Who pays for the alcohol?

No one is obligated to pay for anything except the bride and groom. If his family politely declines to incur additional expenses over those they have graciously agreed to cover, that is acceptable.

Be more grateful your families are even paying for anything!

And many a wedding has occured without alcohol and been quite enjoyable.

The groom's family is not obligated to pay for anything at the wedding, nor is anyone else. That said, it is tradition for the groom's family to pay for the rehearsal dinner. As far as I know, the bar bill is up to the couple, as is everything else. Bottom line; it's not their bill.

Its really what you guys come to an understanding. Such as my FIL are paying for the rehearsal dinner and a portion of our honeymoon. I was super grateful for any input with the budget. Like Meghan said, no HAS to pay for any of it.

And, if you really want alcohol and have nobody to pay for it, have a cash bar, This at least gives guests the option to buy alcohol, should they want it, and all you will have to provide is the bartender(s) which is not a huge expense in the scheme of things.

Thirded. You don't get to demand that people pay for anything, and that's all appeals to "tradition" are--veiled demands. As Meghan said, be grateful that they're paying for anything.

Normally the couple pay for alcohol. I am paying for 15 wine bottles at reception

Cash bar is a good idea BUT it is good to buy champagne for toast

Maybe it's regional for parents to pay for alcohol in your area? It isn't in Texas that I know of. Either way, I really don't think there are any set rules on who pays for what these days. We are paying for out own wine and beer. At first I thought it was going to be really expensive because nearly everyone we know drinks. My best friend, who also has a drinking crowd, recently had a wedding and she said she estimated 1/2 a bottle of wine per person and about three beers per person (bottled). She had tons of wine and beer left over. So maybe it won't be as expensive as your anticipating and you'll have left overs!

Some places allow you to return unopened beverages as well; that is something to look in to. Good luck!

Michelle I agree, I brought 15 wine bottles from Trader's Joe when it is like $3.99 per bottle for reception!

Maybe it's regional. I agree with teh others that nobody is obligated to do anything, but as for claiming that it isn't tradition for the grooms family to pay for alcohol, in this area i know it IS considered part of what they cover (as well as rehearsal dinner). However, it also is left up to whoever is paying what kind of bar you do (so if they dont wanna pay... don't do an open bar.) But if they dont wanna, they dont gotta. It's not their wedding.

I'm very lucky that my FILs are paying for the rehearsal dinner, an extra 2 hours of bar, and helping pitch in for teh rest (probably put it towards having at least soem sort of free alcohol, like doing just beers and wines or something.) But we're only getting that much because they have no girls to pay for, whereas my parents have 3 getting married within 5 years of each other (and both our families go with tradition- we didn't ask nor want their help, but they want to, so hey! we'll take it )

Hey Suzie, in my culture it's tradition that the Best Man pays for the alcohol and the MOH pays for the cake and favors. Each tradition is different and I will try to back myself up incase the BM isnt aware or not willing to pay. So I suggest you keep the alcohol simple....Just wine bottles and no hard liqours

Agreed, noone is obligated (except for the bride and groom) to pay for anything wedding related ... my FILs are covering the Rehearsal Dinner that is it, my parents are covering the Reception that is it, We are covering the ceremony, the dj, the photgrapher/videographer and our honeymoon oh and of course the flowers ... I am also fully intending on buying my own dress and accessories ...

Miss Cupcake...I dearly wish I had a Trader Joes nearby! Who knew one could miss a grocery store so much! haha!

Haha wow crazyness!! Yea I am moving to the island in Washington state that nearest trader's joe will be 45 minutes away BOOOO lol. You could try Sam's Club or Costco for cheaper wines as well.

But one thing to be aware of, some venues if you bring wine bottles, they will still charge you for corkage fee. I have to pay corkage fee per a bottle at reception. BUT it is cheaper for me to get wine bottles from grocery store than buying it at resturant

Traditional etiquette states that the groom's family pays for the rehearsal dinner, the honeymoon, and the bride's bouquet. But this is 2011 and you'd be lucky to get either set of parents to pay for anything. My fils are just paying for the rehearsal dinner and I'm grateful for that. It's more then my parents have done so far.

@ Unique we still haven't confirmed a wedding date :-( but the FH already asked his friend to be BM and he agreed. His dad owns a supermarket I hope that will help him not turn us down. FH had asked another friend and turned him down for that reason, its an economic burden. The MOH (I still havent confirmed who) maybe an old co-worker/friend and even though she is hispanic like me she has a different nationality therefore may have different cultural traditions. But its fine I'd rather cheap out than make them uncomfortable, we chose them because they are special to us.

O btw I LOOOOOOVE TRADER JOes toooo!! The wine arent bad for $4!!

Fhs parents paid for the alcohol and rehearsal dinner for our wedding, bc they offered too. its extremely nice if anyone offeres to help you out, but nothing should be expected or guaranteed.