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People can't get too drunk in an hour! This is what I would do. Have the bar open for cocktail hour from 5:30-6:30. Then close the bar during dinner to allow people to eat and fill their stomachs with something other than booze. Then reopen the bar from 8-11 (and have it closed for the last hour). Then people aren't drinking the whole night through. And closing the bar early means people have a chance to sober up before driving home. And, you've only used the 4 hours so you're not paying extra.
I would just have a signature cocktail. Plus that way you know how much alcohol is in each drink. I also like Moose1209's option. Having the bar closed an hour before the night ends is a good way to get people to sober up and to let them know that the night is winging down.
If I had to choose paying for an open bar during cocktail hour or the final hour - I would choose the final hour. I think during the cocktail hour more people will be drinking. It's beginning of the night and those who will only drink 1 or 2 drinks will probably get one during cocktail hour. Also, those older guests - who may not last until midnight, will be drinking in the beginning and maybe won't be there later. Our venue luckily had a price per person with drinks included that covered the whole night!
We're giving our bartenders headshots of my FMIL with strict instructions to water down the drinks.
LOL I thought I'd add a little humor to the thread...although we have seriously discussed this, as we have some 'potential' drunkards in attendance.
I think that if you are that concerned about that many people, I would definitely go with Moose's suggestion. Close the bar during dinner, and maybe strictly instruct your bartender to not serve alcohol to anyone who seems inebriated. I think most places have policies like this in place anyway.
Depends on the number of folks, but we had folks that got quite tipsy within the first 2 hours, they had to go home early. If you have food and things are spread out enough, then you should be okay. If anything (and I had this discussion with one of my bar tenders), simply make sure the drinks aren't too strong, that'll avoid getting liquored up so quickly.
I'm instructing the bar to not serve shots. I don't think shots are appropriate at a wedding, and I don't want my guests getting wasted... although I do want them to have a good time. Other than that, I like Moose's suggestion...
I think I would prefer keeping the bar open later... but then don;t know what to do during the cocktail hour? Maybe serve punch? apple cider? I like all the ideas... keep them coming :)
I'd check with your venue about if you are even allowed to keep the bar open all the way until midnight. Many places require you to close down the bar X amount of time before the end of an event for safety reasons (giving people some time without alcoholic drinks to sober up some - not that I think your guests are going to drive drunk or anything).
I think you could just have punch, lemonade, pop, water, etc during the first hour, but you can't really call it a cocktail hour if you aren't serving cocktails! 
Yeah, you could do a signature cocktail that has very little alcohol in it.
Hopefully people won't pound alcohol in the first hour!!!
Ya I hope people won't pound back alcohol in the first hour, but unfortunately know some people who will... :S
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Just a question...
our reception hall includes 4 hours of open bar with our all-inclusive package, and then we pay for all alcohol consumed beyond that time frame. I am concerned about a few alcoholics in my family, and some cousins (and sister!) who are not aware of appropriate alcohol consumption at a wedding, and would likely become fall-down drunk very quickly... so... I need some help!!
Our cocktail hour is 5:30-6:30
dinner 7-8pm
dancing, fun 8pm-12am
sp... we were thinking about just having the open bar during the last part of the evening, with unlimited wine with dinner. But then, for the cocktail hour... what should we serve to drink??? Should I suck it up and open the bar, and just PRAY that people don't get drunk before dinner... or do I come up with another alternative to serve during that time, non-alcoholic to keep dinner appropriate??? There are about 15 people that I am concerned about their behaviour when they get drunk, and worried that it would ruin dinner, speeches or first dance.
What can we do during cocktail hour??? We are having an autumn wedding, indoors! There will be plenty of food at cocktail hour as well!
thanks for any and all input or advice???