Open bar but no mixed drinks

I think shots are a bad idea in general. With a self serve bar, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.

We have someone to pour, but not someone that knows how to mix drinks

I don't think a bartender will cost you $4,000. That is ridiculous unless that includes the cost of the alcohol.

You should ALWAYS have a licensed bartender anytime you serve alcohol at any type of official event. Bartenders are trained in how to not over-serve because they can be held liable if someone they serve drives after drinking and kills or injures someone. Without a bartender YOU could be held responsible.

Don't do that to yourself. Just spend a few hundred dollars for a bartender.

If you’re thinking of providing alcohol and not hiring a licensed bartender I’d highly suggest rethinking that. You’re opening yourself up to a huge liability without one.

At both the weddings we have been to there open bar cost 4,000 for the alcohol and the bartender we are only spending $300.

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You don't have to buy the alcohol from a bartender to use a bartender. The alcohol is what costs $$$$ so if you've already purchased that you don't need to buy alcohol through them. You can literally find a company and hire a single bartender for 4 hours or whatever you need. I promise you that will be no where near $4k.

I'm honestly surprised that your venue would allow you to serve alcohol (especially shots) without a licensed company or bartender providing service.

My daughter's venue (a country club) doesn't allow shots during the reception. The only reason to do shots is to get really drunk, really quick. It's a bad idea. Hire a licensed bartender and be sure to buy liability insurance.

As others have said - look into finding a licensed bar tender for your wedding. You do not want to be held responsible for over served guests.

I would advise against serving shots, its not a good idea and things can get out of control really quickly. I would suggest getting some basic mixers for incredibly basic mixed drinks. Think jack and coke, tequila and sprite, vodka cranberry... etc.

Yes, it's a terrible idea. You need to hire a bartender. It doesn't cost $4K, not anywhere near that. No shots, there's no reason for it.

Echoing everyone else. No bartender and shots = bad idea. Beer and wine is totally acceptable. That's what we're doing because liquor is expensive and gets out of hand; especially shots.

My husband does want shots haha there is no sway on that. It is a tradition in his family.

I'd rather have mixed drinks than shots, if that's an option. Providing shots without a licensed bartender to decide who has had too much to drink seems really scary to me.

Were doing just beer so people will have something to drink maybe wine. But no mixed drinks. Any way you can just get your FH 1 bottle so he and his (who ever its tradition to do a shot with) can do a shot? Instead of having unlimited shots foe everyone? Straight shots can easily end up in some rowdy guests ruining your day or something you could be liable for...

We are having someone there to pour and monitor. I was more or less asking if anyone would miss the mixed drinks.

I definitely agree with everyone on the bartender issue.

If that truly isn't in your budget then I would take the liquor out. Definitely shots out of the mix - bartender or not. Almost every wedding I've been to doesn't allow shots because they can get people drunk too fast.

We have cop best friend so he is going to take care of the bar.

I think we posted at the same time lol. Now that I see your response then no, people will likely not miss the mixed drinks if you are offering beer and wine. However, if you are having someone pour drinks then they can make super simple mixed drinks. Anyone can make a rum and coke.

The last couple weddings we went to were open wine/beer and cash bar for mixed drinks. I didn't see many people paying for mixed drinks, so I don't think they're thay big of a deal. We're doing the open wine/beer/soda bar. My family doesn't drink, his family doesn't much. It's most the friends that will be partaking. And doing it this way its going to save us some ~$10/ person on our catering

Shots and liquor without a bartender is a super dangerous combo. If there’s someone to pour the drinks, I don’t quite get why there can’t be simple mixers — like sure, you’re not going to be serving martinis, but with straight mixers (soda, juice etc), it’s also just a matter of putting the liquor portion in a cup and adding the other liquid (and ice)...and there should already be some manner of soft drinks available for anyone not into booze or just looking to hydrate

I went to a wedding last year, they hired a friend who is a bartender, they had shots & everything. One of her friends got really drunk and I thinkkkk they called an ambulance lol . We are having an open bar with everything so if someone wants a shot they will give it to them, but it will be an experienced bartender who knows not to serve if they are stupid drunk already. Your wedding, you do what you want to do really.