Who pays for drinks once the wedding reception is officially over?

Honestly, I feel the guests are on their own. We are in a similar situation and I'm not paying for the unofficial after party. In fact, if your friends are like mine they'll be buying the happy couple drinks.

Unless you're advertising it as an after party, you're responsibility ends when the reception ends.

Open bar closes when the reception closes.

After the reception was over and we changed locations i would expect to pay for my own drinks.

You are having top-shelf for the cocktail hour and the reception, if your guests don't appreciate that than idk lol. Don't worry about drinks for the rest of their night once your event is officially over.

Our "after party" is informal. We're getting married at our old college campus, so some of us may hit up old college bars, or go bowling at the bar/bowling alley that's next to my off campus house from senior year. I also asked the hotel bar to stay open a little later. But no, we're not paying for any of that, and I think that's okay.

No, you are not expected to pay for the drinks of an unhosted event ("after party"). In fact, guests will likely buy YOU and your parents drinks!

They do, unless you invite them formally.

I think you've gotten good advice about the bar - unless you're formally inviting people, you're not required to buy any more drinks! About the continuous wine pour, I've heard it's a waste. People will have their glasses filled and not drink it. Or they'll fill it, and lose it, and get another one. I'd let people get up and get their own wine if that's what they're drinking.

We're having an after party at the hotel bar and guests will pay for their own drinks. You're not expected to foot the bill at this point.

I've never been to a wedding with a continuous wine pour, but I don't think it's necessary.

Guests are on their own. We did this a few weeks ago and never in a million years thought that the bride and groom would be paying. Its something Guests know they are on their own for.

In your situation, it's more of an after party and guests would pick up their own tab.

Regarding your dinner comment, I'm not really sure what that means. I will say that I hate when the bar closes for dinner and that would have been a venue deal breaker for me.

I would imagine that if you and your new husband stop by the "after party" you'll find your friends/family will be the ones buying YOU drinks As a guest, I would not expect for my drinks to be paid for in that situation.

We are doing the same thing at our venue and our guests will pay there own way starting then.

@Elyse yes, I need to confirm the bar closing details during the dinner portion!! It's still a little unclear. We have not even gone in for our tasting yet so I'll get the facts.

Thanks for all the comments!

Unless you are throwing the after party, the bar closes when the reception does.

Another vote for you not responsible for guests' drinks. Only exception is if you formally invite people.

And I also don't think a continuous wine pour during dinner is at all necessary.

Open bar ends when the reception ends. If your guests move to the bar, they know they are paying for their own drinks.

We did something similar, we went to a bar downtown. Everyone was buying US shots at the after-party (as it should be in my opinion)