Open bar?

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Thank you!

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I like the idea of the consumption! Thank you

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Thank you! I appreciate the advice

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I love the signature drink idea

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Thank you for the advice and insight on your wedding ideas. It certainly gets pricey!

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It certainly is tricky! I don't think a dry wedding would work for my family either

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Yes, I agree. Open bars are expensive and can get quite wild!

Me personally I dont think so. At my wedding I'm doing SANGRIAS with fresh fruit. The venue only allows beer and wine. And on top of that we dont have to worry about any drinking too much, and doing something stupid. So it's your money, your day, so you do what's best .

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Thank you Chrisheena!

This is a topic that people can tend to get a little salty about. Lol. People get super opinionated. So I will come from a place of experience.

My best practice is "If YOU'RE hosting the Party, YOU'RE providing the booze"

I'm coming from many years in the hospitality / alcohol industry and I feel it is part of the responsibility of the host.

If it's a cost thing, get creative: beer, wine, signature cocktails only (that cuts cost in half).

But being a generous and gracious host includes offering drinks to your people.

It is THE number one complaint from guests attending wedding.

We are having beer (3 choices), wine (2 choices), champagne, soda, tea and water. It will be in bottles or cans and people will serve themselves. Our wedding is very casual.

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Hi Misty Thank you for the honesty! I also appreciate the creative suggestions

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Marcia, that sounds so lovely

I'm doing drink tickets. It still will cost me over $1300 just for soft drinks and drink tickets. I've been to several weddings and they were all cash bar or drink tickets. They were different social groups, so they didn't even know each other. I've never once heard the guests complain. Hosting well doesn't mean you have to offer unlimited alcohol, and people do take advantage of open bars. My wedding is only 60 of our closest relatives and friends, so it might be different if you are inviting everyone you know. Lol. We are offering unlimited soft drinks, champagne for the toasts, and 2 drink tickets per adult. After that they can purchase any additional that they want. Our reception is 3 hours tops, so what we offered might be enough. It's important not to put yourself in debt for something as silly as alcohol. But if you have the funds for an open bar, go for it.

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My guest list is at around 165 (which is also the venue capacity). It is not in my budget to do open bar for my full reception. I am hoping to find something in my budget that will at least provide my guests with something rather than nothing. Thank you for your advice!

View Quoted Comment You're most welcome!

Not tacky at all! Open bars are so expensive. Our venue did not even offer us an open bar option.
We are doing a certain amount of wine and beer and when its gone its gone. We dont drink and couldnt justify spending that much money on more and more alcohol

Would you put it in the invite for it being a cash bar? How do you word it?

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Thats a good question! Hmm I would have to mention it but not sure how to appropriately word it to guests

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Thank you so much for your comment! It is certainly a hard expense to justify.