Hi Ladies, I need some advice. I am having my wedding at a vineyard and I have to bring everything in myself.
I am working with a caterer who will provide bartenders. I also have to purchase and serve the wine form the vineyard. My caterer suggested doing only the wine and a beer bar. I am hesitant about this because I don't want guests to be upset if there is no hard alcohol. My caterer said that in her experience when people go to vineyard weddings everyone drinks the wine and even when girls go out and purchase all the alcohol for a top shelf open bar no one really drinks it anyway. She suggested that if I really feel uncomfortable to do just a signature cocktail such as a martini etc.
Please give me your honest opinions about this. Also, if I did just a signature cocktail what would you like? I don't really anything but beer so I have no idea! TIA.
LitBallerinaGirl
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Re: Open bar?
not such a bad idea.
Kara and Todd
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I think it really depends on your guests! I don't see any problem with a wine and beer bar, especially if it is at a vineyard.
That said, there are people in my family who wouldn't like it if there were no hard liquor -- because that's just what they drink. (Think older and stuck in their ways! )
At the same time, though, I think most people would be fine with beer and wine... It really depends on your crowd. If you can afford the liquor, personally, for good form, I would offer it. If it's not in your budget, then I don't think it's bad to offer the beer and wine -- a signature cocktail would be a nice touch, too, and a good middle ground if you choose to go the wine/beer route.
the future mrs m
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it's a vineyard- you are already paying out of your arse. wine and beer it is!
westhamptonwedding
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We too have to buy all of our wine and liquor because we are hosting the reception at our house. Quite often, you can buy a bunch of liquor and return what you didn't use to the liquor store, so you pay the least amount.
What about the idea of simply having the open bar during the cocktail hour and beer and wine after that? That way... people who need their gin and tonic or other cocktail can have it at the beginning of the night. Just a thought!
Summer07Bride
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Posted by Kara and Todd
I think it really depends on your guests! I don't see any problem with a wine and beer bar, especially if it is at a vineyard.
That said, there are people in my family who wouldn't like it if there were no hard liquor -- because that's just what they drink. (Think older and stuck in their ways! )
At the same time, though, I think most people would be fine with beer and wine... It really depends on your crowd. If you can afford the liquor, personally, for good form, I would offer it. If it's not in your budget, then I don't think it's bad to offer the beer and wine -- a signature cocktail would be a nice touch, too, and a good middle ground if you choose to go the wine/beer route.
I agree. If you know your guests are expecting hard liquor, I say pick some up. If it goes unopened, you have stuff for your personal bar.
Kris10546
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Honestly, you should price it out to have it available. Have bottles of wine on the table for the guests and they will probably drink that. Before you buy the alcohol from a place, see if it is returnable if unopened and you might be able to do it and just buy a bunch of it and return what is unused so you dont have a zillion bottles of liquor in your place forever. Also, only buy a few types of popular alcohol so it can make a bunch of different drinks ie, vodka, rum, gin, etc and you will have most guests covered. I had to make sure that my RH will have a bottle of VO on hand because my grandpa and great uncle only drink that so that is something that they have to have for my wedding.
FalNBill
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I dont think have a signitaure cocktail is a bad idea... if you could pick two i think it would be ideal
twinkle164
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I went to a wedding out a the vineyards a couple of years ago and the only served beer and wine. I don't think anyone minded. I know I didn't.
rkl1130
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Consider your crowd. If many are expecting hard liquor and drink cocktails, then it might not hurt to buy a few bottles of the necessities (vodka, gin, whiskey, etc...). Ordinarily, they can sell it to you at the case price and you can return anything that is unopened.
I do, however, like the idea of a signature cocktail and just keeping the wine and beer. I'm sure if you do something like that not only will you be saving yourself money but people won't even miss the other stuff.
aimes1313
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Like several other posters mentioned, it depends on your crowd.
I have to stock the bar at the hall we rented also. My family are big drinkers, but don't vary too much. I'm going to offer beer, wine, champagne, captain morgan, and 2-3 types of martinis. It's not a full bar, but it covers the popular drinks in my family.
fallchick
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Thanks for the advice ladies! Luckily the majority of my crowd drinks wine or beer with only a few the may expect some hard alcohol. I am definitely going to price out the alcohol and see if it is returnable.
milana
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I think having wine,beer, and a signature cocktail is a really good idea. I mean, if i were going to a wedding at a vineyard, i would drink wine. It makes sense to me
betani
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if you're gonna buy liquor, buy it from costco or something (cheaper) and you can always return any unopened bottles.
tinadansr
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I like hte signature cocktail idea! I would do too classics like a martini and something else? Just put your own spin on them.
LB and DC
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i think a signature cocktail is a great idea. IMO, the people who won't be drinking the wine or beer will be women (i don't know a guy that doesn't like beer!) so a sig cocktail like a pomegranate cosmo or something would be a great idea!
ewickens
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The idea for a signature drink is nice. This way, you cna buy a few bottles of the hard liquor that's needed for it.
The wine and beer will be crowd pleasers, but you know your family best - would this be okay for them!
futuremrsfab
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Beautiful location- my cousin got married there last year- she had only wine and beer and we didn't miss the alcohol at all- we expected it to be all wines- i think hard alcohol would have diminished the location.
if you have any other questions, feel free to fm and i can ask her anything you like!
poogie
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I am having a signature drink(s) Mohita and Martinis with wine and beer and just having the rum; scotch; vodka for mixed drinks
