Mil’s questionable drinking habits

I think you are right to be concerned but I also think its a very good thing that your FMIL has planned to get trashed as safely and responsibly(?!) as possible (DD, hotel, day off work). I'm not sure there is a whole lot you can do aside from making sure the bartender is on board with cutting people off. Is there another family member (maybe a sibling of your FH) that can help keep an eye on her and perhaps redirect her if her behavior gets out of control? Can you choose lower alcohol content beers during drink service to help ensure she's taking it slow(er)?

Just cause its your wedding doesn’t mean that the normal rules are out the window. I would even go as far as warning the bartenders of his mother and ask that they cut her off early, in a nice way of course. Also, I would as that she refrain from drinking before the reception.

You're not being crazy or dramatic. It's a genuine concern, especially if you know about it ahead of time. I actually had a dry wedding because of similar concerns about more than one attendee. I'm sure you don't want to go that route, but are there any alcohol packages available that don't include beer? Or maybe, request a brand she doesn't like?

I agree with PPs that you can't really count on the bartender. There are too many ways around that, from asking a server, to asking another guest to get her a beer, etc. Is there a trusted family member who can "babysit" her for the evening?

Sorry you're having to deal with this. I hope you're able to come up with something!

You can't control other people's actions. The most you can do is hire security if you really think she's going to get that bad. In theory, bartenders SHOULD be able to cut people off if they're that intoxicated. I wouldn't talk to her about it; shes going to do what she's going to do.

I agree with other posts, the bartenders should know when to cut someone off from drinking, but sometimes if they're younger, they can be persuaded by an older guest to keep giving them drinks. But she's going to do what she wants. Just notify the bartenders to cut people off once they've had too many, and let security do their job as well. Also sit down with her and have a serious talk about your feelings on the matter. Make her see it from your perspective.

My FMIL is a big fan of crown peach, and when we told her that hard liquor wasn't allowed at the reception, she said she was going to keep some in her car to drink throughout the night. Her reasoning: "It's my last kid's wedding! Why can't we drink what we want and have fun?". My response: "Because the venue isn't allowing hard liquor. Beer and wine are allowed, I'm sure there's SOMETHING you like to drink from either one". Kind of ticked me off because we're responsible for anything that happens, including breaking the rules that the venue laid out in our contract.

I would just warn the bartender to cut her off when she's getting close to that point.

I think first and foremost you should tell security and the bartender. However, maybe another option would be asking your event coordinator if you could not do open bar? I have seen people that give out drink tickets instead. For examples, each guest can get 2 drinks and if they want more then they pay for it.

I agree with the others who said to let the bartender know. I'm sure most of your guests know how to handle a drunk person if she does start her antics. Side note - my brother got so drunk at his own wedding that my parents he threw up and my parents had to take him home. It was still a fabulous wedding!