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Expert January 2020

The never ending alcohol problem

Toni, on July 18, 2019 at 3:06 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 25

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Hey y’all! I’m not the first nor will I be the last to say that alcohol for weddings is INSANELY EXPENSIVE. like downright crazy. We are having what I guess could be called a “cake and punch” reception but we will be doing brunch foods (YUM). As most will tell you about cake and punch receptions, they are usually held by people who can’t afford the whole Shabang fancy wedding (which is 100% my case). We recently got in touch with a caterer who can do everything but my cake and some donut holes (easy fix, whatever) they can also do mimosas. We were going to do a self serve mimosa bar but paying for someone to actually prepare the drinks and be staffed seems MUCH easier than setting everything up the day of. However this comes at a cost, they are $7/person with a flat $100 service fee-my Fiance thinks if we go this route we should pay by consumption making it never ending mimosas for our 40 guests. So the question begs, do I pay an exorbent amount to a caterer for the staffed mimosas or do I do a self serve station with just as much alcohol for cheaper? Anyone have any advice?

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25 Comments

Latest activity by Jesiqua, on July 18, 2019 at 11:36 PM

Master August 2019
Allie · on July 18, 2019 at 3:09 PM
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I'm confused, is it $7 per drink or $7 for all you can drink mimosas?
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Dedicated October 2019
Aleks · on July 18, 2019 at 3:09 PM
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I think $380 for a staffed mimosa bar is a steal! Keep in mind that if you DIY you'll also have to prvide glasswear, napkins, pitchers, ice buckets...it might actually end up being more expensive.
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Expert January 2020
Toni · on July 18, 2019 at 3:09 PM
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$7/drink sorry for the confusion
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Expert January 2020
Toni · on July 18, 2019 at 3:12 PM
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Very true but it wouldn’t be $380 that would be if everyone had one drink, this would be bottomless so it would be $380+ and with the way our friends and family drink I’m estimating closer to $700
However, knowing that someone is taking care of my drunken guests is a lot of stress off me versus them pouring there own and making a mess. And not having to pay for all the supplies and cleanup..
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Master August 2019
Allie · on July 18, 2019 at 3:12 PM
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Yikes, yah that's probably standard pricing but I would bring my own alcohol in. Just hire a bartender. Mine was $150
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Expert January 2020
Toni · on July 18, 2019 at 3:13 PM
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It seems spendy right?! I’ll definitely be looking into a bartender and comparing prices
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Master August 2019
Allie · on July 18, 2019 at 3:14 PM
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How long is your reception and are any of those guests children/non drinking age?
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Expert January 2020
Toni · on July 18, 2019 at 3:17 PM
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Ceremony starts at 2pm, Reception is from 3-5pm (in the same building) so decently short lived, we’re having a kid free wedding and all the adults drink. Most of our attending adult friends are kinda nutso about mimosas also 😂
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Master August 2019
Allie · on July 18, 2019 at 3:20 PM
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I would estimate your guests could probably drink 3-4 a piece. That would put you at $940-$1220. I would recommend hiring a bartender, but providing the alcohol yourself.
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VIP October 2020
Kelly · on July 18, 2019 at 3:20 PM
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I'm a cheapo so I'd always say the cheap option. But if it'll cause you stress there's no harm in paying for peace of mind
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Legend November 2019
Caytlyn · on July 18, 2019 at 3:20 PM
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I would hire someone to staff the bar. If not, you’ll probably need to provide more champagne because guests will over pour.
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Expert January 2020
Toni · on July 18, 2019 at 3:23 PM
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YIKES. At this point it’s picking which stress do I want less 😂 stress over how much money I’ll spend or stress over gathering supplies and hiring a bartender
i need to do some research
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Master August 2019
Allie · on July 18, 2019 at 3:24 PM
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Does this service provide the glasses too?
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Expert January 2020
Toni · on July 18, 2019 at 3:26 PM
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Yes they do complete set up and tear down and provide all glasses. They’ll also be catering my food so it would be kinda convenient
my fiancé says we should go for it because we will only do this once but I’m not sold haha
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Master August 2019
Allie · on July 18, 2019 at 3:28 PM
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Honestly, and I hate spending money, I might go with them then. My bar is semi-DIY and I have to provide the glassware which has been a hassle, more expensive than I expected, and just adds to my full plate right now. If you can afford it, go for it.
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Master September 2019
Sarah · on July 18, 2019 at 3:30 PM
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Just take into consideration that if you are DIYing, you’ll need the alcohol, juices, a way to keep those things cold, glasses, etc. and if your guests are super into mimosas, they’ll likely overpour/overserve themselves. Sometimes the extra cost is worth the peace of mind/less leg work.
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Super October 2019
Cassi · on July 18, 2019 at 3:30 PM
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Definitely look at bartending companies and just provide your alcohol. We are doing an open bar (providing all alcohol) and paying our bartenders. Its costing us $510 for our bartenders, cleanup and setup, travel and mixers and ice. We will provide glasses (my mother purchased online for $60) and we are providing the alcohol. We spent maybe $200 on alcohol so far and this is like 6 handles and some wine and my MIL and FIL have offered to get teh rest (14 bottles of wine a few more handles of alcohol and all the champagne) and my parents get free bottles every month from the casino so they have been saving those (these are higher end liquors). All we need to do now is buy the beer when we get up there (its a DW) and according to our bartender we will need 8 cases of beer (24 per case) for our guest count.
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Expert January 2020
Toni · on July 18, 2019 at 3:31 PM
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You’ve got good points. My guests need supervision 😂 it’ll be a costly expense but I think they’ll be worth the service.
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Expert January 2020
Toni · on July 18, 2019 at 3:32 PM
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Agreed honestly not having to collect the supplies will be a huge weight lifted off me.
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Master June 2019
Danielle · on July 18, 2019 at 3:47 PM
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We spent $1000 on alcohol for our wedding (Beer & Wine) for 160 guests, then hired someone to serve it for $50 + tips. Our DOC actually offered up her daughter's boyfriend as our bartender. All he had to do was poor wine and keep the beer stocked & iced. If I were you, I'd buy our own alcohol and hire a friend to bar tend for cheap.
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