.

OP, you should do whatever works best for you and your family. That's what really matters.

 

[Lady V]

I think it is fully acceptable to have NO alcohol at all served.

 

[mjantz]

The beer market is actually far more interesting and sophisticated than you describe it. The microbrew and craft beer expansion over the past fifteen years means you can get perfectly 'classy' beers pretty much anywhere in the country.
.

Yep. I'm not a drinker but if I were going to cater an event with alcohol I'd want to include a microbrew & hopefully a local one. I would go with less expensive wines before I took away a craft beer.

 

[okeydokey]

I don't understand why you need alcohol at all. I have been to several weddings lately where it wasn't even on the premises. All the weddings were lots of fun, good company, good dancing, good food.....no need for a bar.

You don't need alcohol. You don't need cake or centerpieces or flowers either. All these things make for a nice evening though.

 

[okeydokey]

See, there it is again., YOu would cut back on other things so your guests can booze it up? I just don't get that. YOu hopefully only get married once and why should the bride or groom give up anything to Provide alcohol for their guests. This to me, just goes to show how many people seem to feel entitled to booze during a wedding. It just rubs me the wrong way. NO way would I give up on a dress or flowers or photos or limos, that I wanted in order to pay for someones else's booze fest. Then again, I would never ask guests to pay for it either. I would just do without, or do wine only. I think beer at a wedding is beyond tacky. JMHO. I would never allow it.

You kept me guessing for a while, but now I know you must be joking. Nobody could be actually be that pretentious.

 

[bearloch]

at my wedding we had beer and wine only! we were allowed to bring are own in and we hired a bartender we bought what we felt was enough! and took the extra home!! We had bud and Bud light, and 2 wines! also soft drinks and we were concerned at first the we were gonna run out but really most folks had 1-2 tops we ended up with a lot of leftovers!! ( which was nice for a new couple and entertaining!!) at my Brothers they had a open bar and I know the bill was staggering!! my BIL went are way and also had leftovers! and no drunks!

 

[mefordis]

At the very LEAST I would provide beer and wine throughout the evening, along with champagne (or to save $$ sparkling wine) for a toast.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

One thing about alcohol is that, in my situation & other family weddings, there are people who would NOT show up if alcohol was being served at the reception. So, given a choice between alcohol & my kids grandparents, I'm going with the grandparents.

Exactly how I and most of my family feel about it. My folks (including my dad, the minister) will show up at a wedding if alcohol is being served, but others in my family wouldn't. And we love them more than serving alcohol.

 

[Cantw8]

You kept me guessing for a while, but now I know you must be joking. Nobody could be actually be that pretentious.

yes she can