Considering An Open Bar At Your Wedding Reception? Read This First
For most wedding guests, an open bar is a dream come true. They can drink what they like and in the amounts that they want . . . all without worrying about paying the tab. If you’re considering extending this courtesy to your guests, you’re a very gracious host. But, with that said, there are a few things you should know to ensure your open bar idea doesn’t turn into a total disaster.
Make Sure You Can Afford It
Even with small weddings, open bars can get pricey. Ideally, you’ll have enough alcohol available for each guest to have one drink per hour. Some guests may not drink their share, while others may go well above it. However, this rough estimate can let you know about how much alcohol you’ll need to buy and how much it will cost you.
If you find that a traditional open bar is out of your budget, don’t panic. Look into other options, like supplying your own alcohol, if the venue allows, or having each guest bring a bottle. While you want your attendees to have a good time, your financial wellbeing should take precedence.
Offer Lots Of Options
If an open bar isn’t too cost prohibitive, your next step is hiring a bartending service, if applicable, and deciding what types of alcohol to offer. You shouldn’t feel obligated to offer anything and everything, but you should strive for a variety of options. Generally, a few lighter offerings, like beer and wine, as well as some harder cocktail choices will do the trick and keep everyone happy. And, as a courtesy, make sure non-alcoholic beverages are readily available as well.
Don’t Overdo It
For many people, an open bar is immensely tempting. This is especially true if you’re having your wedding reception in a place that screams fun and promotes celebration, like the beaches of Maui. For this reason, you should have some kind of system in place for keeping everyone under control.
Some couples like to offer a few “drink tickets” to each attendee. That way, once the tickets are gone, the drinking ends. Others prefer to allow the bartenders to stop service as they see fit while some just keep a watchful eye out for overly rambunctious guests. Do what feels right to you and be prepared for things to get a little rowdy. If you’re not okay with that, then reconsider your decision to offer an open bar.
An open bar can spell fun and celebration. Still, it can be a big expense and involves some careful thought and planning. As long as you go into it with eyes wide open, though, everyone should have a good time.
