alcohol without a bartender?

I would just put a couple of bottles of wine on each table along with the sparkling wine (number depends on how many people sitting there) and have the beer in coolers.

We're doing our reception in a hotel suite (~40 people), and just going to have pre-chilled the sparkling wine and beer and have it in the kitchenette for people.

Oh, and I definitely attended a wedding a few years ago with the set-up you're describing. I don't remember how we opened the wine; there were some people there serving food, so they might have come around and opened the wine bottles, too, but you could also just provide some corkscrews.

My brother got married last year and he was on a really tight budget. He ended up bringing a homemade bar that my dad made for him (I think it cost my dad $100 to make with wood and stain) and had one of his friends bartend for him. It actually turned out better than we thought it was going to be. It's a thought, probably not the best one though...

My friends made sort of a wooden trough for the coolers that they had all the beer iced in, so it hid the tacky plastic. It looked something like the ones on this website:

http://tsocowboycountrycoolers.com/index.htm

He's a handy guy so was able to make it himself on the cheap. They had a cowboy themed wedding, so it fit, but maybe it gives you an idea or two.

You could easily just have corkscrews on the tables for the wine.

I think that would be fine as along as you just have beer and wine. Mix drinks would get more complicated. We are only doing beer and wine which we are providing ourselves. But our venue is requiring us to use a bar tender from a certain company. It is due to liability issues. Something to consider.

You might want to check with your local liqour licensing board first. I know in Canada you have to have a licensed bartender in order to obtain a liqour permit.

Def. check with your local liquor licensing. Other wise sounds fine to me.

We're having a Keg, no bartender, but I've been to a really nice wedding where they had a keg and a tub with ice in it with wine, champagne, etc.. and u just pick what you want, they had a few guys "manning" the area and helped you with your selection, but it was just like the bride/groom's family....

Speaking from experience with licensing (My employer is the State agency for Alcoholic Beverage Control), check with the Florida (that's where you are from, right?) ABC. Also are you offering the number to taxis or cabs? Or is the reception being held in the same place the majority of the people are staying? If not you might want to come up with a way to make sure no one is getting wasted and then driving. Maybe limit the amount you offer at any given time. I see these issues come up a lot in my work. Not trying to imply you aren't responsible just some things people don't always think about.

Other than that I think the idea of serve yourself wine/beer is great and it is a great way to save money.

Thanks everyone. I will check if we have to have a licence, not sure. if so we may try to save money elsewhere. I want my guest safe. but you guys have given me a lot of great ideas! thanks!

I am doing a destination wedding and my budget is higher, than some, but I am still watching on not overspending. So - I am taking out Bartender. I will have 2 regular waiters, which will be just filling out our glasses with whatever we will ask! So.. No mixed drinks, but only straight drinks. We'll buy Vodka, Red Wine, White Wine, Champagne, Whiskey, Cognac. Juices too. If someone wants a little mix.

We did the self serve bar with hard liquor also! A few of our good friends opened the wine bottles as necessary. Our friends and family did not over drink. So it was fine and everyone was really very happy with the abundance of choices. If hard liquor, make sure you have enough mixers.

Actually, the bottled beer especially was popular and easy to serve, then the red wine. Good luck. I think it will work out. Maybe get a 2-3 people to take turns being in charge of the Bar, just to stock up and stuff. I also placed my close friends near the Bar, not the suspected possible over drinkers though. ;p

What we're doing: Back yard on a deck, we will have a buffet table for food, which the soft drinks will be near, the 2Lt bottles of coke will be set up on a table, with a stack of cups near it, and for ice, I bought a beverage tub (target, partycity)to stick the ice in, and then the caterers will help out by replenishing the ice, we are haveing the same thing for our alcohol bar, but at the other end of dance floor, just a table with bevreage tub full of ice, with the liquor bottles on top of the table, and coke/sprite for mixing, and cups, and for beer, we have a HUGE tub we're gunna fill it with ice and stick the beer in it, the helpers will refil the beer when needed, and another table with the beverage tub filled with ice holding wine. Hope our ideas help!!!

What we're doing: Back yard on a deck, we will have a buffet table for food, which the soft drinks will be near, the 2Lt bottles of coke will be set up on a table, with a stack of cups near it, and for ice, I bought a beverage tub (target, partycity)to stick the ice in, and then the caterers will help out by replenishing the ice, we are haveing the same thing for our alcohol bar, but at the other end of dance floor, just a table with bevreage tub full of ice, with the liquor bottles on top of the table, and coke/sprite for mixing, and cups, and for beer, we have a HUGE tub we're gunna fill it with ice and stick the beer in it, the helpers will refil the beer when needed, and another table with the beverage tub filled with ice holding wine. Hope our ideas help!!!

Yeah that does help. if I don't have to havee a bartender, I'll prob do something like that.

I think it's a great one !