Hi all - what are your thoughts on an open bar during the reception? Would you go for a full open bar, an open bar for a limited time, provide drinks tokens, put some money behind the bar or just leave the guests to pay for themselves?
Having a bit of a struggle with my bank account and conscience (since our guests would be paying approx. £500pp to come to the wedding!).
Obviously the drinks options depends on your number of guests - but we'll have about 20. Thoughts?
CommentAuthorGlitterfairy
You could do drink tokens so that way each guest gets a certain number and then they have to pay for the drinks. I think a total open bar some may take the mickey, at least if you give them say three drinks or so at least you have made an effort to provide them with a drink.
Our wedding day - 6 October 2012
CommentAuthorLyndsey M
can you negotiate an open bar for a set cost? The venue should be able to hazard a guess at how much drink could be consumed for x amount of hours with x amount of guests and make sure they cover there costs and then at least you know how much it will be up front?
CommentAuthorNataleeM
i see your getting married abroad hunny, if it was me i would supply my guests with a certain amount of free drink - doesnt have to be alot but something, xxx
Can not wait until I marry the man of my DREAMS
CommentAuthorLauraY27
Is the venue a hotel? Is it all inclusive? Are any of your guests staying there?x
I think it would be lovely to provide an open bar if it's in budget; we'd love to have done this but have had to settle for putting money behind the bar, which can be spent only on certain drinks :-(
What I'd suggest though is trying to negotiate a deal with the venue beforehand so that you have a fixed cost. If they are unable to do that, then I would probably just put money behind the bar. Reason being that that way you know where you are, and don't risk being hit with a bill that's more than you can afford. Your guests will still be really appreciative and will be chuffed to get any drinks free; they won't expect one all night, so anything will be a bonus!
CommentAuthorShowgirl
I went to a wedding with an open bar a llittle while ago. I caught up with the bride a few months later at another wedding and the 150 or so guests managed to sip their way through £6000 worth of drinks... which is exactly what changed my mind about having an open bar, we just can't afford it. For 20 guests the bill will be substantially lower but really it depends on your budget. Most guests expect to pay for drinks these days so any drinks provided by the happy couple are gratefully received.
CommentAuthorbarbie86
Showgirl: that's why we're not having one. We'd love one,but just can't stretch to it. So, we're providing drinks during the day, and putting a generous amount behind the bar for the evening. That way it's worked into the budget and we know where we are, but our guests will still get plenty of free drinks (hopefully 4 per head depending on what they're drinking).
CommentAuthorrachymoo
Have you booked your venue yet? We have 25 people coming, we had initially said we would pay for the food and people would buy their own drinks because we were on quite a low budget. But when it came to actually booking our venue, it was only an extra 20 euros per head to have all of the drinks included until midnight, OK it's an extra 500euros but it's a lot less per head than we thought so we have gone for that. x
CommentAuthorPang
Not booked a venue yet, but narrowed it down to a few hotels. None of the guests, apart from maybe my parents, will be staying there as the hotels are quite expensive. I will definitely negotiate a fixed price for a set number of hours!! £6000 is ridiculous!
Rachymoo, which venue is that? 20 pp is very cheap! The Alexander the Great hotel does 30ish per head for two hours for local spirits and wines.
CommentAuthorLauraK7
Maybe with only a small amount of guests it may not be too badWe want be doing it as we are supplying all the alcohol for the day guests until the reception starts and if we have any spare money we may try to out something behind the bar I don't think people expect an open bar anymore at weddings, I'm a little bit worried about drink prices in our venue though
CommentAuthorrachymoo
We're getting married in Rhodes (Greece), it's a little taverna by the beach. It was going to be about 25 euros pp for the food (we're going for beach bbq) but it was only 45 pp with drinks on top so we went for that x
CommentAuthorWhovianbride
maybe depending on venue and whether they provide all inclusive to their guests you could ask how much it would cost for your wedding guests drinks to be all inclusive? Else if within budget and the small number of guests it would not be undooable to have a open bar or tockens for first 2/3 drinks
Met June 2009 on my Birthday,Met again July 2009 and got
together, May 2010 Moved in,Jan 2011 got pregnant,
August 2011 Got our own place, 2011 Had our Baby Girl,
Dec 2011 Got engaged, July 2015 Getting married! Yay!
CommentAuthorPang
Yes! I have found a venue which does an open bar from 12.00-00.00 (local alcohol) for 36 euros pp!! HOW AMAZING!?
CommentAuthorPang
In King Evelthon in Paphos if anybody is interested in looking at the venue - it's about to be finished!
CommentAuthorLyndsey M
That's great Pang what a bargain, the place looks amazing! x
CommentAuthorPang
Thanks, Lyndsey! Just waiting for the hotel coordinator to reply so I can BOOK!!
CommentAuthorDonnaH39
Exciting, let us know when you book. Sounds fab
CommentAuthorkatielea100
pang thats amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CommentAuthorPang
I've booked!!! :D 18th October this year! Ceremony time is 13.00 :D SO EXCITING!
CommentAuthorDonnaH39
Exciting and not long either :D
CommentAuthorPang
Nope :D have a lot to do... so many decisions to make! H2B has no opinions either so he's a bit useless lol
