We're having wine on the table for our guests (half a bottle per person). We're not having an open bar, it'll be too expensive, and well, we are paying for people to have a 3 course meal. Would wedding guests expect that we have an open bar though? I've been to weddings and don't really take much money, but that's because I'm not a very big drinker. I just don't want any awkward situations where someone didn't bring any money and therefore can't drink. Am I being silly?
CommentAuthorMrs Jones
Not at all. We went to a wedding reception recently and there was an open bar and we were both really surprised. I don't think a lot of people do it nowadays and it's certainly not expected. We are doing 1/2 bottle of wine per person and a 3 course wedding breakfast, along with drinks on arrival, drink for the toast and canapes.
First Date 26 April 2014
Proposed 27 June 2015
Happily Married 18 June 2016
CommentAuthorMrs T Hurley!
I've never expected an open bar. I think it's a recipe for disaster if you do it, as some people do like to take advantage of an open bar!!
Met 18/09/03
Engaged 06/09/08
Getting married 05/09/17
CommentAuthorStephH96
Definitely not expected. People tend to treat the evening do as a night out, with getting dressed up and the music/dancing so they expect to pay for drinks, and expect them to be expensive so they will bring a bit of cash.
CommentAuthorNicoleW665
NOOO if i had a guest who expected a free bar i'm not certain they would stay a guest just purely from cheek. if you have the money offer it only if you want to if not that don't worry. I'm only providing the drinks i am because it's in with the package, if it wasnt they wouldnt be getting anything but the food x
When we met: August 2009
When we announced engagement: December 2015
When we will get married: September 2017
We are serving wine with the meal, any wine left afterwards will be going behind bar for guests to have free but no other free alcohol
CommentAuthorEmily17
I wouldn't do an open bar because some guests may take it for granted and get silly drunk. I don't know anyone who expects it.
Like you say, you don't take a lot of money because you don't drink a lot but others who do drink more will take more money with them.
Met in 2009
He proposed Jan 2014
Will become Mrs P 7th October 2017
CommentAuthorEmily17
Faye, love the idea of putting the wine behind the bar!
Met in 2009
He proposed Jan 2014
Will become Mrs P 7th October 2017
CommentAuthorFlossie
I would definitely not expect an open bar as a wedding guest! We are providing wine with the meal as well and welcome drinks, but apart from that everyone will need to buy their own drinks if they want anything else.
Happily married
18th June 2016
xx
CommentAuthorShellbell
We are supplying wine with the meal and while we are having pictures taken but that's it. Ive never been to a wedding and expected an open bar. xx
Met 2004 lost contact after a few years
Met again 2013
Engaged July 6th 2016
Married July 14th 2018
CommentAuthorAnikaM60
My oh wants to do this but im really against it. We would have to set some of the wedding budget aside for drinks and you could end up with a nasty surprise at the end of the night if some guests have gotten carried away. Thats money we could use for the homeymoon. What i want to do instead is buy some bottles before hand so people and toast as well as paying for a few soft drinks for the table and if people want to drink further they can use the bar
CommentAuthorDanielleG93
I wouldn't expect an open bar as a wedding guest, I don't really like the thought of them either. We know if it was open some of our guests would get carried away and I don't want my wedding to be full of people who can't walk (I don't mind people drinking but if it's their own money less chance they would get completely pissed up)
