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Erin Wood
Master July 2017

How do you budget for consumption bar?

Erin Wood, on November 10, 2016 at 11:02 AM

Posted in Etiquette and Advice 69

Me venue does not offer bar packages. It is consumption only and has a 150 adult minimum food spend. We are bringing our own wine but there is a corkage fee of $24 per bottle. Cocktails and shots are $12. Beer is $6. How much should I budget? How much did everyone set aside? I don't want to end up...

Me venue does not offer bar packages. It is consumption only and has a 150 adult minimum food spend. We are bringing our own wine but there is a corkage fee of $24 per bottle. Cocktails and shots are $12. Beer is $6. How much should I budget? How much did everyone set aside? I don't want to end up with a bar tab I can't pay.

Thank you!!

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69 Comments

  • AlwaysMs.
    VIP May 2018
    AlwaysMs. ·
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    Yes it is. Take it out of the wedding context. Let's say you come to dinner at my house. You arrive and I say "we have beer, wine, water, coke, and juice. What can I get you?" Am I being a poor host in that scenario for not having liquor on hand? No. I'm offering you a variety of drinks, alcoholic and non. If you then say "oh I really want liquor, I'm going to get a bottle of Jack, brb" that's your choice. But it doesn't make me a bad host.

    EDIT: I'm not saying this is ideal. Ideally I would have on hand the things I know you prefer. But you have chosen a venue that is really problematic for your specific group on this specific issue. So you have to solve the problem the best you can, without compounding it by creating a breach of etiquette. Beer and wine only do that best, assuming you can't or don't want to pay for a full open bar.

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  • Flying
    Master May 2017
    Flying ·
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    I've budgeted about $4000 for 72 drinkers

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  • Erin Wood
    Master July 2017
    Erin Wood ·
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    I think I'm just going to go for the full open bar. Pray for me!! HaHa!

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  • Mrs.K
    VIP June 2017
    Mrs.K ·
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    Our venue has a consumption minimum of $4000 and our flat rate open bar tab will be closer to $3000...I cannot imagine spending 12k on alcohol...

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  • Melissa
    Master March 2018
    Melissa ·
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    $24 corkage fee per bottle??? Fuck, you may as well just buy the wine from them!! Insane. That's going to blow your cost through the roof. I agree I feel like this should have been considered before booking the venue.

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  • NewlyMrsLachney
    Master September 2017
    NewlyMrsLachney ·
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    Sending prayers Erin haha!!

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  • Katie
    Expert March 2018
    Katie ·
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    Wow $24 corkage fee where is your venue??? That is expensive!!! You can potentially end up with a $15000 tab if people drink more than you expect. I hope you are getting a good deal on venue and catering.

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  • afullerlife
    Super October 2017
    afullerlife ·
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    What's the minimum for drinks? Maybe u can set a maximum? That's a bummer tho I never heard of that!

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  • Harleybeachbride
    Master May 2017
    Harleybeachbride ·
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    My venue is by consumption....my wedding coordinator told me to plan for $7 per drink if beer and wine only (one drink per hour per guest) and $9 using same math for full open bar. She never mentioned a corkage fee, but I'm going to ask in case. Then add tax and gratuities at the end of the night. The majority of our 75ish guests will drink, with 1/2 of them "normally" being lighter drinkers.... but we'll see!? LOL

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