- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee boards
What you're doing really is fine! I'm not a fan of cash bars, I'll admit, but as long as you provide SOMETHING, it's totally fine! I'm perfectly happy drinking beer or wine all night, and would greatly appreciate the host providing that :)
I'll admit that as a liquor drinker I personally would be kind of bummed to not have a complete open bar. BUT, I think it's best that you do what you can with your budget. You are providing some sort of alcohol to your guests and allowing them to purchase different drinks if they aren't happy with the selection, so don't feel bad about it at all.
Most people would be totally fine drinking only beer or wine (I'm a wine only girl, myself!). I think what oyu're doing is 100% fine. You are hosting drinks for your guests - it will be fine! :-)
Will you be providing non-alcoholic drinks as well? Like soda? I don't drink beer or wine, though I do drink liquor, but i wouldn't have a problem with just a beer/wine open bar as long as I had another option since I wouldn't drink either of those. I agree with PP as long as you provide something for your guests, thats fine and you are not being cheap!
No, you're not being cheap. You had to draw the line somewhere.
I LOVE that you can still purchase other drinks (because I prefer liquor) or you have the option of free beer and wine. It's a win for everyone.
We did the same thing - it was totally fine! No one missed it at all, everybody was able to find something they liked. Don't worry about it. (And we didn't bother saying anything about it beforehand Went fine.)
I don't think you're being cheap at all. We're only doing beer and wine, but spreding via word of mouth that our friends are welcome to BYOB if they want something else. We can do the byob because we're having an outdoor tented reception. You're guests have the option to purchase hard liquor drinks if they so choose. I think you're super good to go.
The event coordinator at my venue (one of the nicer venues in my area) said that open bar is less and less common nowadays because of the economy. She often sees people who do a completely open bar for cocktail hour and then switch to beer & wine (and non-alcoholic drinks) for the rest of the reception, with cocktails available for purchase. We're doing a similar thing because we just can't afford it, plus I think many guests drink beer or wine anyway. I know how you feel though...
I've been to several weddings that were served just beer and wine (without the option of buying hard alcohol) and they were all super-fun and everyone imbibed plenty with zero complaints of no booze...Don't stress, no one will care!
Regardless of what other posters think - they don't usually live in your area nor are they invited to your wedding. You have to do what is within your budget. I think it's totally fine to have only beer and wine.
Perhaps some signage on the bar would be a subtle way to indicate that it's only beer and wine. I'd do something like this:
"BEER
(listing of options)
WINE
(listing of options)
Mixed drinks are available for purchase at (direct them to other location)."
Not at all! Im sure everyone will be more than happy with that! your guest will be getting more hosted choices then ours!
Ditto on what camrie said! =)
I think people will be happy with whatever they are provided. Even happier if they have the option to purchase what is not provided free to them.
I feel your pain as this is exactly what I struggled with over the weekend. And all the bees were kind enough to set my mind at ease. You're not being cheap. You are doing what you can with what you have. (As am I!) But you are providing your guests with some options and paying for drinks for them. That is kind and generous.
I am toying with the idea of making my own signs to put on the tables and in the bar area saying what is available. You can either say on the signs that other drinks are available for a small fee, or you can not mention it at all. Your call.
But seriously, everyone set my mind at ease about this and I want to do the same for you. Hosting any kind of bar for your guests is generous. You aren't cheap. And you're still a great hostess.
I think your plan is fine! We're only having beer, wine, sangria and non-alcoholic drinks. The wedding is at my FMIL's house and if anything were to happen with someone drinking too much and driving home she would be legally responsible so we wanted to provide drinks but not in excessive amounts.
As far as letting people know- I think Camrie's idea is great. Jsut a small sign on the bar or area where the drinks will be served will let them know the deal.
@camrie: Great idea about the sign on the bar! I may have to incorporate that, too.
We are doing the same thing for our wedding, we are providing beer, wine and soda and if they want any other drinks they can purchase them. This is more common in my area I think. Every wedding I have been to has been that way, and I've always had a great time. It is much more important to stick to your budget than paying for an open bar. The way I see it you are inviting them to a party to celebrate your marriage, you can't possibly please every single person with the food, drinks, timing, music etc. On our reception card (that is going out with the invites) we put "Soda, Beer, and Wine provided". I think on the website I will add that addtional drinks will be available for purchase, just so people can come prepared.
@PaperCrane: Just FYI you should check out the below website about wedding insurance. Despite the fact that my wedding was not an at home wedding AND my in-laws paid for shuttles to and from the hotel so no one would have to drive my worry wort mother was still concerned about liability if someone drank too much and drove. We got something like 2mm in wedding insurance which covered cancellation AND alcohol liability and it was really reasonably priced. Just something to think about if it would put your in-laws at ease. http://www.wedsafe.com/
My venue actually didn't serve liquor at all, but the provided unlimited beer and wine in the per person price, along with water and iced tea. it was enough to keep everyone on the dance floor having a great time!
@Moose1209: You can also get wedding insurance through your homeowner's insurance provider. It is considerably cheaper than going through a 3rd party provider.
Going alcohol free is acceptable, so people shouldn't feel cheated by a wine and beer bar. If it makes you feel better, I won't be serving ANY alcohol at my wedding. My parents are t-totalers, my boyfriend wants to get married in my hometown, and my parents' yard is really the only acceptable venue. Can't even have wine on the tables for toasts! (I will be sneaking two bottles of champagne to the head table, though. I hate crowds and being the center of attention, so a wee bit of liquid courage will do me some good. The other option is carrying a flask of rum in my garter.)
Dude, you're providing FREE ALCOHOL to your guests. Just because it isn't every kind of booze under the sun, doesn't make you cheap.
Ok, you guys are making me feel SO much better about our decision - thank you!
I actually love that idea. We were only going to have Baileys/Coffee, mimosas, wine, beer and non-alcoholic drinks available because we're having a morning ceremony and an afternoon reception. I'm going to ask the venue if we can have a cash bar for those who might want to purchase other drinks because I was a little worried myself that people might be upset if they didn't have more choices. I'm not a drinker so to me it doesn't matter. So I say go for it, and I'm doing it too! :)
@baldor1: Our venue had us check both... for a $2 million liability policy, our homeouwners insurance was $450+, and wedsafe.com was $235. (She said homeowners used to charge less, but have jacked up the prices over the last several years.)
this is actually a pretty awesome option if you can't do the full out bar, because not only are you generously providing beer and wine, but guests who DO want alcohol can do so with the discrete location of the cash bar.
What?! Psh, you're providing a drink for your guests. You don' thave to tell them WHAT it is, but you ARE providing an adult beverage. Seriously do not feel cheap.
Definitely fine! This is by far the most common option in Australia - in fact I'm not sure I've ever been to a wedding where the spirits were free! Normally there's a beer (or 2 or 3), a red, a white and a sparkling white which are free (plus sodas, juice etc), and if you want anything different you pay. I don't think anyone can complain!
You are not being cheap! I just went to a wedding where the beer and wine was hosted but cocktails were cash if people wanted them. No one complained, I had 4 glasses of wine and was as happy as can be :)
Id put up a small sign at the bar saying that wine and beer are complimentary and cocktails are available on a cash basis or something like that. That way no one orders a cocktail and is surprised when they have to pay for it, or they dont have the money to pay for it.
We're doing just beer and wine. I can't imagine anyone complaining.
You are SO cheap. Just kidding. That you are providing any type of alcohol would make me very very happy. Especially if it is good wine. But then again, I am a wine-o.
I hope there isn't a problem. We are doing the same thing. Beer and wine only. Maybe a champagne toast. I hate champagne but I think a wine toast maybe disappointing to the guests. You surely aren't being cheap at all. You have covered all your bases.
You aren't being cheap at all! I've been to more weddings that were beer/wine only than weddings that had a full open bar. We are doing the same exact thing. If people want liquor, then there is an option to purchase it. I will also say that the few weddings that I've been to with a full open bar turned into quite the drunkfest. Not saying that there wasn't heavy drinking at the other receptions, it was just a bit more tamed. Don't second guess yourself!
You must log in to post.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| MissBoPeep | 94 |
| ndreighton | 77 |
| hisgoosiegirl | 56 |
| beargoose | 55 |
| Mrs.KMM | 46 |
| akp0702 | 42 |
| BetterSherm | 42 |
| MrsBlueSeptember | 41 |
| MrsPom | 37 |
| Beckster329 | 37 |
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| Sassafraskate | 4 |
| BetterSherm | 3 |
| nerdysarah | 3 |
| everalwaysrealtrue | 2 |
| akp0702 | 2 |
| fishbone | 2 |
| chicky99 | 2 |
| julies1949 | 1 |
| hisbahamamama | 1 |
| KateByDesign | 1 |
I know bar decisions threads can get pretty heated on here, hopefully this one won't. FI and I have decided to to beer/wine only at the reception to save money. Our guests WILL be able to go to another part of the restaurant to order mixed drinks if that is what they want to do.
Well, now I'm feeling "cheap" with this decision. Please tell me that what we're doing is fine!
Also, how do we let people know it's beer/wine only?