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Jackie
Dedicated April 2021

Bar options for reception

Jackie, on December 9, 2020 at 8:55 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 11

So we have invited 50 guest to our destination wedding (within in the US) out of the 50 we are expecting around 30 max to attend. We need some advice on bar options. What would be our cheaper option VS what is too much based on our guest count. (I don't think we will need a keg! haha). I don't think out of the estimated 30 will all drink.

Do I estimate 10 wont drink, 10 will have 1-3 , and 10 heavy drinkers?

or maybe 15 non-drinkers, 10 moderate drinkers, 5 heavy drinkers, sound more accurate?

I'm going to list the bar pricing and options they offer us.

-HOST/OPEN BAR or CASH BAR AVAILABLE

Bartender Fee: $75 for 3 hours of continuous service (additional time added at $25 per hour)

Bar Setup Fee: $100 House Choice of Alcohol

Pricing: Domestic Drafts by the Pint: 4.00

Craft Drafts by the Pint: 5.00

Domestic Beer by the Can: 3.00

Craft Beer by the Can: 4.00

Wine by the Glass: 7.00

Premium Liquor by the Glass: 8.00

Top Shelf Liquor by the Glass: 9.00

Cannned Beer by the Case Domestic Cans by the Case: 40.00

Craft Cans by the Case: 50.00

Wine by the Bottle:*Pricing varies from $25 - $35 per bottle Liquor

Premium Liquor by the Glass: 8.00

Top Shelf Liquor by the Glass: 9.00

**Other beers available and can be requested. When left at House Choice there is no guarantee of a specific beer being supplied for an event. For specific requests to be guaranteed, guest must purchase by the case or by the keg.

**Craft Cocktails may be arranged in advance. The cost will depend on the cocktail chosen.

11 Comments

Latest activity by Jackie, on December 10, 2020 at 11:48 AM
  • Dallas
    Devoted November 2020
    Dallas ·
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    I will say, we had 50 guests attend, and we anticipated 30 to drink. We had SO much alcohol left over, which we bought all the alcohol ourself so we brought it all home. To keep it cheaper, I would just recommend a beer (or two-three types) and a red and white wine. You know you’re guests though! So my guests out of the 30 I knew 5 that drank wine, so I bought one box of wine. And left with more than Half of the box remaining. All of our guests drink either ultra or Miller, so we only offered those types of beers. Hope that helps you some!
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  • Mrs. Spring
    Master April 2021
    Mrs. Spring ·
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    It all depends on how well you know your guests' drinking habbits.
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  • Michelle
    Master April 2021
    Michelle ·
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    Agree with the others- you know your guests better than we do. If they don’t drink wine than don’t get it. My fiancé is a firefighter so they are definitely not wine drinkers (neither are their wives), mostly beer- we’re gonna get around 3 different types of beer in cases or maybe a pony keg. My fiancé loves Malibu & Coke so that will be his signature drink. I don’t drink but my signature drink will be fresh squeezed strawberry lemonade- some of my friends don’t drink either. Will probably get small containers of reg & decaf coffee for after dinner. My venue provides the soda, water, tea & mixers.
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  • Michelle
    Champion December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    It's a know your crowd thing. It's also ok to ask a few of your guests their beverage preferences. Most open bars charge per person, which includes your non drinkers and is the best bet because you don't have to worry how many beer vs wine vs vodka/margarita drinkers you have. Do not let them charge you per bottle/can which is known as consumption because they will rip you off and charge way extra. Do not have a cash bar either.
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  • Molly
    Expert May 2022
    Molly ·
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    I would go with the canned beers and wine bottles. If you think you need hard alcohol you can ask them to make a few signature drinks as well.

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  • Jackie
    Dedicated April 2021
    Jackie ·
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    Thank you for the tip!
    I’m going to ask everyone what their preference is. That way we have a better idea.
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  • J
    Master 0000
    Judith ·
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    If you said how long the reception was, I missed it.
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  • Yasmine
    Master October 2020
    Yasmine ·
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    I agree with everyone else, it's a know your crowd type thing. Most of our guests drink liquor so that was a must for us and very few drink wine. I would go with whatever your crowd drinks more
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  • Meghan
    Master October 2019
    Meghan ·
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    Here is a handy alcohol calculator https://www.evite.com/pages/party/drink-calculator/

    You can put in your number of guests, how heavy of drinkers they are, and types of alcohol. I’ve heard it is pretty accurate.

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  • C
    Master January 2019
    Cassidy ·
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    We had 62 guests. I made a list of each one with 2 columns beer and wine. I then marked each one what i knew/thought they would prefer. I also marked the ones I knew were non drinkers. Now, this worked for me since we bought our own alcohol. But it could help you decide how you want your bar to work. We did 4 wines and 3 beers, plus 2 cocktails during cocktail hr. Those were gone before dinner. We had so much beer, wine, and soda left over! I figured 2 cocktails and then 5 drinks per person. I think even our heavier drinkers didn’t indulge that much.
    I do think that reducing your options will help keep your cost down. Can beer is the cheaper option so I’d offer that instead of draft. Yes some people prefer it, but it will save you money and your guests more than likely will still drink can beer.
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  • Jackie
    Dedicated April 2021
    Jackie ·
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    4hr hour reception
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