Consumption bar budget?

Most guests will have 2 drinks the first hour and 1 drink per hour after that. This is a good average because some will drink more and some less. I’m not sure how many guests you have. Also you could just offer beer and wine if you wanted to save money.

How many guests? What time & day is the ceremony?

So sorry! Around 100 guests.

Ceremony - 4pm
cocktail hour - 4:30-5:30
reception - 6-10:30

So I'm a worst case scenario person. I'd probably do 2 drinks for the first hour and then one drink per hour after that + 1 just to cover everything and I'd assume the most expensive cocktail. Assuming that (100x2 + 600)x9 = $5,600.

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That is a lot for it not to be a full open bar. I would say see if they can make a signature cocktail for the cocktail hour. That should be$3-5pp, they make it in batches so it should be affordable. Then I would close the bar during dinner and have tea, lemonade and water served. And then open the bar back up after dinner until close. Maybe put 2-3k on the bar. You may also want to think about doing beer and wine only. That's just my opinion. I couldn't see paying almost 6k for alcohol, but you gotta have it

Some bars offer a consumption based package where you put down a certain amount of money and people can have what they want until that limit is reached. There’s less chance of overage or a scary bar fee

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Sophie, ooooh. I love the idea of a signature drink during cocktail hour - sounds like it could save some money.

In your opinion how tacky is it to switch to cash after guests hit whatever amount I set for consumption? I've been to weddings where this happened and I kept drinking - but I don't know how most people feel about it. I tend to default to, if they're true friends and family they shouldn't complain but I also know how people can be

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I'm not a big drinker so it wouldn't bother me. But some people will complain just to complain. And the heavy drinkers may complain also. But I do think if you do a signature drink during cocktail hour and close the bar during dinner you should be fine with just beer and wine for the remainder oft he night. Lots people do beer and wine only. We are doing a signature drink for cocktail hour and then beer wine and champagne for the remainder of the night