Post # 1
Member
20 posts
Newbee
I’m 51 weeks out from the big day, and I fortunately have a lot of the big things nailed down – venue, caterer, photographer, dress, etc. – and I can hardly wait!
Now I’m turning my eyes towards the details, and one of the bigger details I need to get squared away is the bar. With our guest list, the bar can really make our break the night.
Fortunately for us, our venue will allow us to bring in our own alcohol if we so choose. I’m thinking this may be one way for us to keep down our costs, but would love some feedback from other Chicago brides.
Did you buy your own liquor?
Are there any good wholesale places that open to the public?
Post # 3
Member
4824 posts
Honey bee
not sure about hard alcohol, but you cant get a better deal for quality vs price than Trader Joe’s wine.
I would also suggest going to a largest liquor store near you and ask to speak with a manager and ask them what discount they will give you if you order from them. Do that to a few and let them know what the discount the other place offered you to see if they will match it.
The fewer options you provide, the more bottles of one kind of alcohol you will need and the more likely you are to get a deal vs getting only a few of 3 dozen things.
Post # 4
Member
20 posts
Newbee
@lefeymw: Thanks for the tip! That sounds like a good place to start.
Post # 5
Member
197 posts
Blushing bee
Yes! We bought all our wine from Trader Joe’s! We are just having beer and wine, and we just ordered kegs from the nearest liquor store in case we need to pick up more.
Post # 6
Member
4336 posts
Honey bee
Isn’t the price of liquor (not beer/wine) monitored by the state or something? Isn’t that why some liquor stores make a big deal about “liquor at state minimum.” ?
(If that’s true, then I’m not sure how much you’ll be able to bargain with them.)
Post # 7
Member
3344 posts
Sugar bee
You can buy liquor at Costco without being a member. A staff member may or may not escort you.
Post # 8
Member
20 posts
Newbee
@red_rose: Is that true nationwide? I’ve never heard that in Illinois. Then again, I’ve never really looked into wholesale liquor before.
@JoJo Bananas: I had no idea that you could do that at Costco. That makes me quite happy!
@funkyone8604: Good call for wine! I love our local Trader Joe’s!
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