Opinions please - ok or tacky?

[amylock]

So, we are leaning towards a private event for a reception lunch at the Attic. It would start at approximately 11:00 am. I think the bar package would be a waste, as my dad and my fiancee's parents don't really drink at all (other than my ffil drinks beer). I'd like a bill on consumption thing maybe - and/OR a couple of bottles of wine/champagne for each table. Given that it is so early in the day, I just can't see people wanting hard liquor (I am a vodka drinker and even I can't see drinking a vodka/soda that early at my own reception!)

Any experience with bottles at the table? Is it tacky to do it that way?

 

[NicknNancy]

I say just stick to a BOC bar. Like you said, not a lot of your guests drink and I think, if you have the bottles on the table, your guests will drink them just because they are there. If people want to drink let them go to the bar and order a drink, don't just hand it to them. You will save money that way and people won't feel like they have to drink.

 

[MrsDuck]

I think either option is good. I think I agree with Nancy's thought process on the BOC bar but I would hate for there to be any "surprises" which makes me lean more towards the bottles on the table.

I'm no help..

 

[lurkyloo]

I say just stick to a BOC bar. Like you said, not a lot of your guests drink and I think, if you have the bottles on the table, your guests will drink them just because they are there. If people want to drink let them go to the bar and order a drink, don't just hand it to them. You will save money that way and people won't feel like they have to drink.

What she said!

Usually the only surprise with BOC is how much money you get back after the wedding. DFTW has a formula that they use to charge you for what they think guests will drink up front. Then you get a refund or a bill depending on what they actually drank. In most cases, guests drink less than DFTW's super-generous estimate and you get money back. The only surprise might be if you're unaware of the $100 bartender fee for bars that sell less than $500 in drinks.

Alternatively, I think it would be perfectly acceptable to have no alcohol at all for your brunch reception. Or just have mimosas or a Champagne toast or one signature cocktail. As you've said, people don't usually expect to drink a lot at that hour of the day.

 

[BethieTink]

Our reception is at 10am and we are trying to think of what to do as well. Almost everyone coming to our event drinks and usually alot, but hoping that the morning slows them down a bit.

We have decided to do brunchy kind of drinks and limit it to those. We are going to have Mimosas, Bellinis, Screwdrivers and Bloody Marys. W will also have tonic available for vodka tonics. My sister in law only drinks Grand Marnier, and since I love her, I will have that too.

I don't think I would do wine on the tables. Make everyone get up and get a drink. I also think that BOC is the way to go.

Hope that helps.

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

Our reception is at 10am and we are trying to think of what to do as well. Almost everyone coming to our event drinks and usually alot, but hoping that the morning slows them down a bit.

We have decided to do brunchy kind of drinks and limit it to those. We are going to have Mimosas, Bellinis, Screwdrivers and Bloody Marys. W will also have tonic available for vodka tonics. My sister in law only drinks Grand Marnier, and since I love her, I will have that too.

I don't think I would do wine on the tables. Make everyone get up and get a drink. I also think that BOC is the way to go.

Hope that helps.

Bethie, I still really want to come to your VR!!! Those are all of my favorite drinks!

Anywho, I'm not serving any alcohol at my Attic brunch reception. (Granted, it's more for personal reasons than cost reasons, but still.) We're not even doing soda because I didn't want to deal with a BOC; we're having iced tea, lemonade, and the included juices. I think that's fine too!

 

[amylock]

Thank you for your responses! I didn't realize that others planning their weddings were struggling with the same thing!

I think BOC may be the way to go based on what everyone has said. If there is wine on the table, people may feel the "need" to drink. Plus, if people have to get up and get a drink, you'd think they would be less likely to make 8 trips to the bar...

That being said, a friend who recently got married had a hosted bar. At the end of the night when the bar was about to be shut down, a "friend" rushed to the bar and got 2 glasses of wine!!!!!!!! Talk about TACKY!!!

 

[princesswendy720]

Thank you for your responses! I didn't realize that others planning their weddings were struggling with the same thing!

I think BOC may be the way to go based on what everyone has said. If there is wine on the table, people may feel the "need" to drink. Plus, if people have to get up and get a drink, you'd think they would be less likely to make 8 trips to the bar...

That being said, a friend who recently got married had a hosted bar. At the end of the night when the bar was about to be shut down, a "friend" rushed to the bar and got 2 glasses of wine!!!!!!!! Talk about TACKY!!!

I've been to weddings with all our friends and families and they are totally the type to get multiple drinks per trip just because they see it as "free." I'm not doing BOC because, to them, it will look like an open bar and they'll think its unlimited alcohol. Glasses that are still half full will be left everywhere.

With that being said, we're having an evening reception and I think you're totally fine with doing BOC and, if you choose, only having a beer and wine available. We are doing beer and wine only at our rehearsal dinner. You know your friends and families best and you have total control over how much or little you choose to offer.

 

[Jilian]

I'd go with BOC too and I agree that it will probably end up saving you money.

 

[amylock]

Thank you all! I spoke with my fiancee' last night and he agreed. But he wants to see if we can eliminate the hard liquor and just have wine and beer (and soft drinks) BOC. Given that it is a lunch that starts at 11:00, hard alcohol just isn't appropriate.