Bar Bill

I don't think you should pick and choose who you're providing an open bar for.

No. That has potential to cause some drama that can totally be avoided.

I agree would it would be best if everyone is treated the same. Could you just offer unlimited beer, wine, and soda to everyone? Daughter attended a wedding where immediately following the ceremony, the venue staff brought out a big tray of champagne for the wedding party and immediate family members, served it to them while the rest of the guests stood around, and then they started offering toasts.... SO awkward. There was a cash bar available to the rest of the guests, but it was on another level of the venue. Later in the night, the wedding party was served for free while others were charged. She said there was a lot of confusion and eye rolling....

View Quoted Comment So agree with this.

I would not give the wedding party free liquor or wine if your other guests aren’t getting the same.

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Wow! That just sounds like a mess!

If I were in your position, I would offer beer, wine and soda to all guests.

I would also see if the venue can do some sort of "Drink Ticket" and you could provide your wedding party with them to get a few "free" drinks at the bar.

If your having hard liquor, usually you will get a bill for whatever you drink. Ive been debating having open bar for a couple hours and doing beer and wine...but I still have a lot of time to figure that out, But back to your question, when I asked my vendor almost that same thing, she said they would keep a separate tally

Thanks everyone! I wasn’t sure what to do at all as I don’t drink and so I don’t really know what the bar set up is like at weddings really.

View Quoted Comment Oh wow! I had no idea that was even a thing. The weddings I’ve been to have all been free beer (one kind on tap) and then a cash bar. Thank you for sharing, it really helps put it into perspective of other guests.

If you want to offer drinks for them do it while getting ready. I agree with pp that there can be some confusion if you have just free drinks for them.

I honestly would pay for the wedding party's drinks. Because odds are they've paid for their attire and the bachelor/bachelorette parties so give this one to them

I would either offer a full bar to everyone or just offer the beer and soda to everyone. I would not recommend picking and choosing who you buy drinks for. Maybe add some wine or a couple signature drinks to help keep costs down and offer more choices.

I would give your wedding party a drink ticket for 1-2 free drinks. They went way beyond what all other guest are doing, paying for attire, hair/makeup, bachorette, showers, etc. I also think you should offer beer and wine (most common) as a lot of people don't drink beer. BUT everything should obviously be what works best for you and your crowd. If mos like just beer, then you are fine.

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I think this is your best option to make the most amount of people happy. There are a lot of people who can't/won't drink beer but will drink wine, and one signature cocktail decreases your cost over a full bar considerably.

I've been to plenty of weddings where the bride/groom paid for the bridal party to have open bar and the guests only had free beer/wine/soda and had to pay for anything other than that. As a guest, I never paid attention if other people had to pay for their drinks or not.

I think they should be the 1st to receive drinks for so hard they work while you was planning with this wedding. If you doing for the guest then you should do it for them.