Wedding party - bar dilemma!

ailuro2

One evening wedding I went to had a choice of vodka or whisky to choose from as we arrived- what made that feel wrong was you were expected to help yourself to coke/orange juice- even down to opening the can and leaving some for the next person. It did make sense, but it felt very 'off'

I'd say a tray of white sparkling wine and a tray of freshorange juice will provide people something to 'toast' you with. It's accepted that if you don't like them then you buy your own- most people head straight for the bar after finding their seats anyway.;)

Ishtar

Our guests had a drink on arrival and champagne for the toast. We also put some money behind the bar so that they could have a drink on us, but after that they had to pay.

Knowing our friends, I don't think we could have afforded a free bar :rolleyes:

I hope you have lovely day.
D.

Becles

Ours was a smaller wedding. My Dad was in charge of greeting people back at the hotel and paying for their first drink, while we had photographs taken in the hotel gardens (they were beautiful!).

Each table had a 2 bottles of wine on for the meal. They also provided free jugs of juice or water for those who didn't drink, and those who wanted other drinks bought their own. Everyone also got a glass of sparkling wine for the toasts.

After that, people were happy to buy their own drinks from the bar.

Most of the weddings I have been to have been ones where you have to buy most or all of your drinks. The only one I went to with a free bar was one where the brides parents were of the "we are so much better than you" ilk, and they spent all night telling people how much all the drink was costing them, while theatrically pulling out rolls of cash to pay for it :rolleyes:

Katgoddess

Becles wrote: »

Ours was a smaller wedding. My Dad was in charge of greeting people back at the hotel and paying for their first drink, while we had photographs taken in the hotel gardens (they were beautiful!).

This is what happened at a wedding I went to last year. The father of the bride was in the bar buying drinks for everyone. He also secretly gave money to the best man (my OH) and the ushers to buy drinks for people as well. So everyone got free drinks, but no one took advantage. There was also wine on the table for the meal and I think it was cava for the toast.

Toto

We did have a free bar and I was actually surprised at how little people drank. Ok they did have champagne on arrival, wine with their meals etc. But my bill was £980, not bad considering it was a hotel and we had 200 guests in the evening. I left jugs of water on the tables and there was a help yourself bar of fruit juices and alcoholic punch on the buffet table. This really kept the cost down, the punch was filled up lots but very few people went to the bar.

I negotiated down other costs with my venue. I didn't pay for hire of the function rooms at all, I just paid for the meals and alcohol. I told them whatever we didn't pay for we would put behind the bar. That way the hotel got their money but we got to provide our guests with a good party.

arnie&caseysma!

Because it is a few days after your wedding and you are not having the sit down meal, only the evening bash, I would do the wine or fresh orange on arrival and let the guests pay for the rest at the bar. I have never actually been to an evening reception where you get a drink on arrival as it has been given to the daytime guests when they arrive after the wedding. I wouldn't expect a drink myself and if you decide against it altogether the guests will just have to accept it.

celyn90

The last wedding I went to, the reception was a marquee in a relatives garden, they didn't have a bar as such, just put bottles of wine on the table and ice buckets with beer in at the side. There was water and juice in jugs in the kitchen, which was just refilled as the night went on. Other than that, I've never been to wedding where the bar was free - I would expect to pay. Maybe if you were torn, you could have trays out when people arrive or leave a few bottles on the tables and provide something for little ones if you have children coming, but I quite honestly think noone will bat an eyelid if they have to pay.

I really hope you have a great day! love and hugs cel x

Alias_Omega

Ok, ok flame me for the chocolate fountain idea.

I know you can buy a small one from asda or such places really cheap, but the hotel we are at wont allow us to bring any form of food not catered for in the place.

Therefore the option to have one is out, as too a wedding cake..

We like this one for £240 delivered..



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140162341967&fromMakeTrack=true

catkins

I must be unusual because of all the weddings I have been to I have only had to pay for drinks at two of them. I must admit I thought it was a bit stingy especially as one of the weddings was a well over the top affair paid for by the bride's dad who has plenty of money.

At my wedding (admittedly a long time ago) myself and OH paid for all the drinks and no one abused it.

pavlovs_dog

ive never been to a wedding with a free/open bar, and i certainly wouldnt expect it either. i think one drink to accompany the food - be that paid for by you at the bar, or provided on the table (wine/juice etc) - will more than suffice