is alcohol necessary

Original post by Nina_m74

Jul 11, 2007 03:31 PM

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?

Mmnnng Posted: Jul 11, 2007 04:49 PM

Re: is alcohol necessary

As sad as it is....alcohol lets a lot of people relax and loosen up a little...
Not that everyone needs it to have a good time but it does help some guests get on the dance floor when they usually wouldn't...
I would def. serve something and as someone said before one of them should be beer because some people do not drink hard liquor or wine.

A lot of places do a beer and wine package, which would be fine for that time of day!

MikeandLisa Posted: Jul 11, 2007 04:56 PM

Re: is alcohol necessary

IMO, open bar is necessary

jtgarsik Posted: Jul 11, 2007 04:59 PM

Re: is alcohol necessary

i think ur idea for punches, mimosas wine etc. would be really nice. I've been to evening formal weddings where they've only had beer & wine. do what you want....i dont think there's any absolute RULE you have to follow. And with the early afternoon cruise, i really think your idea would be perfect

AS Posted: Jul 11, 2007 05:14 PM

Re: is alcohol necessary

Posted by MikeandLisa

IMO, open bar is necessary

DITTO!!!!!!

davenjess Posted: Jul 11, 2007 05:24 PM

Re: is alcohol necessary

I feel like that the timing of your wedding is the most important part. I have to say my FHs friends are HEAVY drinkers - but even they wouldn't drink before noon!

I think the idea of punches, maybe mimosas and wine is the way to go. It doesn't have to be about the money - maybe just go with a variety of drinks that would appeal to most.... Maybe some special drink you always used to drink, etc..

Maybe a martini bar would be really cute - no one would complain about that being the only alcohol!!!

August12 Posted: Jul 11, 2007 05:43 PM

Re: is alcohol necessary

I think an open bar is a necessity- regardless of the time of day.

MsPotterhead Posted: Jul 11, 2007 06:06 PM

Re: is alcohol necessary

I prefer an open bar personally, but if it is an issue financially, I think it would be fine if you had wine, beer, as well as mimosas/champagne toast. I do not think there should be a cash bar at all -- people shouldn't be spending money at a wedding. Those who want a drink should be satisfied with the above selections.

july06bride Posted: Jul 11, 2007 09:22 PM

Re: is alcohol necessary

I would have an open bar and/or by consumption if you don't think you have a big drinking crowd... BUT, I would NOT have guests paying cash for drinks as an option!

mwarner Posted: Jul 11, 2007 09:38 PM

Re: is alcohol necessary

I think you should have an open bar. People tend to expect it nowadays.

DrWho Posted: Jul 11, 2007 10:41 PM

Re: is alcohol necessary

PSA

Cash bar means that guests pay.
Open bar means that the guests don't pay.
Full bar means that there's a complete range of alcohol/beverages to choose from.
Limited bar means that only certain beverages are available.

Either limited or full is ok, as long as it's not a cash bar.

CourtandJon Posted: Jul 11, 2007 11:14 PM

Re: is alcohol necessary

I think wine and punches and maybe mimosas will be nice.

I agree- def NO cash bar- but I think wine/mimosa's and beer would be great! I don't think people need or SHOULD be drinking kettle one on the rocks at 11am, but a glass of wine or something would be a nice option- and by adding beer it covers most everyone. Also, if there is a friend or relative that only drinks a certain kind of liquor, you may be able to bring it yourself and stash it behind the bar- thats what our RH told us- they would be serving absolute and my grandmother only drinks kettle one, so they said they will try and supply that insead, but we are also open to bring anything that we would like to substitute for the liquor they are providing.

Kris10546 Posted: Jul 11, 2007 11:24 PM

Re: is alcohol necessary

I would let the guests think its open bar, but have a tab instead. I went to a brunch wedding and not many people were drinking because it was just too early. We did drink champagne so maybe you should do something like passed mimosa's and bloody mary's and just have the bar available to people who want something else. It could save you $$ but just get pricing and try to figure it all out!

BoxOfRocks Posted: Jul 12, 2007 12:47 AM

Re: is alcohol necessary

IMHO, it is definitely not necessary to have a full open bar ever. But you shouldn't have a cash bar, either. Better a limited bar or a dry wedding than a cash one.

Your wedding being early in the day is a compelling justification to limit alcohol. The mimosas and punch sound very elegant. Go for it!

MrsB2BE Posted: Jul 12, 2007 08:03 AM

Re: is alcohol necessary

I don't think it is necessary to have a bar. My FH and I do not drink. Our reception is 1-6 and we are having beer/wine only. I don't want people trashed at our wedding and we had to cut costs so we didn't get the open bar.

Kara and Todd Posted: Jul 12, 2007 08:11 AM

Re: is alcohol necessary

I've been to day weddings - almost no one drinks any less than they do at evening weddings. If you can afford it, I think it's a must. After all, you're basically feeding them 'dinner' even though it's lunch time...

At the same time, if money is an issue, then you could do mimosas and wine/champagne or something like that... but if you can afford it, I think an open bar is a must. People will be expecting it. I hate to say it, but it's true.

Kara and Todd Posted: Jul 12, 2007 08:12 AM

Re: is alcohol necessary

Posted by july06bride

I would have an open bar and/or by consumption if you don't think you have a big drinking crowd... BUT, I would NOT have guests paying cash for drinks as an option!

Agreed 100%!

Mizzdimple Posted: Jul 12, 2007 08:55 AM

Re: is alcohol necessary

People drink during the day. I think you should go for it., Put a limit on the bar, that always works...the bar can close when the limit is reached.

Nina_m74 Posted: Jul 12, 2007 08:58 AM

Re: is alcohol necessary

I wouldn't have a cash bar, that wasn't a consideration, I would never invite someone to my home and charge them for a drink and I feel inviting them to the wedding and charging is the same thing.

I was more debating what would be appropriate to offer at that time of day and ways to cut some costs. I'm not concerned about impressing people with what we offer, but I do want everyone to be comforable and enjoy themselves.

Honestly I don't want people getting drunk at the wedding - it's on a boat, the reception is only 2 hours (not a lot of time to sober up), it's a minimum of an hour drive for all of our guests and there are a handful of people I don't trust to know their limits.

I really like the suggestions to do beer/wine with some punches or signature drinks - thanks ladies

Kara and Todd Posted: Jul 12, 2007 09:06 AM

Re: is alcohol necessary

I like the tab idea, but if you have a crowd of heavy drinkers, an hour or two of a tab could kill you.

At my brother's RD, we had a 4 hour party. My parents assumed people would leave early and paid for open bar for the first 3 hours and put the last hour on their tab. (Obviously my parents were paying for the whole thing and the guests did not know how it was arranged)

My SIL's family (and heck, ours, too!) were young and excited - and stayed to the last minute. They were ordering everything they could to the last minute. The last hour bar tab was equal to the cost of open bar for the first 3 hours.

Maybe you could do ulimited beer, wine, soda, champagne, and mimosas and then run a tab on the liquor? Most people will likely drink the wine / beer anyway... but you know your guests best!

Mmnnng Posted: Jul 12, 2007 09:11 AM

Re: is alcohol necessary

Posted by Kara and Todd

I like the tab idea, but if you have a crowd of heavy drinkers, an hour or two of a tab could kill you.

At my brother's RD, we had a 4 hour party. My parents assumed people would leave early and paid for open bar for the first 3 hours and put the last hour on their tab. (Obviously my parents were paying for the whole thing and the guests did not know how it was arranged)

My SIL's family (and heck, ours, too!) were young and excited - and stayed to the last minute. They were ordering everything they could to the last minute. The last hour bar tab was equal to the cost of open bar for the first 3 hours.

Maybe you could do ulimited beer, wine, soda, champagne, and mimosas and then run a tab on the liquor? Most people will likely drink the wine / beer anyway... but you know your guests best!

Thats a great idea! People do it all the time @ my restaurant for parties...Everyone will be happy and most likely will drink the beer and wine anyway!