Alcohol During the Wedding Ceremony

I think that would be really nice. I'd feel really fancy/special if I went to a wedding and was greeted with champagne and strawberries

I have been to a wedding that did this, It thought it was fine. I dont think I would be handing out shots, LOL! but that is just me You might want to have someone collect all the glass before they actually head into the ceremony. The wedding I went to you ended up holding this empty glass the whole time and or they were all left behind all over the place. In the grass, under chairs, on the chairs, etc.

I would be pretty irritated if I were given strawberries and champagne before the ceremony but had to pay for a glass of wine with my dinner.

My bar will be open for the ceremony. But if someone wants a drink that have to go inside.

ETA You could have ask the question without including the cash bar part. Now people will just focus on that part and not the actual question. Since your wedding is little over a month a way. I assume you pretty stuck on the cash bar thing. So I won't waste my time trying to convince you otherwise.

The price that the restaurant is charging for a bottle of wine or champagne was through the roof. My boss owns a winery and I would be able to get the champagne or wine for a great discount so that is why I thought of providing it at the ceremony.

I agree with @Emmy. Why don't you just host your guests properly at your reception? While I wouldn't mind drinking during the ceremony too, I wouldn't be expecting it - I WOULD expect not to have to pull out my wallet during the reception.

Skip the champagne and strawberries before the ceremony and have beer and wine at the reception. People would much rather have a drink with their dinner.

I would see this as being ok if you had people come early and served drinks before they took their seats but I was find it strange when guests are sitting around with drinks during the ceremony. It's like their at a show or something, not a ceremony.

But I also would be annoyed if there was champagne at the ceremony and everything else was a cash bar. It kind of seems misleading.

Thanks!

It isn't necessary and will add another stress. But like Nikki said, I would feel like a VIP if I had a glass of champagne and strawberries when I arrived at the ceremony. Although it could be a bit misleading having free alcohol at one part and cash bar the rest.

Also if certain people (okay me) heard a rumor that the champagne was the only free alcohol at the event, it could get ugly. As in, drunk during your ceremony ugly.

I don't see a issue with it if you want it and it's allowed. mostly I'd be concerned about people driving afterwards.

I think instead of offering it before the ceremony, you should offer your guests a champagne toast and wine during dinner and at your reception.

A nice gesture.. but I would be confused about receiving champagne at the ceremony & then having to pay for drinks at the reception.

Have you thought about at least providing a limited bar at the reception? Not a full open bar, but some wine, beer or signature cocktail?

I personally wouldn't want people drinking during my reception. It could be distracting and honestly isn't necessary. I agree with a few others and maybe you should get some wine for your reception so that guests can have a drink with dinner rather than serving champagne during the ceremony.

If the ceremony is at the same location as the reception, you probably can't bring alcohol there either.

While champagne flutes would look better in pics than red Solo cups and beer bottles, I'm not a fan.