Consumption Bar Experience

See, and if it's going to be like that, I would much rather do a complete open bar. Everyone's estimates are so different. I'm budgeting $5000 for alcohol (which is $2500 more than my original plan). And I'm just terrified of getting a massive bar bill. Even though I have more guests, I would probably guess the same as yours (grouping into thirds). I'm definitely going to talk to the venue about what their average bar tab ends up being for that size wedding. I just feel like I'm playing a game of Russian Roulette with a consumption. If there were a per person cost I would opt for that, but they don't offer it unfortunately.

I disagree, just because the host cant afford to provide an open bar doesn't mean that I shouldn't be allowed to purchase what I chose to drink. As long as they were providing something, I wouldn't side eye the fact that I AM picky and prefer hard liquor drinks.

But please, just host a full open bar.

If you want to get technical, the only thing I asked specifically about was the end cost of people's consumption bar. The rest was just background info, about what I am trying to decide. Of course, people offer up more advice than what was asked, which is expected in a forum. However since that's not what I was asking, I'm not taking that into consideration. To me, saying "don't invite me if I'm only get free beer and wine" sounds a lot like the "adult" version of a 5 year old throwing a fit because they only got one cookie instead of 2.

I will gladly host a full open bar if I think it will be reasonably within my original budget. But again. My concern is a surprise $10,000+ bill, with $2000 ending up in the trash because it was left on tables.

I mean if the drink is 10 bucks a drink and 100 people have 1 drink that's 1,000 bucks just for one drink each...it's alot to think about

OP, could you do a couple of signature drinks in addition to the beer and wine? That way you have at least another option for those who don't drink beer or wine. I'm not comfortable with possibly having a surprise thousand dollar tab either, so we did the open bar instead. I've heard of people owing $5-12k after doing a consumption bar. Yikes.

ETA: This is just an option. You'd honestly be fine with just beer and wine.

^ Yeah... or that! LOL.

The other issue I have with only offering beer and wine is that if there is a bar onsite Your guests may leave to get what they want. My venue has a bar right downstairs. I don't want people leaving.

Italian sodas are the same price as regular sodas, so it's not going to a difference cost wise if someone orders and Italian Soda vs a regular soda. It's basically just another option for those who don't drink.

And Erin, I definitely agree with that. There is a lounge upstairs at ours also.

And Sarah, there was a comment made that said they would rather not be invited, than to not be "properly hosted", which I'm assuming is saying that offering open bar and wine, and having liquor available for purchase is poor hosting, and therefore she wouldn't want to be invited.

Our per person cost is I believe $32pp for a full open bar (maybe 34 or 36 I honestly don't remember) so we will be spending right around 3k on bar.

Make sure your venue doesn't have a minimum for a consumption bar...Ours does consumption for larger guest counts with a minimum of $4k...We would NEVER hit that with 100 guests so we had to do PP. However at our venue that's only like 3-4 drinks per person over 5 hours depending on what they get.

View Quoted Comment Omg that’s a lot! I’m having roughly the same amount of guests but our venue only offers consumption. Now I see why. Do you happen to remember the average price per liquor drink!?