Nervous about drunks

Is there a history of these people getting out of control at inappropriate places, such as weddings? Otherwise, you should realize that most adults can have a few drinks and have a good time without puking in the centerpieces or making a scene. If you have a guest with a history of over indulging, I would alert the bar staff to keep an eye on them, and either start watering down their stinks, or cut them off entirely as the circumstances warrant.

We are having just open beer and wine in MD, and cash for anything harder. And cash bars were an option at most of the places we looked.

I have no advice on over-drinkers. Most of my guests will drink, and I expect they can control themselves.

Talk to the catering company/drink service-ask them to cut off anyone too far drunk? Or a drink limit? Tickets, 2-3 per person? But that doesn't completely prevent someone else supplying a drink to someone already smashed...

Bouncer?

You can have an open bar still, just talk with the bartender and make sure that he/she understands that you want people cut off when they are becoming to intoxicated. Our bartender is licensed through the state of Michigan so by law (and to protect her own business) she has to cut people off. Our bartender carries liability insurance, meaning if a person gets too drunk and God forbid gets in an accident or something, THEY are at fault and have to cover all the costs. These are all questions you can ask if you guys decide to interview any potential bartenders.

if you go to the cash bar route, make sure your guests know this because not many guests carry cash to a wedding.

My tip is, don't worry about it.

I assume the bartenders are licensed and by law they will have to cut anyone off who's had too much. If you have usual suspects in your crowd, nominate someone to discreetly point them out to bar staff at the wedding and tell staff to water down their drinks. Works like a charm.

Seriously - if your side doesn't drink much, they're not suddenly going to go apeshxt just b/c the booze is free. And if his side is accustomed to open bars, they will handle themselves the way they always do.

FWIW, we had a fully open bar from 5pm-2am and people were even doing shots. Maybe 3 people out of 135 had too much, but nobody caused a scene and we had no problems.

We did have a late night snack - pizza delivery at midnight. That's always an option that can help keep people more sober and it can be fairly cheap.

Also........if someone wants to party hard they're going to find a way to do it. Two of our GMs were giggling like schoolgirls at the reception. I asked my brother what the heck was up with them and he said after the ceremony they popped a couple of weed lozenges. lmao! But even they didn't make a scene. They just hugged me a lot and ate a lot of cupcakes.

Seriously.......don't worry about it.

I have an uncle who is an alcoholic so I have been through this before. He does act inappropriately at events. Bartenders are experienced and trained to deal with these situations. At one of your meetings, inform them of this person and what they do is after a few drinks they will put alcohol on the rim of the glass but the glass is just filled with juice. The person smells alcohol and therefore they believe they are drinking. I wouldn't worry too much

I've been to weddings where there was a list of 6 drinks which were free. Everything else was pay. Red/white wine. two types of beer and 2 signature cocktails (which the bartender was instructed to make light). And of course snacks always available. Alcohol stopped an hour before closing time. Non-alcholic drinks were always available. And there were very clearly posted the names and numbers of local cab companies near the bar and door. And the venue had been prearranged that guests could leave cars overnight and pick up by noon the next day.

Other than that, not much you can do.

We are having a similar reception to yours Kris. We have an open bar from 5:30 p.m. until 1 a.m. (stopping alcohol an hour before the end of the reception). I know both FH and I have friends who do indulge in the drinking when the opportunity arises, but nobody has ever come close to causing a scene. We also have a late night lunch planned around 11:30 p.m., plus numerous cab companies on standby and the ability for people to leave their vehicles over night. We are not worried at all. You should not be worried. Drinking usually makes people have more fun, more dancing, laughing, telling stories and overall a good time for everyone.

You would be shocked at the amount of people that WONT be drunk at the wedding . this was a fear of mine, but every one was well behaved the GM's didn't get drunk and none of the guest except 1 was trashed although I dont think she was trashed just very emotional (best Friend growing up) and my dad who is a drinker at parties was behaved as well he was drunk but not a trashy drunk...and our bar closed for the guests during dinner but the bridal party could get drinks the entire night

That's why you pick a venue that covers liability, and they have their own liquor lisence, then it isn't your problem. They serve, they cut off drunks.

Instruct your venue not to let anyone drink before the ceremony and that you have no problem with the bartenders cutting people off. Liquor liability is no joke, but the bartenders and venue have a lot to lose, so they are usually pretty vigilant.

@Kris- Haha on your weed lozenges

I agree with Kris though- DO NOT STRESS YOURSELF OVER IT! Some of our friends are out of control drinkers and I'll just put someone in charge of keeping an eye on them. No use in losing sleep over it. What will be will be and you can only do so much ya know.

I agree with Gin and Kris.

Can't control it, and there isn't much you can do to control it. I have 2 or 3 people on my "list" and I will instruct the bartenders to "water down" their drinks.

People will and can always find a way.

PS- the drunkest I've ever been at a wedding was a dry wedding.

People get drunk on beer & wine, too -- not just hard liquors.