Alcohol Questions

I think it's awesome you are having sodas and juices too. I don't drink and I've been to multiple weddings where that meant I had water all night long. No fun!

I think beer and wine are plenty! Plus, having the other options may confuse your guests, and they may order without having money on them.

I think it depends on the setting. My reception is at a restaurant for lunch. I am providing beer and wine. We have a private party room but a guest could easily go to the main bar if they really want liquor. I am not going to prevent anyone from doing that.

ETA: Swin that is strange. I always thought soft drinks were included. Our meal package included coffee, soda, tea, juice, and water.

I'm sure your guests will be just fine with beer and wine. Nobody NEEDS a fancy cocktail, yamean?

It depends on your crowd, I think. For the most part, FH and I would be fine with beer and wine, as would our guests, but we'd like to provide liquor, too.

Again, beer and wine is definitely fine, though.

What about providing a signature drink?

Can you do one of two signature cocktails? Anything available to a guest should be paid for. A consumption bar is also possible where you pick up the tab for anyone's individual drinks. You really have to evaluate the drinking habits of your crowd to figure out what works best for you.

Miami, for the most part it's been weddings where the bride and groom buy their own alcohol and I guess just forget about water? The crazy thing is, other options will actually bring the cost DOWN because soda is cheaper and it lets people drink other things, not just alcohol all night.

This may be UO, but I think as long as the beer and wine is free it's okay to offer a cash bar for mixed drinks. Some people truly hate beer and wine, so having something else available for purchase I think is okay. We are doing just beer and wine for other reasons, but as long as you provide something for free you're good in my book. You shouldn't have to pay $700+ for a full open bar for the couple of people who want a mixed drink or aren't happy with free beer and wine.

Wine and beer are fine. That's it.

MrsAF: That's the exact scenario where a consumption bar makes sense. Pick up the tab for the few folks who want liquor. Having guests open their wallets means that some will be hosted differently, if they can afford drinks. Not a fan.

@Swin. I usually have a few beers and switch to water, so yeah, I would be pissed if there wasn't at least water. Also that is a great way to ensure you have a lot of hung over guests the next day.

Wine and beer are fine.

@alwaysmrs definitely agree, provided the venue allows a consumption bar. Mine only allows a pp price. Should have specified that in my comment to her.

Beer & wine are good enough. I think it will just confuse people if you do both.

If you can't pay for both, just do beer and wine. It's confusing to guests to have one be hosted and have to pay for the other. Can you add a signature drink to your beer and wine package?

No cash bar. Just do beer and wine then.

Wine and beer are fine. As a guest if I had to pay for a specific drink I wanted (like a french martini with vanilla stoli) I'd be ok with that.

Thanks for all the info!!

I always like having the option to purchase a hard alcoholic beverage if I do not care for the beer and wine offered.