Package Bar or Hosted Bar?

[fmdelano]

Package Bar or Hosted Bar? What does everyone think? What's usually cheaper? Past brides, what did you do?

 

[RangerPooh]

We purchased the 4 or 5 hour (I believe) package. This allowed our guests the oppertunity to have as many beverages (soda and alcohol) that they wished. The hour cost difference wasn't that different with each package so we opted for the most time. We just reminded our friends and family who do drink to use call brands and to drink to their hearts content so that the price was justified. We difinately got our moneys worth. We also specified in our contract how many underaged guests we had so that we weren't paying the higher price for them. Plus we didn't want to do a cash bar as we've attended weddings with it and felt that it was tacky. We also considered the bartender fee that we would ahve had to pay if we didn't meet the consumption fees. We did the math and figured that for us it would be cheaper to pay the per person fee rather than to pay for each individual drink purchased. HTH.

 

[hmgolden]

We also did a package-4 1/2 hours. We made the decision to pay for the drinks upfront, and not get hit with a bill later. For us, and our guest list it worked. Other girls have had good luck going with a Bill on Consumption bar. You really need to know your guests - and what drinks you want to serve. Some mixed drinks, etc aren't included in the package. Your EM can also help you with the decision. I also think it depends on when your wedding is, guests are more likely to drink during an evening reception than a late morning/afternoon reception.