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Dedicated June 2019

Hosted cocktail hour only?

Taylor, on February 20, 2019 at 2:20 PM Posted in Planning 1 12

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We are deciding which type of alcohol package we would like to include at our wedding/reception. Our venue is all inclusive so the price is per person per hour. We can choose the whole event or as many hours as we would like to host. The idea of just hosting the cocktail hour for our guest “saying thank you for coming, have a drink on us” came up but I’m not sure if having the rest of the evening a cash bar would be a little confusing for guest or if people would not mind since we payed for their first round of drinks. Both my parents think I should have a cash bar, my wedding is on a Sunday evening so they think people will not be drinking as much to make it worth the $20 pp/hour

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12 Comments

Latest activity by Michelle, on February 20, 2019 at 5:47 PM

Master June 2019
Danielle · on February 20, 2019 at 2:23 PM
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I think in your situation, this idea could work. My only suggestion would be to put up a big ol' sign in the cocktail area that says "Thank you for celebrating our big day, first drink is on us!"
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VIP July 2019
Summerbride77 · on February 20, 2019 at 2:25 PM
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We went to one wedding were they did this. It worked totally fine. They made sure everyone knew in advanced and made it very clear when the bar was going to switch over (it made it so everyone could grab one last drink before dinner).
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Champion October 2018
Kelly · on February 20, 2019 at 2:25 PM
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I’ve only been to one wedding like this and people got a lot drunker a lot quicker because they loaded up on alcohol before the free drinks ran out. Does your venue offer a consumption bar or a beer and wine only package?
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Master August 2018
Nemo · on February 20, 2019 at 2:27 PM
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Since you're worried about not getting your money's worth, could you do a consumption bar? Basically a cash bar but they would run your credit card for each drink. This way you aren't paying for people that aren't drink but you are also still hosting your guests.
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Master September 2019
Sarah · on February 20, 2019 at 2:30 PM
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I’m going to tell you right now that it won’t only be one drink per guest in that hour if they find out they have to pay for drinks after cocktail hour. We’ve been to two weddings like this and at both every person at our table had 2 drinks in front of them when we sat down for dinner and had had at least 1-2 drinks during the hour.
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Dedicated June 2019
Taylor · on February 20, 2019 at 2:30 PM
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We would do beer and wine if we did host and if people wanted liquor they could purchase that themselves. We could open a tab, but this is the least cost effective as we would be charged bar price.
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Dedicated June 2019
Taylor · on February 20, 2019 at 2:33 PM
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We are totally fine with this, and we know people will do this as well. The hosted cost per person for one hour is $9 and the cash bar starting price per drink is $6
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Legend July 2019
MrsD · on February 20, 2019 at 2:38 PM
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If you do this, I'd make two signs and have the bartender switch them out. So one says "on us!" or something with the drinks, then the other has prices. If you can afford it, I'd keep it open the entire night. Or either do a consumption bar during the reception or open up to $1,000 (or whatever you can afford).
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Devoted May 2019
Denise · on February 20, 2019 at 5:21 PM
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Could you close the bar during dinner and then an hour before your reception is over? I’d be more inclined to stop drinking a little earlier since it’s a school night.
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Super May 2010
Officiallymrs · on February 20, 2019 at 5:33 PM
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Ugh my venue was pp/per hour as well and it was so annoying !.. we did a consumption bar and for us it worked out much better
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VIP September 2019
Brae · on February 20, 2019 at 5:37 PM
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I've gone to a wedding like this and it worked out fine. (I'm also one that doesn't get upset at cash bars though) but yes, people will definitely have more than one drink, and lines during the cocktail hour might be a bit longer than the rest of the night. If you're fine with that, then I think its good.
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VIP December 2019
Michelle · on February 20, 2019 at 5:47 PM
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We are only doing signature drinks at cocktail hour. Then the bar will close for dinner. Then it will open back after dinner and we are going to put $1500-$2000 on the bar. The prices are $10 for liquor, $3 domestic beer/$4 imported and $6/$7 wine/champagne and once that runs out that's it. Ask your venue about making signature drinks. They usually make those in big batches so it should be cost effective
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