Free bar

cherry76

Anybody having a free bar for their wedding in the evening? I am having an argument with my mum as she thinks guest should not pay for their drinks. My budget is 10k for approx 80 people and I do not think I could afford a free bar. Any tips how to resolve this esp what other options do I have? Intends to get married next year. Thanks

RainbowDrops

I think it's perfectly acceptable to have a paying bar, booze is really expensive, especially if you are being charged bar prices by the venue.

We're providing the usual reception glass of something, half a bottle of wine with the meal, and a bubbly for toasts.
The rest will be cash bar.:beer:

Horace

Rather than having a free bar, say that the first drink is free and then they have to buy their own. People tend to take advantage if they think there is a free bar and that can end up costing you a heck of a lot of money.

Remind your mum that its your wedding and ask if she is willing to fund a free bar because you're not - or suggest the compromise above which should keep her happy.

kittykat100

I have worked in hotels for a number of years and believe me bar managers rub their hands with glee at a 'free bar' it certainly helps the bar profits indeed. What happens is as the bar are totting up the drinks then they add extra on... how would you know???

My advice... don't go for a free bar!

Saint_Chris

My advice is not to do a free bar, people do not expect it, or at least i wouldn't'.

We only had 50 close members during the day, they got bucks fizz on arrival, free wine red/white on the table, champagne for the toast, and free tea and coffee all meal.

I did actually think 'oh no one will want a drink' so i did a free bar, i told the bar tender to clock all of the drinks, and put them on a bill for me, flippin heck it was over £400, didn't see that.

I wouldn't expect anyone to pay for my drinks, so i would say don't do it.

xxx

Lyndach

What we are doing are making coupons in the invites so people can have a certain amount for free then the rest they will have to pay for. It's also a sneaky way of letting them know they aren't getting drunk on our money
You could ask your mum to pick up the tab as a wedding present!

keys_2

I personally wouldn't have a free bar as people usually take it to the extreme on these occasions , and probably put a few in their bag for home time at your expense .

Thats not including the amount of half full glasses lying around because people just order another drink as the money isn't coming out of their pocket and while they drink loads they will forget where they put their drink down

I read on here somewhere recently that a couple purchased a bottle of alcohol / spirits for each table , that way it is just one bottle on a table to share , but I imagine you would have to consider which drinks everyone drinks

mmikailian

This is what we are doing hope it helps.....

The hotel wanted to charge 15.95 a bottle of wine. I asked how much is the corkage and they said £6 a bottle of wine and £10 a bottle of Champs, so we bought our wine rosa and white from Tesco 3 for £10 if you buy more than 6 bottles you get a further 5% off so cost us 72.72 i think then £144 corkage so total cost is £216.72 instead of £382.80 a saving so far of £166.08. I am going to try and haggle further on the corkage.

we then said we would put about £400 behind the bar for pints and soft drinks only! which would be 100 pints lol the hotel is charging £4 per pint,

That means our day time guests have a choice of rosa or white wine, pints and soft drinks,

If they want spirits they can buy themselves. We know that others have gone to weddings and got tripe vodka's etc because it was free and that where it adds up and i bet most dont drink that when they are buying themselves its just greedy.
Hope this gives you some idea!

cherry76

Yes, she would pay for it, her relatives will be coming from far away and it is the custom to have a good time and not to have to pay for anything. She said she does not want her relatives to talk behind her back. I think we will have to compromise. I told her the side of my fiance's family will bankrupt her as they can drink. Last year, we went to my cousin's wedding at Clariges and they were serving champagne all evening but they could afford it and I can't. I would rather spend this money on my house having just bought one. I certainly do not want to borrow any money for the wedding.

vickyw

£6 corkage I wish! Our venue is charging £10 per bottle!!!! It still works out cheaper with Tesco 3 for £10 plus the corkage than their house wine.

omen666

kittykat100 wrote: »

I have worked in hotels for a number of years and believe me bar managers rub their hands with glee at a 'free bar' it certainly helps the bar profits indeed. What happens is as the bar are totting up the drinks then they add extra on... how would you know???

My advice... don't go for a free bar!

My cousin was a bar manager at venues and local city bars in London and always advised to do this.

I would suggest allocating say £500-1000 behind the bar and just mention it is a limited free bar and when the tab gets to this amount then it is a cash bar. Any amount attributed to your tab over that amount falls on the bars shoulders