Wine on tables

At our wedding which sounds similar to yours we just did a welcome drink. We had 100 adults but knew about 20 were driving or didn’t drink so we just had 40 glasses of Buck’s Fizz put out and 40 bottles of Budweiser xxx

We are doing a bring your own bottle so buying ur own drink is definitely acceptable lol xx

If you did do tokens you can specify to the bar what that entitles the person to. E.g one beer or one mixes. My friend did that and it was fine

I wouldn't mind having to buy my own as you get what you like then rather than something you wouldn't normally drink x

We didn't have wine on the table at ours, and the venue's wedding planner actually recommended that we leave it off as so much of it goes to waste at the end of the night!
All of the day guests had a welcome drink and prosecco for toast, but that's it xx

We are doing a drinks token instead of wine on tables and the venue has agreed a set price for the number of tokens, maybe speak to them about that xx

We only had a small wedding but neither of us saw the point in putting wine on the tables when very few of our friends actually drunk it. Instead we put a set amount behind the bar and created a drinks list-certain beers, wines, spirits etc and once it had gone it had gone and people could by their own drinks afterwards. To be fair it lasted for ages and only the very hardcore had to buy a drink at the end of the night. Worked really well for us x

At our venue you can specify what the drink token can be used for , maybe worth an ask if thats something you want, we went to a close friends wedding last year and they didnt provide any drinks some people had a bit of a moan but it definietly didnt ruin the day and everyone had an amazing time 😊 xx

We aren't having wine on the tables for the meal but will go down the token route. We will just assign a 'up to' value so people don't order ridiculously expensive drinks.

Were not having wine on our table for the same reason that majority do not drink wine. You're providing people with a welcome drink so if they want a drink with their meal then they will get one. It's what were doing x

We are doing exactly the same thing, we're paying for a toast of champagne and during arrival an then the bar will be open as soon as guests arrive to get them self a drink if they'd like one

Your wedding..... your rules! Guests will understand. Dont be dreading your big day at all. Those who mind, dont matter and those that matter, wont mind!

We only had prosecco on the tables for toasting with and a welcome drink per person. If you wanted to do a free drink token why not limit it to 1x Beer, wine or soft drink per person that way you limit the final bill xx

We did both (wine came on tables with package deal) and I think 4.5 bottles of wine out of 22 were touched and everyone loved the bar where they could buy their own drinks x

Our venue just billed us for what bottles were open, so rather than having it on the tables, walked around with a bottle and offered it to guests, could maybe see if that was an option at your venue xx

I would be sad if there wasn’t any wine at my table but that’s just because I like wine and I certainly wouldn’t expect it! I would be more than happy to buy my own bottle - weddings are already expensive so no need to spend more! 🙂

We don't like wine so the venue are swapping this for us to ciders for the tables who aren't wine drinkers. We've been to a friends wedding too who had buckets of beer. Maybe check out the cost of those as an option? Or specify what free drink they can have? X

You can get bars that you literally pay a deposit for to save the booking and then they make all their money on the night with people buying drinks.. That's what I would do.. My whole family and my partners dri k a lot and I'm not footing the bill for that lol xx

I didn’t offer anything. Truthfully didn’t even think about it to be fair and no one has said anything xx

We are only doing drinks for the toast. OH and I don't drink much at all ourselves and most of our guests don't drink wine so it would go to waste. Our guests will be well fed and that's what's important to us.

Wouldn't worry about it not everyone likes wine and if people want a drink they can buy one x you could always just do a little glass of something on arrival like a small glass of prosecco but you don't have to do anything. People are there for you not the booze x

Wine was provided but it wasn't drunk? What is this strange phenomenon!

Seriously though, i wouldn't mind at all if this was the case for a wedding we were going to. If i wanted a drink I'd buy myself one.

But, we're providing wine at ours.

we did exactly what u are doing late wedding then a hog roast we didn't have wine on the table . We just had drinks on arrival x

We didn’t put wine out and it wasn’t missed. We provided a welcome drink and a toast which folks were happy with. We also had tea and coffee out as it was and afternoon tea but plenty of folks used the bar as well.

That is perfectly acceptable.
The drinks token is a great ideas - just inform the venue that you only want these to be used for either small wines, beer, or single spirits so there shouldn't be any expensive drinks x

What about bringing your own and paying corkage? I've been advised to start stocking up when there are deals etc on in supermarkets. I think that might work out a bit cheaper than buying the drinks from the venue?

We had cider on the tables and a sparkling cider for the toast (October barn wedding), after that everyone bought their own drinks from the bar, no-one had any issues with that. We also had a sparkling apple and elderflower cordial for the kids so they felt like they were included and having the same as the grown ups.

Sounds like my wedding...bbq & guests bought their own drink...didnt get any complaints (that I know of 🤣)

We didn't at my cousin's wedding. Most people went to get drinks from the bar. Those of us with less to spend drank the free water. Just make sure there's enough water throughout the meal as we kept going dry! I'm personally making sure there's two glasses of wine or half a bottle per person for mine. Have a look at buying your own from Naked Wines where you can buy in bulk for less. Or get the less than £10 bottles from Asda. Alternatively, if you're doing the drinks voucher have pre-set terms with the venue of what they can or cannot serve and print it on the voucher (if physical).

We had prosecco and fizzy soft drink in the Cathedral with cake for everyone (350 people). Then the meal was afternoon tea for 150 where we didn't provide wine on the tables, there was a bar if people wanted to get alcoholic drinks. We toasted with tea. There was lots of children at out wedding.

We didnt do wine on the tables and nobody had an issue with it to my knowledge. A lot of people dont drink it and i didnt really want it to go to waste.

Most of the weddings I’ve been to have been a cash bar. Drinks were provided for the speeches but that’s literally half a glass of Prosecco each. Wouldn’t bother me at all and I kind of expect it tbh xxx

Why do you do a free drink token. But limit to drinks available.. bottle beer? cider?

We are just having a drinks reception (prosecco and beer) on arrival for the day guests and little snacks (no formal sit down meal) and no wine on the table.
Like you said it all adds up and can become quite costly.
For anything after that and evening guests there is the bar for everyone which ranges in the usual stuff as well as a cocktail bar

A few weddings I've been to have only provided what you have and I thought nothing of it. Weddings are already expensive enough I'm sure people wont mind not having wine on the tables, you could do the free token drink but just keep it to beer, wine or soft drink.

I wouldn’t miss it ☺️ especially if getting a welcome drink and a toast drink x

I think as long as u let people know it should be fine?

We're having drinks vouchers. We've been charged by the venue a flat rate of £4 per voucher, and this works out significantly cheaper than wine on the tables. We chose not to have wine because not everyone drinks wine, and we have a few tee totalers coming so we wanted everyone to be able to have a drink of their choice.

I'm not doing wine on the tables. My guests are having a welcome drink and wine for the toast. They can buy their own after that lol

We didn't give out any drinks! No wine, no bubbles for speeches. We provided a buffet meal, and that was it. We just couldn't afford it, and didn't want to start our married life off in debt for drinks and food on other people! Everyone still had a good time! And no one said anything of they thought it was odd.

Why not have jugs of pimms instead

We are doing a one free drink token at ours. We have a year and a half before we get married and I'm putting £5 a week aside for this. Xx

Can you BYO and the company charge corkage ?

Every wedding I've been to in the last five years or so have had a welcome drink (prosecco or cava) then everyone bought their own after that. My daughter had loads of full bottles left over and was left with two bottles that had been opened that she used for cooking with. With hindsight, it was a waste of money that she could have spent better elsewhere.

Every wedding i have been to was a cash bar. There was a glass of wine with every meal but a lot of people don't drink wine so i noticed it was wasted.
For one wedding we had 2 free drink tokens as the favour but we were only allowed to choose from 4 cocktails on a menu - this way the bride & groom didn't have to fork out for anyone being cheeky and ordering expensive spirits 😊

It's normal for people to buy their own drinks?Most venues offer a drink package which is usually a welcome drink,1/2 glasses with the meal and a glass for the toast. That's all that is expected. You can do drink tokens and ask for the bar to be limited to beer/wine,soft drinks and the house spirits. It wouldn't even cross my mind that a bar would be open or wine on the table

Do you know what i think? that it is your special day, and you and your partner that they are coming to witness and be part of your day.
No one should expect free drinks except the toast to you becoming such a special couple. Weddings cost enough, and the guests should just be honoured that you wanted them to share your special union. Have a wonderful day, and the only people you should think about on this day is yourselves.xx

Do your free drink token but have a limit set with the venue of what that could be. ie a option of a beer a cider or a house wine. X

I’m not having wine on the tables. At out venue a bottle of wine for the table is £18. There would have to be at least 3 bottles per a table and the total extra would be around £300. It’s not something I can afford and it’s not something that is important in my eyes. If the guests want to drink with their meal we will have a bar there but I don’t have the extra money to waste on wine x

My husband and I (as well as a sizeable bunch of our friends and family) don’t drink at all. We had non-alcoholic alternatives (shloer, etc) on the tables, which might be an option for you especially regarding the kids. But I have also been to weddings where you order your drink at the bar. If you already have welcome drinks, let the guests buy additional alcohol at the bar! How could they possibly be offended by that?

There should be a bar so I wouldn’t worry with wine. It’s so much money. Maybe do tokens or put some money behind the bar. But if I was attending a wedding and there wasn’t any drink I’d just buy my own. It’s never bothered anyone if there has or hasn’t.

To be honest I wouldn't even notice or care if there was a drink there for me... if I went to a wedding I'd be going because I wanted to be there not because j was expecting a drink x

Hey!! Breathe.... don’t panic, don’t break yourself financially and don’t dread your own wedding over a glass of wine!! It’s not worth the stress. Please remember the day is about you celebrating your love for your partner and doing so with friends and family. You’re already buying them all dinner!! If anyone complains about a cash bar then sod them!
We had very similar to you, we got married at 3.30pm outside in late summer and had a bbq for the guests, I did put wine on the tables but only because our venue let us supply our own so I bulk bought from the supermarket, I wouldn’t have spent £22 a bottle! No chance!
Relax, your wedding is going to be amazing and people will buy drinks xx

We're not providing wine on the tables either! Don't panic 😊 I think it's a lot less common now days x were having a reception drink for when guests arrive, and the venue are providing prosecco for the toast, but we'll only be paying for what is used! So a lot cheaper than wine on the table xxx

We arnt doing wine ,and we get married on the 25th of may this year x

We had wine on our tables for our wedding, most of it went to family members who took half drunk bottles home with them. Ask about a corkage charge, usually it’s about £6 per bottle, so a nice decent £5 bottle of wine works out half the price of their bottles. That’s if you’re desperate to put it on the table.

Amy Fokinther

It's your wedding day! We've provided an arrival drink, our ceremony is at 3pm and then we're having a burger bar and desserts. That's all we're providing! You have to do what is best for you 👰🤵

Honestly don’t think that’s an issue at all. You’re doing exactly what we’re doing.
You are providing an arrival and toast drink. And if most of your guests aren’t big drinkers that’s absolutely plenty!

Most people are absolutely happy to buy their own drinks! Especially because you’ve spent so much on feeding them and other drinks anyway

Jason Payne

It's totally acceptable not to have wine, as long as there is plenty of water.

Also people may get less drunk!

I wouldn’t think anything of it if wine wasn’t on the table. Would go expecting to buy my own drinks. You’re already feeding everyone, I’m sure no one will even think about it!

This is more or less what we are doing. Late ceremony.(3.30pm ceremony) arrival drink & canapés. Sit down buffet with dessert. Tea & coffee. No drinks on table. Weddings are expensive, a lot of my family don’t drink wine, so just a waste of money!

We're not doing drinks for anyone. We both have a large family and can't afford the 700 it would cost to pay for drinks for the table...we would rather provide decent food in all honesty.. Been to weddings where no drink was provided. not a problem. Just keep it the way you have planned.

People who are offended at not having free win at a free meal for a fun celebration and the honour of being at your wedding need to uninvited...

We won’t be having wine on the tables. Just doing some fizz for the toasts

We’ve asked our guests which drink they would like from a list as part of the rsvp (they also had to provide meal choice) this means everyone will get the drink they like to drink and it’s worked out better for us cost wise as we’ve been able to buy bottles of wine / cases of bottled lager

You could do a 1 drink token like you thought but have the drinks limited to certain ones like draught beer and single house spirits

Have a one free drink token and lost the drinks ie beer, cider, house wine, single shot of spirit etc and make the venue aware.

I provided no drinks at all for our wedding (very small, low key wedding) noone cared at all and was happy to buy their own drinks so they could choose anything they wanted xx

We have a drinks package which is drink on arrival, glass with the main course, and then a glass for the speeches/toasts. We're also putting money behind the bar, if anyone wants anything beyond that, they have to purchase it themselves.
I wouldn't worry about wine on the table, it's your day and you do what you want. People can choose what they want around that. You're already providing enough for people

We did arrival drinks. Prosecco, orange juice and a keg of beer. No drinks on table and we also had a BBQ. We had an amazing day. We didn't hear of any one moaning about the no wine. Its your choice. Hope you have an amazing day xx

Hiya, we in the same position. Instead of wine on bbq evening we doing beer instead. That's you & h2b day so you make a decision. We did and we are happy 😁 if someone want wine or other drink pay for yourself 😁😁😁

We are getting married at 1pm and having a sit down meal after. We are having 1 drink on arrival, 1 drink with meal and a glass of bubbly for toast. Weddings cost enough without paying for everyone's drinks aswell! Don t forget the day is about you and your husband to be, you aren't out to please your guests. Ps I've been to loads of weddings where there wasn't any on the table, I never battered an eye lid! Enjoy your day how you want it x

I've been to a few weddings where no alcohol was on the tables. In fact, I dont even know if I've been to one wedding where alcohol was on the tables. I would never go to a wedding expecting the bride and groom to provide drink for me. I'm getting married this summer and we arent providing alcohol. I dont drink but my partner does, some of my family dont drink and some of his family dont drink but other ones in my family do and all our friends do too. They are getting their meal free so they can buy their own drinks if needs be xx

We didn’t bother with red wine on the tables, we did white and rosè - anything that was left over from the meal the venue served at the bar until it was gone and anything left over from there we were given to take home as we had paid for it. We ended up taking 6 bottles of white home and NONE of the rosè.

We're not putting wine on the tables. We are paying for our guests to have some prosecco following the service, that's it xo

I am a firm believer that it’s your day so have what you and your partner want. You can’t please everybody at the end of the day so make sure it’s memorable enough for you to look back at the day and say, it was perfect, just how we wanted it ❤️

Instead of doin a bottle of each for table we gave guests a glass of wine for meal but they could swap it beer if they chose to, kids had a soft drink with their meals

We aren’t having wine on the tables, like you, I’ve been to weddings and the table wine hasn’t even been opened. We’re having a drinks reception (with Prosecco) and Prosecco for the toast 😊

We’re not paying for anyone’s drinks 🤷🏻‍♀️

Allan Dunn

I always buy my own drinks at weddings so absolutely acceptable! And that's what is happening at my wedding too 🤣 you go to any other party and you don't expect there to be free alcohol at least that's how I look at it and your spending enough as it is x

how about a couple of large chill buckets with a mix of beers wine juices ciders etc

Just have a 1 free drink token, work limitations on the token, such as:
Free for
1 glass of wine
1 point or beer or cider
1 or 2 soft drinks
1 or 2 hot drinks
"As much as we would love for you to get really merry, or spirit is with you but the bars isn't. Have a great night on us"

Most of the weddings I've been to haven't had wine on the table which is fine x the weddings I've been to with wine on the tables everyone was really drunk lol!

If your paying for the whole day including the bbq then I don’t think your out of order for asking guests to buy their own drinks xx

We are doing the same for our wedding - we are paying for a glass of fizz with canapes and then a glass of fizz for the toast, but all other drinks our guests will have to buy from the bar. We have told all our guests that this is the situation, and as long as they are aware of what you are doing, then you shouldn't have any problems. You are right, it can get expensive if you offer to pay for drinks, and if you have lots of people that won't be drinking, then it is not worth the money!

I’ve been to a few weddings where no drink was provided at all - we just bought from the bar - and they were very enjoyable.
People come to a wedding to celebrate with you. If they’ve only come for free food and drink and make a noise about it, you may want to re-consider your relationship! X

If you’re doing a welcome drink it’s not necessary to provide wine as well. I’d be perfectly happy to buy my own drinks

If you are doing a welcome drink that’s fine.

We was going to have wine on our tables but it worked out to be really expensive and I was worried it’d go to waste because everyone’s wine tastes are different so we left people to buy their own and I’m so glad we did because someone kept buying bottles of wine at our wedding and wasting them which is there money and not ours xx

It's your day. If people are only coming for the wine then ask yourself if you really want them there.

I went to my cousin's wedding, who is tee total, and she didn't provide any alcohol with the meal. It was a wonderful day and nobody mentioned it because that's not why we went xx

Drinking is a privilege that shouldn't be finding by anyone but yourself. Don't spend what you can't afford.

What about a drink as a favour rather than wine on tables my friend didn't do wine n just did a nice jar with a coke and vodka in or a beer or wateva xxx

Do the tokens. Inform your bar and guests no shots, no doubles and small glasses of wines only, if your on a tight budget and get the bar staff to collect the tokens. That way you know everyone has had a drink on you fairly, if that’s what you really want to do. That’s the only suggestion I have. But the main thing is that you enjoy your day.

Well you don’t have expensive spirits on the list, beer, wine, vodka, gin, bourbon, whisky (a cheap single malt). That’s it

Your day you do it how you want specially if you are paying for it. I got engaged at the weekend and weve already said we arent doing that

I didn’t put wine on tables..first drink free and then I gave a favour of miniature, I never heard anyone moan, if they did. Venue included an estimated amount for bar bill in our original bill.. we got money back the next day 👍🏻

Guests will be buying their own drinks at our wedding (except for the toasts 🥂) as I have done the same at 9/10 weddings I’ve been too. People are there to help celebrate your love and relationship not your bank account xx

I've never expected free drinks at a wedding, I'm there to celebrate the couple, not to scav free booze.

Let them pay for their own drinks, it's perfectly acceptable and no one will mind - and if they do, maybe you should re-evaluate their position in your life as they clearly aren't there for you, just what they can get for nothing.

People are there to see you, not to drink wine. We put wine on the tables but it was included in the package. We also looked into buying it ourselves (I worked for a supermarket at the time) but with corkage it worked out far too expensive. At the end of the day, if people want to drink, they can buy their own. 👍

We had the schloer stuff and just a little wine as it never get drunk. We had no complaints

I'm not doing any sort of drinks or wine at the table people forget the cost of planning a wedding. There's a bar if you would like to drink then that's where your heading 😂

We had this issue so we negotiated a corkage fee at venue to bring our own we got it down cheaper to get wine costs down . Places like majestic wine will also buy back un drunk wine and refund we were cleaned out in the end but we had Italian wines red white and rose plus a Prosecco toast

We paid corkage instead so bulk bought wine and put it on tables (we did a summer bbq too). It all got drank (but we know big drinkers).
It's your day, do it your way.
It may be worth the token but having a set list it can be used for, so say it's £3 per guest and people pay any difference.
I've only been to one wedding that didn't provide a drink with the meal and it was a very small wedding. It didn't bother me at all. I'm much more bothered about enjoying the day itself and that doesn't require alcohol x

Check your corkage fee if you really want something, it might be worth supplying your own bottles if they allow it. we actually invested in prosecco and wine when it was on offer in asda (Christmas offer of 6 for £24 on prosecco and kept no problem 'til June wedding). Saved us a lot more money just paying corkage than what they were charging for their bottles. Or if you could buy wholesale from a supplier then even better!
But its also OK not to have any!

Every wedding I've been to I was fully prepared to purchase my own drinks, I find it strange when people expect free alcohol to be flowing, when bride and groom have already paid all the other expenses including the band etc. You are already providing a welcome drink and toast so its perfectly fine and no one should feel offended

I had wine at mine but the wedding was at 1:30 and the breakfast was about 3ish but I’m not a massive fan of wine. It’s your wedding do what you want, if people aren’t happy with free food, the welcome drink and toast drink then they are just greedy. Or if you do want to provide wine ask the venue if you can bring your own and they will probably just charge you a corkage fee see if that works out cheaper. I hope everything goes well for you

I wouldn’t care if there was no wine. Would buy my own.

Or you could do a one free beer / soft drink token?

We didn’t do drinks at our day, we had a very relaxed day no sit down meal bbq during the day and pizza on the night my theory was that our day was more of a party i dont go to a party and expect drinks to be provided nor would I expect it at anyone else’s wedding, everyone has different drink tastes. Not one person commented on the lack of drinks provided and everyone has said they had a fantastic time. I only wish id done a kids drinking station as my dad got sick of cueing for drinks for the kids 🙈🤣🤣

I think what you’ve offered is enough I wouldn’t bother giving any more away they’re already getting 2 free drinks that’s enough 🤣

I had a bar at my first wedding and people were happy to buy their own drinks as they were told about it before the day

People normally expect to buy there own drinks nowadays. It’s an expensive time for you, and most people just won’t to join in your happiness. It’s your day enjoy it.

We did a deal with the venue for welcome drinks and then people got their own x

I come from family and friends who do drink alot. We had a free drinks token no wine, just entrance drinks and toast. Every body loved it we did sweet bags for the kids. We asked the bar to only do singles and a mixer or beer.

Get everyone to pay for their own drinks. All weddings I've been too we've had to and I'll do the same at mine. They've had an invite, they get food,l and entertainment what more do they want? Lol x

I wouldn't care if there wasn't a bottle of wine on the table.... I've been to a few that don't provide any free drinks... I go assuming I'll be buying all my own. Don't worry about it. If people are offended it's their problem

I had it part of my package juice for children and bottles of wine and a welcome drink

See if you can just pay corkage that is what we did and it came out at around £12 a bottle. We had a red and white per table and pink Prosecco for the toast. We had 35 children in the day and 100 adults so I know what you are saying. We catered for 1/2 bottle per person and hardly any of it was drunk except for by a few people in hind site we should have had the bottles taken away after the meal as people just kept mine sweeping into the night. X

Would not bother me you do what is best for you we went to one with wine and not all got drank sure it will still be special good luck xx

Im not putting wine on tables, I think it will encourage people to drink it just because it's there regardless of whether they like it x

At my goddaughters wedding she provided a tray full of bottle drinks and jugs of Pimms that we helped ourselves to after the wedding before the meal and a cash bar. It was perfect

Every wedding ive ever been to people have had to buy their own drinks. Some have had a bottle of wine on the table but like u said alot of them were nearly full or unopened. Ur providing a welcome drink and a toast drink so thats expensive enough in itself xx

Negotiations needed, we provided all the wine for our wedding at a fraction of the cost, Tesco’s, 25% off 6 bottles, we bought 60, good wine too, our wedding package was reduced considerably

I didn’t provide wine at mine just for toast and a glass of fizz after the ceremony xx

I'm not doing wine on our wedding tables as you said it's always left over at end of night , all I'm doing for mine is prosecco for the toast, but I've hired a bar and the drinks are kinda cheap so it's a win for me!!

You can do a free drink token but have the drink limited to a list at the bar

We used pimms was a lot cheaper. I think one bottle of wine at the take if you can afford

A friend of mine did a glass of sparkling something for the toast and one drink with the meal, wine, beer, cider or soft drink.

Im not serving welcome drinks or drinks on the table at all. I can't justify spending that money on something that i don't feel is necessary as majority of our guests won't drink wine. Our reception is a rugby club so they have decent prices on drinks anyway and we've been able to put more money towards entertainment.

I'm not having wine on my tables. And everyone I've spoke to about it has said they'd prefer their own drinks anyway so honestly don't panic about it 😊

As a guest, I would like a welcome drink, and possibly a glass of bubbly to toast the speeches but this doesn't happen at a lot of weddings. I wouldn't expect to have wine on the table, guests already get a meal paid for. I always expect to buy my own drinks at a wedding - sometimes I sneak my own into my handbag!
Please don't stress over it. If it's going to stretch the budget, don't do it. It's that simple xx

Don't bother with wine on the tables. Just make sure you have some fizz for the toast. We paid for drinks tokens instead and put two in everyone's place. A lot of people aren't bothered for wine and would much rather have a pint or a g&t... Xxx

I completely agree a lot for alcohol. Save money. Or just give each guest a drinks voucher so they can pick if you really want to supply additional drinks on top of arrival and toast xx

at a relative's wedding she put money behind the bar and when it ran out people then started paying

We are giving a drink on arrival, special cocktails for the bridal party and I think a bottle of wine per table but the rest of the drinks will need to be bought by them. We are already paying for their transport and their meal if they grudge a drink that’s on them

I think having one free drink is acceptable to be honest weddings are already quite expensive the time you pay for everything else x

Be cheaper to pre get the drink from a supermarket

We are having a drink on arrival and we are not doing speeches at all (it's us that don't want it) no wine on the tables as it won't get drunk that much so its not needed, its your day don't stress about others

Not everyone drinks wine so weve not done wine on tables. Weve got beer and bubbles with canapes and bubbles for toast but if they want something else they can go to the bar x

We didn't have wine, just welcome and toast drinks xxx

Emily Abbott

Good grief you are providing enough x

Perhaps ask how much jug of PIMS on tables ? Do what you comfy with and what you can afford. Family and friends just want to be part of your special day (Well they do if good friends !) No need to keep up with the Jones'. Enjoy your day 😁

We're not having wine in the tables, we're providing a glass after the ceremony and one for the toast

We had no wine on tables at our wedding I think as long as a drink is provided for the toasts it's not a big deal

We had bbq food and asked for 2 bottles of fruit cider per guest rather than wine and that all got drunk. Wine is just a waste in my opinion xx

I personally think it's ridiculous that the Bride & Groom are feeling under pressure to provide drinks for their guests. Lovely if you can afford too and know that your guests are going to drink it, but it's just an added extra onto what is already an extortionate amount of money being paid out to the venues in the first place.
I've been to many weddings in my lifetime and paid for all our drinks, it's only the odd few in recent years that we were given a free drink.
No one is going to mind if you don't provide a free drink, everyone will understand and won't mind buying their own choice if drink.
Do what you think is best for you & your htb.
Goog luck x

Completely acceptable, your wedding, your way, bbq and beer sounds fabulous! You don't need wine, not at that price! Enjoy your day! Xx

How much is corkage fee? Will they let you buy your own (much cheaper) wine and put that on the tables instead?

We had 1 glass per person at our wedding and 1 glass of fizz to toast. Most of it was left! Not worth it!

My bar was closed during the meal so had to provide drinks for the meal - or people go thirsty - so just make sure that your bar will stay open x

The wine is normally cheap and nasty anyway. It wouldn't bother me not yo have it x

Could you do bucks fizz instead? C

Use lambrini? It's cheap like £2 a bottle. Or are the venue not letting you provide your own? X

Do whatever you think best, it’s really hard trying to please everyone. It’s your & future hubby’s special day everyone else is a guest. We probably will just have few bottles for dinner and for toasts. We are paying for it so bugger what anyone thinks, if that concerned about free booze I know of cheap establishments they can be promptly redirected to 😂

We aren't! Don't like the stuff! So people will be getting a welcome cider instead or soft drink and if they want wine then they can buy it. That's no different to going to a wedding with wine and us having to buy our cider 🤣😂

I’m having a late wedding for 100 and they are going around with trays of white and rose wine. One glass per person! Xx

At our wedding last year we had a tab behind the bar. People could get free drinks but once the tab had run out they had to buy their own. Everyone was happy with that. We stated to bar staff that if people wanted doubles they paid the for the extra shot and no silly shots were to be put on the tab

We have done a free entry drink and a bottle of each on each table but we are lucky to have family helping out x it’s ur day if u can’t afford it ur guests should understand that x

I've never attended a wedding where there has actually been wine on the table.

We are just having our meal for family in the local Toby carvers. We are paying for the meals but the guests will be buying their own drinks. I think it's perfectly acceptable. If they want to be there they will do whatever you want. If you had an evening in a hotel or club they would have to pay for their own drinks unless you put money behind bar which then you get the quick drinkers taking advantage, so do what you planned and make them buy their own drinks

I gave a drink of choice on arrival and a drink of choice for the toast which worked out at about £3 a head at the venue I used I was having 50 people during the day x

We didn't provide any alcoholic drinks at our wedding. Jugs of water on tables and people bought other drinks from bar

We went to a wedding where there was no wine given - tbh it was a bit confusing at first as we didn’t know but weren’t bothered by it. Just went and got our own drinks and happily toasted the bride and groom with drinks we enjoyed. I think as long as people are aware so they can get drinks in before getting their food there will be no probs x x

We never had table wine, we don't drink it and slightly resented paying for our guests to get hammered whilst we would have to then buy our own drinks. We provided prosecco for the toasts and paid for the bar to be open as soon as people arrived at the venue as a compromise.

Im getting married September and my guests only have a free toast drink, have to buy their own, youre paying for them to eat and attend your wedding so i personally think its fine X

We had no alcohol package as it would have cost us around £650 extra, we bought pink lemonade for our reception and toast drinks. We in the end decided to give a limited cost drink voucher to our day guests to be paid at the end. Our venue wanted to charge £21 per bottle of Martini Asti, average at £9 per bottle in Asda, pink lemonade 50p per 2lt at Tesco... All of our guests loved it, then they can get their own drinks at the bar. Happy days xx

You know your guests. If majority of them don't drink and only a couple of people do then don't have the table wine. If people really want a drink they'll buy one.
Hubby and myself don't like wine and rarely drink, however majority of our guests did so we had table wine. We bought our own wine and and champagne, the venue just charged corkage and for us it worked out cheaper doing it that way.

We did first drink paid for but did not allow doubles of spirits. We had around 60 guests, worked out cheaper than wine. For my daughter's wedding we were lucky enough to get 18 bottles of champagne from France. (We bought it out there). We had four bottles left. If anyone wanted other drinks they bought their own from the bar. Check whether your venue will allow you to take your own wine, be aware they may charge you a few for doing it

I’d definitely say they can buy their own drinks!! Especially when you are doing welcome drinks and Prosecco for the toast!

We are getting married in June, we want a low key affair so it will be a glass of Prosecco when they come in then they buy there own drinks. There’s no sit down meal, getting married at 4.30 in the afternoon then straight into a party with buffet and disco 💃

Last year we went to a wedding with apple juice they had bought from a local farm, they had put it in big jugs with ice and it was so lovely the sun was shining the day was hot and it was so much more refreshing it was a Great idea!!

I’d be absolutely fine as I don’t like wine. We aren’t having wine at the tables at our wedding but offering guests a drink of their choice which normally goes down better - especially with the men who only drink beer 🙈 xx

I think it’s fine to do a free drink token and then just have have a pay for bar! Especially because you’re having welcome drinks 🥂

I've only ever attended weddings where you buy your own drinks. Does your venue charge corkage? If not, you can get prosecco/wines really cheap (less than fiver a bottle) in Aldi and Lidl. Or even with corkage it might be cheaper than what the venue charge. I don't think it's a bad thing not to have wine on tables. We offered coffee/tea at ours and soft drinks for kids. Nobody commented....but we did alcohol favours x

I don't think you need wine as it's a BBQ... I would definitely prefer a beer with that type of food... and it wouldn't bother me one bit having to buy a couple of beers for myself.
I went to a wedding recently and there wasn't wine on the table - none of the guests at the table even mentioned it. I wouldn't worry at all and just enjoy the run up to your wedding!
Remember everyone that's there will be family or a friend.... they aren't going to care!

I've been to a wedding where there wasn't any wine on the tables and tbh it didn't bother me or my family at all, they gave 1 free drink token to each guest which was a choice of a few things at the bar, then we just went up to buy what we want when we wanted it :)

Dan Jones

It’s your day and your money. You earnt it and if your friends and family want to see you wed they should attend and be prepared to pay for their drink. The days of it all supplied are gone! Weddings are expensive and you need your money to stretch to the rest of your life! Go for it!

When we got married we were put under pressure by our relatives snobs some of them to put champagne on each tables and was only sure that it was for the few snobs attending.. so i decided to call their bluff... we arranged a small corkage fee with the venue, i then marched into Asda and bought 24 bottles.. and on the day they were all labelled up on the table.. everyone went on how lovely they looked with our names on it etc and wedding date and what fantastic champagne it was .. and must have been moet etc...... Little did they know i bought 24 bottles of asda cheap cava £1 each.. back in the day.. we bought first drinks and that was it, open bar.. i did tell those relatives after the event years later and they were in hysterics.... stick within your budget, we could afford it but not paying for ott stuff.

Why don't you suggest a bring your own booze ??

I'd be fine about it. 1 free drink and all the food is plenty (plus its an excuse to dress up too!) X

I wouldn’t be offended. We had it with our package and it wasn’t drunk much and just drunk for the sake of it by my brother and his friend during the evening 😂

My friend made wedding favours to get around it. A bottle of lager with a key shaped bottle opener and a little poem about the toast! It went down brilliantly xx

Skip the wine it’s usually leftover because it’s awful to drink! We did 3 glasses of Asti per guest none was wasted !

No wine for me Tiff Welsh have I missed my invite

I got married yesterday and we didnt have wine one the tables. Everyone was more than happy to get there own drinks as only a few drink wine and we got through more soft drinks really

I’m not having wine. We are giving our guests a welcome drink & a toast drink but no wine. We needed to cut down on something to make it more affordable & we are having a non traditional meal that we don’t personally think wine goes with anyway so we ditched the wine. I bet nobody will even notice! X

Totally agree with the drink token option, or if the venue allows it, giving all guests miniatures if vodka / gin etc as wedding favors? My future husband and I are not a wine drinkers 🤷🏻‍♀️ so we always have to buy our own drinks doesn’t bother us at all! We’re getting a free meal and a party so happy to pay for own drinks! For our up and coming wedding, we’ve opted for arrival drinks, toast drink and a drink of their choice on us for our guests. Do not worry at all! I used to work in weddings and events at a hotel and promise you the house table wine was either hardly ever drunk or (cheap) guests would take any of the full 1/2 full bottles home with them at the end of the night! 😳😂
Do whatever makes you and your partner happy, it’s your day no one else’s and if they aren’t happy or start moaning, they shouldn’t be there in the first place if they can’t even be happy for you on your special day!
Have the best time and enjoy every minute of it! X

Nope I didn’t we did the wedding roast at the bar of hotel to toast to everyone then we all went into room fir food we had hot cold buffet so no we didn’t provide wine hardly any my family drink 🍷 so everyone got their own don’t bother it’s a personal taste thing I wouldn’t open red anyways doubt white I’m
Rose drinker if I drink xx

I didnt provide drinks and was complimented hoe good of a day so wouldn’t worry x

As long as you are giving a welcome drink then no need to buy or put wine on the table . Gone are the days when you used to buy all the drinks or put a tab at the bar, no one will mind buying their own drinks 🍷

They are getting a welcome drink and a drink for the toast x that is more than enough x I wouldn’t put wine on tables or do drinks for them xz

Maybe just provide a quarter of the wine the venue have suggested and have it available if people want to help themselves.

We are not having alcohol at all at our wedding, lots of people are driving and alot of children. On tables we are having jugs of water, sparkling water and flavoured water and then a self service table with cordial and other fizzy drinks - Pepsi max etc (that is mine and my fiances fave drink) I went to one wedding and the wine on table of 12 was only drunk by 2 people!! Everyone we have mentioned it to have said - it's your wedding do what you actually want (fiance doesnt drink and I have very very little)

My fiancé and I are not doing that we are having them buy their own drinks, it's far too expensive to buy drinks for the guests. We're getting married late in the day so where our venue is we're just having a hot and cold buffet with a candy cart. It's your special day don't let others contradict what you do.

We offered a drinks token to evening guests with a "no bubbles, no doubles, no spirits" rule and it went down fine. Our day guests had had wine but there were loads of bottles leftover and they just got put on the bar as a "help yourself" kind of thing :-) It depends entirely on your guests. If you let them know ahead of time what to expect, you should be fine and dandy :-)

I've not yet been to a wedding where wine was on the tables i think one or two had a glass of bubbles on arrival but that was it. It would bother me. We live in a changing world where more people are aware of cost and dont tend to judge if they can't get a free glass of wine. If I did a wine package should I ever find a man then I'd ask for all left over unopened bottles to go to my room. I've paid for them after all can take them home 😂

I'd screw the wine. Probably a waste of money and sometimes the wine provided isn't even nice.

If you do a bar tab, do a seat limit of say £300 but restrict what drinks that can be bought.

i.e: Singles and not doubles, small glasses of wine and not large, then maybe free soft drinks. If they're your actual friends they shouldn't order too much anyway or take the piss.

You can also ask the bar tender to let you know how quickly it's going up as well.

Or a drink token is a good idea for 1 or 2 drinks with the same idea as above.

Either way it's your husband to be and your day. Don't let anything that small worry you x

I’m not having welcome drinks, toast drinks or wine on the table at my wedding and I’m saving around £800 by doing so. As people have told me, it’s our wedding day not a day to pay for people’s drinks. Plus the fact that hardly any of our guests drink wine or Prosecco anyway x

I would not be bothered at all. If people want to drink wine let them buy it. If I went to a wedding and there was no pudding and I really wanted one I’d happily buy it. I personally think it’s a waste of money.

We are not worried about wine on the table. Don’t worry about it, it’s your wedding day and do what ever you think. If people want it they can pay for it them selves xx

I didn’t even offer a welcome drink all my Guests knew we paid for everything ourselves and couldn’t stretch to paying for drinks and were fine with it

Your wedding should be about you and your h2b being surrounded by people who are happy for you. I would hate to think of someone worrying about things like drinks. People who love you wouldn't worry if they had to buy their own drinks. Hope your day is wonderful. 😊

You could consider providing your own wine and paying the corkage fee? This worked out loads cheaper for us. We waited for offers at supermarkets and stocked up.

We didn't have any wine on the tables at all, speak to the venue as our venue said we could do the one drink token option and they wouldn't serve high end spirits for those drinks and would also let us know once we reached certain amounts on the tab.

Absolutely! It’s your wedding day! We are providing one welcome drink on arrival - no wine, no favours either!
I’m also not having bridesmaids or best men, can’t be dealing the drama and extra cost. We have saved sooooo much money! Just want to get married and then have a party. Do what you want to do xxx

What about buckets of beer near the bbq, enough for one per guest... Would be half the price I'd imagine and could pick them up when on offer and bring to the venue yourself? Xx