Bar Closed During Dinner

I don't think it's unreasonable. I would ask if there's a self-serve area where people could get their own tea, water, soft drinks, etc. during dinner. Or if waitstaff can do refills.

Why would you do this? Do not have your friend bartend your wedding. Do not close the bar during dinner.

Would people still be able to get a drink during dinner from a waiter?

My cousin did this but didn't warn anyone.. I angrily drank water with my dinner. I almost went downstairs to the paid bar to get a drink but decided to wait. I would not recommend it.

I don't think it's unheard of. My venue coordinator brought it up to us when we were choosing a package, but I can't speak for whether it is tacky or not. I don't know. I personally wouldn't be offended but I would have enough sense to get a glass of wine before it closed. ETA if your friend is actually a guest, hire a bartender, problem solved.

This seems likely to cause confusion to the guests. If you want your bartender friend involved in the wedding you could see if she would create a cocktail for you (instead of having her work).

Every wedding I have gone to the bar closed during dinner but still served wine to the tables. This was also true of every venue I looked into around me

I've been to weddings where the bar was closed during dinner. I can say that it helps if there are also bottles of wine on the table for consumption during dinner. Otherwise, if you didn't get a refill right before the bar closed you're out of luck and dinner can last a long time.

Closing the bar at dinner is not uncommon at venues. However, when this is done wine is usually placed the table so guests can have it with their meal. Do you have a contract with the bartender? If she was not bartending would you have invited her to the wedding?

This is a good reason not to use a friendor. I would just invite this friend as a guest and have a regular bartender who you don't know. Closing the bar during dinner is definitely something that some people do, but I consider it to be on the rude side. We kept ours open throughout the meal and people were up and down refreshing their drinks the entire time. I vote don't close the bar.

My venue requires the open bar to close during dinner, but there will be unlimited white and red wine at the tables during the meal... people like something to drink with their meal

Don't have your friend bartend and don't close the bar. I like Dot's idea; let her create a cocktail for you!

At the venues I'm in, when the bar even close for 10 minutes to move them to the reception room, the guests get crazy.

I've had a friend do this at her wedding and you really don't notice because it's during dinner and everyone got their drinks before hand. She had a sit down dinner if that helped that had champagne at every table.

Celia, my FH would go crazy. He does not drink wine, and would be super annoyed if the bar was closed during dinner!

Our bar will be closed during dinner which is typically how I have saw it at most weddings I have been to.

We had to have two bartenders so that this didn't happen as they get their break during dinner. We have been to lots of weddings where this has happened but it was always announced before hand so you could stock up

I forgot to drink at my wedding so I'm not sure if they closed our bar or not. I'm sure they did. But every wedding I have been to has done this to allow the couple their dance and the speeches to go on uninterrupted. There was always wine at the tables and we had glasses of champagne as well for the toast. And everyone I know crowds the bar right before getting seated so they get their refill before dinner. I think this is pretty standard and expected.

I tend to get my drink during dinner because there is no line, so I'd be upset on a fully closed bar. I feel if you announce it there would be a mad dash. If you are dead set on the friend as a bartender, could she bring a bar back with her to help stock/set up that could manage the bar in her absence? That way you don't have to fully close but she can get something to eat. I know she is a friend but you are hiring her so she shouldn't also be considered a guest.

What happens if a guest needs a refill with their food?

I just went to a wedding over the weekend and they had the bar closed for 30 minutes during cocktail hour. I have NO IDEA why but it was stupid. Yeah, I can handle 30 minutes without alcohol but it's super annoying.

Eta: @Beklynn is right. There was a super long line once they opened up again.