Consumption Bar or Open Bar?

If you do a consumption bar I recommend high balling what everyone drinks to gauge the cost. When someone normally only drinks 1 drink when they're paying, they might get 5 drinks because it's open bar as an example

I'm always all for consumption !

@DWBride, I hear you. I have a spreadsheet with names and number of drinks I think they will have. Its not too hard because its a small number of people. I just have to get prices.

I vote for consumption bar with no cap. With small guest list and lunch reception, I think you might save a lot more money going that route. We had 65 guests, open bar from 5-11 PM and our bill was $2500.

But then what are your drink prices?

@O&L I just sent an email to ask for the drink menu. Most my guests drink beer though which is usually cheaper than liquor and ranges from $5-10 depending on the beer. So beer drinkers will likely be under $59 pp and liquor drinkers might meet or exceed that. We don't have many liquor drinkers though.

I think the fact that I have some non-drinkers and some very light drinkers, plus not knowing if people will stay for more than 3 hours, makes the consumption bar the best option. I didn't want to do a 3 hour open bar because that would be cutting the time off and I want people to stay longer if they want to.

I wouldn't expect your guests to be there that long since it's a day event with no dj/dancing. There's only so much people can talk to each other. Honestly I would do consumption. I wouldn't have more than 2 drinks personally.

Thanks for your input @FutureMrs.Ruffalo. I am not expecting it, I am just thinking our families might stick around a while to catch up with each other. I live in a different state and my family is scattered around in different cities so when we do see each other we can usually talk for hours. I don't mind if people want to go earlier though.

Just got a price list. Beers are $5-7 each, cocktails are $12, wine averages at around $12, but I only know of three people who might drink wine.

You seem pretty sure of what people will drink but remember, people sometimes drink differently at weddings. For example, I'm normally a wine girl but I love me a dirty martini to start out a wedding. Or my mother doesn't drink normally besides an occasional Kahlua and cream but at a wedding, she's drinking CC and gingers.

@BeachyLauren, I understand there needs to be room for error. The good thing about a small wedding is I really know the people attending though. I am going to overestimate to get a price and compare it the open bar with beer and wine for 4 hours.

Definitely no cap, that would totally suck for your guests! We are doing a consumption bar with no cap. We believe it will be dramatically cheaper than an open bar

We're also having a small wedding. We're celebrating with our 30 guests at a restaurant close to the ceremony venue. We're doing a seated 4 course meal with an open bar. The manager pushed for a cap but we were like "No, we want the open bar".

Thanks for your input. I hear you all loud and clear. No cap

We are doing open bar for the whole reception; we went with only beer and wine and tons of non alcoholic options. Felt it was the best choice to go with to properly host our guests.