is alcohol necessary

Our ceremony is at 10:30AM, the reception is a cruise from Noon-2PM.

FH and I are trying to decide if we should have an open bar, will people really drink that early in the day?

I keep feeling like an open bar would just be a waste at the time of day and was thinking of having wine/champagne punches, maybe mimosas or something like that instead.

What do you guys think?

OMG, an open bar is a must. If you have the $$, do it. I've been to out of state wedding with cash bars, and while its the norm there, here on LI its not.

Most folks will have a drink or two day or evening.

I think your idea is absolutely fine - it actually sounds like an amazing wedding!

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Posted by twinkle164

I think wine and punches and maybe mimosas will be nice. I went to a brunch shower and all they had was mimosas and bloody Marys and no one complained.

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that was a shower, which is typical for a shower, but not a wedding. Even if you did a cash bar, they would have a whole array of choices.

I had a day wedding (noon-5pm reception) & I assure you, people drink during the day. If you want to do limited offerings, that's fine, but you really should have alcohol. I think it might be odd if you didn't. Maybe you can just have beer, wine & soda if cost is an issue.

Or perhaps have the RH charge you 'by consumption' rather than a flat price per person if you don't have a big drinking crowd... just another option.

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Posted by futuremrsGafforio

I would have to agree...if $$ isn't an issue, I would def have the open bar.....

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me too.... however if money is an issue, I think that the wine and mimosas are a nice idea. Maybe also beer.

I just went to a day wedding that started at 11:30 2 weekends ago and people drank like it was the evening so I would say some alcohol is a must, in whatever manner you can provide.

Personally speaking, I would need it, but I might have issues.

FH and I rarely drink, so we just really weren't sure if people would drink so early in the day.

$ of course is part of the consideration, we are paying for this ourselves, we bought a house last year, so our savings are down and just found out we have to replace the roof sooner thatn expected, so in the back of my head I keep thinking spend a few thousand extra on an open bar or pay for the new roof?

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Posted by Nina_m74

FH and I rarely drink, so we just really weren't sure if people would drink so early in the day.

$ of course is part of the consideration, we are paying for this ourselves, we bought a house last year, so our savings are down and just found out we have to replace the roof sooner thatn expected, so in the back of my head I keep thinking spend a few thousand extra on an open bar or pay for the new roof?

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People will definitely drink. But if open bar is not feasible then I would suggest going with your idea of having punches and maybe some wine at the table.

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Posted by Nina_m74

FH and I rarely drink, so we just really weren't sure if people would drink so early in the day.

$ of course is part of the consideration, we are paying for this ourselves, we bought a house last year, so our savings are down and just found out we have to replace the roof sooner thatn expected, so in the back of my head I keep thinking spend a few thousand extra on an open bar or pay for the new roof?

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I know you said the reception is a cruise - I'd want to watch alcohol consumption on a boat for safety reasons, too!

I know you're upstate - is your family from upstate too, or are they traveling from LI and expecting a LI wedding?

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Posted by Nina_m74

FH and I rarely drink, so we just really weren't sure if people would drink so early in the day.

$ of course is part of the consideration, we are paying for this ourselves, we bought a house last year, so our savings are down and just found out we have to replace the roof sooner thatn expected, so in the back of my head I keep thinking spend a few thousand extra on an open bar or pay for the new roof?

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then just do beer, wine & soda, no booze. A lot of folks don't care for mimosas & champagne punches (plus you'll also have male guest there to keep in mind with).

ways to save with booz:
do only domestic beer
do only well liquor
do only house wines

an open bar is definitely NOT a must. I think having a limited bar with some nice options, and then perhaps anything else cash, is absolutely fine, especially that early in the day.

there's a difference between having a cash bar and a limited bar - and at noon, nobody should NEED an open bar, really.

Thanks for the input ladies, it's good to hear the varied responces

Both of our families are from Upstate, we have a group of friends coming from Westchester, but most everyone is local. Open bar is the norm in this area too, I guess if alcohol is there people will drink it.

The idea about a beer/wine bar is a good one, then we cover the guys and the girls - I was having the same concern about men not being into punches

a full selection open bar is NEVER a MUST.
Guests should be coming to your wedding to celebrate not soley to get trashed.
I do think that if you are having alcohol it should be free, but the type of alcohol you have is totally up to you.

I think that a beer/wine/mimosa kind of deal would be perfect especially at your time of day and on a boat no less!

It's a fantastic idea.