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Just Said Yes October 2019

Hotel reception open bar package

Teal, on March 28, 2019 at 10:12 AM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 17
I just want to double check this is “standard practice” and we’re not ripping ourselves off.

Our reception venue, a large national hotel, is charging $25/guests ages 4-12 and $60/guest ages 12 and older. This includes open bar. They charge the same rate for guests 12-20 who won’t be drinking (not to mention a little less than half our adult guests do not drink). Is this normal? You still pay for open bar for guests who are underage and will not be drinking? Thank you!!!

17 Comments

Latest activity by B11, on March 28, 2019 at 5:17 PM
  • Courtney
    Super September 2019
    Courtney ·
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    That was not the case with our venue. We pay a set dinner price and a set drink package price per a guest that is 21+. They even let us exclude guests that don’t drink for medical or religious reasons from the count. I’m not sure how common the package set up of drinks being included for those underage is but that’s not how the pricing will work for our venue.
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  • Sara
    Super October 2019
    Sara ·
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    It definitely depends on the venue. I think the only place we looked at that could have included an open bar made the price change at age 21, so you weren't paying alcohol prices for those who can't drink. Other than that, the price points look in the ballpark of what I was seeing.

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  • 2d Bride
    Champion October 2009
    2d Bride ·
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    In theory, they are overcharging for the underage people, and the people who don't drink. But they are undercharging for the people who drink like fish. The real question is whether the cost as a whole is reasonable for your area, and the services provided.

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  • J
    Savvy October 2019
    Jess ·
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    My assumption is that price is based off of how much food, soda, or alcohol (for those over 21) people of those age groups consume. Not based off of an certain age group drinking alcohol.

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  • MOB So Cal
    January 2019
    MOB So Cal ·
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    Our venue had a children's price for guests up to 12 years old ($35 pp), but we paid the same for everyone else -- including the bar package (premium open bar for 5 hours, $35 + tax & service pp, on top of the meal, so total of about $155 pp). We had three nieces ages 15-20, and I asked about paying for the full price for them and was told because the bar package included soft drinks, juices, etc., that we paid the same for everyone. The venue was a high-end golf club.

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  • Kristin
    Super November 2019
    Kristin ·
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    We are paying about $70/person over 12 for the evening (Chicago area). Apps, plated dinner, cake and dessert bar, as well as a 6 hour premium open bar. I think it is pretty standard to include those who don't drink or are underage so that in the end it averages out between those who drink a lot and those who don't drink. Plus, as PP said, it likely also includes juice and soda for those under age/not drinking.

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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    Seems odd. We are only paying for the bar for guests 21 and older.

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  • B
    Master April 2019
    Brittany ·
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    I'm pretty sure this is how our venue works too. They count the sodas and juices as part of the bar.

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  • Haley
    Dedicated April 2020
    Haley ·
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    Most places I looked at were $12 for a soda package for the children. I didn't think to ask about people between 12-20 because I'll have maybe 2. It seems really unfair to charge for alcohol service when the for obvious legal reasons will not be providing it to minors. If they won't budge on it, I'd suggest trying to bargain to get other amenities waived/discounted. Ceremony fee, linen rentals, chair rentals, uplighting, are all easy things that to be negotiated.
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  • Sarah
    Master September 2019
    Sarah ·
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    Don’t forget that juices, sodas and non-alcoholic mixed drinks (such as a Shirley temple) would count toward bar cost in most venues. In some places a soda can cost almost as much as a beer and the assumption on the venue’s part is likely that anyone over 12 would consume enough of these drinks to offset that cost some.

    If more than half your adult guests don’t drink, could you ask your venue if they’ll do a consumption bar where you’d only pay for what was actually served instead of paying a pp cost?
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  • V
    Champion July 2019
    Veronica ·
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    Our venue has different pricing. Children under 12 are $39, children over 12, but under 21 are $46, and adults are $70. $70 for adults doesn't matter if they drink or not that is the set price which is annoying because I don't drink and there are several people in my family and friends who also don't drink, but we still pay the $70.00 for them.

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  • Soon2Bmrsp
    VIP May 2019
    Soon2Bmrsp ·
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    Let me say that YOU got great prices if that's a large national hotel. We are paying $134 per person with a large national hotel and we didnt even ask for children's plates and I dont know what my vendor's plates are yet and I've got 9 of those...

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  • V
    Super April 2019
    Valerie ·
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    That seems about on par with what my venue is doing. I think my venue's cut off for kids price is 14 and not 12... but it is essentially the same thing.

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  • Cristy
    Master May 2021
    Cristy ·
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    Our venue separates the food cost from the beverage package. We are paying $40/per person for the dinner, and an extra $23/per person (over 21) for the bar. Soda, water, tea and coffee come with the dinner package. So, I'll basically have two different head counts, one for dinner, and one for bar beverages. Although there won't be a huge difference in the number, as I won't have that many guests under 21.

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  • F
    Devoted October 2019
    Future Mrs Wilson ·
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    Ours is all inclusive and at a hotel as well. We are paying 80 per person for all apps, entrees and open bar.
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  • J
    Master October 2019
    Jolie ·
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    Seems okay I guess. That's cheap. My food for adults is $70 my bar for 21 and over is $35. Age 5-12 for food is $35, under 21 for beverage is $12 and under 5 is free for both.

    I just don't understand why they charge you age 12-20 same drinking rate. I personally would argue to have that changed just because it blatantly doesn't make sense.

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  • B
    Super May 2019
    B11 ·
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    Ours does something like this. Even if they are underage, if they order an adult meal, we pay the adult price for food/beverage ($110/person). If they order a kids meal, we pay $18/person. It’s easier for them that way and as PPs said, some people will drink less or none at all and some will drink a lot more.
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