Free bar

frannyann

cherry76 wrote: »

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.

If mum wants to pay for the free bar because that is what is 'expected' by her customs, then let her do it. However if you are looking to pay then a reasonable compromise would be to say there will be X amount behind the bar and people need to cough up once that is gone!

tomstickland

If you add up what people will drink on average over a night then a free bar won't actually cost all that much.

[Deleted User]

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

£10k for 80 people. What are you having, the ballroom at Claridge's with dancing girls? If you mum is accustomed to providing a lavish spread for guests then can you economise on the venue, and arrange your own catering and get booze sale-or-return from Tesco?

I'm going to a 'Claridge' wedding in the summer. The budget is a heck of a lot more than 10k (it's 7k alone to hire the venue). Sadly there won't be dancing girls

Our catering came to about 10k for our 100 guests

Sammy85_2

tomstickland wrote: »

If you add up what people will drink on average over a night then a free bar won't actually cost all that much.

But people dont drink "average" when its free. They order doubles, leave their drinks somewhere and go and get a fresh one, drink excessively cos its free. Im sure everyone knows someone who would take the mick.

We're putting on arrival drinks (two barrels of beer & 20 bottles of fizzy) so that people can mingle while we're having photos. Then half bottle of wine per person on the tables and glass of fizzy for toasts. Thats plenty enough free drink, anyone wants more they have to pay for it.

I wouldnt expect a free bar at a wedding.

Owain_Moneysaver

Sammy85 wrote: »

But people dont drink "average" when its free. They order doubles, leave their drinks somewhere and go and get a fresh one, drink excessively cos its free. Im sure everyone knows someone who would take the mick.

Not to mention the fact that there is no check on what is actually consumed, so it can be very profitable for the hotel. Your guests don't know what you're paying for, so are in no position to complain if they're served 50x Bolivian Chardonnay, but the hotel can happily bill you for 100x Dernier Cru.