we are doing drinks package for every guest Arrival drink 2 glasses of wine with meal Toasting drink I wouldnt personally have free bar as people may get out of hand and play up? i have never been to a wedding with an open bar im tee total so dont drink xx
CommentAuthorInDreamland
Bumping for KetishaS xx
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorSam
I would love to have an open bar as culturally that is the norm for me. After going to several weddings here I have never experienced one, and I've come to the conclusion that many wouldn't know how to handle themselves around one. This thread has only confirmed that for me.
CommentAuthorNEDebz
As many others have said I would never go to a wedding expecting an open bar nor would I offer one at my wedding. My guests are getting a glass of champagne with the canapes, a glass for the toasts and half a bottle of wine for with their meal. Anything else they can pay for themselves and I know they wouldn't expect it anyother way x
4th April 2014 - I get married to my soul mate
CommentAuthorAmyP7
There's no way we are doing an open bar, we are paying £100 per person for the meal and in that they are getting a welcome drink, half a bottle of wine and then a drink to toast. After that they have to pay for the drinks they want. I've been to loads of weddings and they have not had an open bar and I didn't mind paying for drinks. X x
I think people do get carried away and take advantage when it's an open bar, thank goodness H2B has agreed to have a pay bar now otherwise I'd be doing my nut. x
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorSam
Glad to find out you sorted the open bar thing. This discussion prompted a discussion between my other half and myself. He now wants a big American wedding in part because we have open bars at home & they're affordable compared to what they'd be in the UK.
CommentAuthorOfficially Mrs M
I've never been to wedding with an open bar, the weddings i've been to have had drink supplied with the meal etx but not an open bar i don't think its the norm these days. I think the father of the bride usually puts some money behind the bar but again i've never come across this yet
8th September 2012 I married my best friend
1st September 2014 our little family grew by one
Women are made to be loved, not understood. - Oscar Wilde
CommentAuthorKate_H
Offering a free bar was really important to my other half and I originally I only looked at venues which didn’t charge corkage. I kept goggling for no corkage venues and came across a discussion on this forum, where someone recommended Oarchardleigh House, Somerset as, although they don’t offer a no corkage option, they do offer a Pre-paid bar for £20.00 per head/ £25.00 for evening guests which gives unlimited drinks from the end of the wedding breakfast until the early hours (our bar is staying open until 4am!) I think this is perfect as we know upfront how much it will cost but also know the ‘free’ drinks won’t run out!
About half the weddings I have been to had a free bar - I dont think most guests expect it though, I certainly don't, its just a bonus when it is a free bar!
CommentAuthornatalie2614
Ive never been to a wedding with a free bar, dont think its a popular thing in Liverpool to be honest. Our venue drinks are stupidly cheap anyway as its a navy base - £1.20 vod n coke, or £1.20 a pint. Guests will be offered welcome drinks, and thats it as far as the freebies go.
I think its personal preference over whether you provide a free bar, but you both have to agree as it can be costly and cause soooo many arguments.
Married my best friend 05.04.2013
CommentAuthorInDreamland
It's soooooo costly. SOme venues I think charge a fiver for a drink so can you imagine with some people who take advantage because they don't have to pay - you end up with a huge bill and guests who are yacking up in the loos. x
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorGlitterfairy
I think it is outrageous if people complain about not having a free bar! I would never expect to go to a wedding and not have to pay for drinks. Even more outrageous when it is free, but only certain drinks and people still complain! What's going on with them?? We are literally having two bottles of wine on the tables, then a drink for the toast and that is that. If they want anymore they pay!
Our wedding day - 6 October 2012
CommentAuthorxbeckix88
Were not having an open bar as it would cost a fortune as weve got 80 day guests and around 120 in the evening!!! it would be money better spent on other things and i dont want people taking advantage of it.
Ive been to a wedding before where they had a open bar and some of the guests just got so drunk that they had to leave.
If people have to pay for their own drinks im hoping that they'll be less likely to want to get completely off theyre face as i dont personally want any fights or trouble either.
CommentAuthorKristina
For my wedding that is in 2014 me and the OH are planning to put a couple of hundred behind the bar and then after that is gone, everybody has to pay for there own drinks.
Met: 1st February 2014
Engaged: 1st June 2014
Getting Married: 31st December 2014
