Bar Service

Could you split it do that you have 1 hour for cocktails and then 5 hours after dinner. I feel it would be confusing for your guests if one time you went up to the bar and it was free and the next time you went you had to pay. For myself we are providing 2 drink tickets and then a cash bar where prices range from $4-5.75. If I could have, I would have had an open bar.

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First of all, congrats on your engagement and welcome to WW

I totally get it - whole bar situation is a bit overwhelming. I'm no expert since our bartending is included, but if your venue doesn't include bartenders and catering in their packages, I think you would have to provide the booze. I've come across a few articles that have what I would think would be really helpful guidelines when it comes to purchasing booze according to guest count and reception length. But venues that include their own bartenders and catering will usually have various package options that take into account the type of bar you want so you don't have to purchase your own liquor. It makes it all much easier but you probably pay more for the convenience.

Here is a question.. Im just newly engaged and beginning the planning process. If we get a venue where we have to hire the bartenders and catering do we as well have to purchase the liquor for it as well? Also is this the same with open bar? Im just so confused with all of this. HELP

We had an open bar for our day and the only time they stopped serving was for dinner. Wine was served otherwise to every guest.

Don't feel bad or stressed out about the open bar since your family is pitching in for the cost. Its true that not everyone can afford it and if the guests have to pay, let them instead of going overboard of the extra pours charged to your parents and they are happy too. Its hard to take it all in and accept it, just enjoy your day and celebrate.

Thanks for your input, everyone!

I’m doing An open bar for my guests

We're doing an open bar for 7.5 hours. It was included in our package, so why not!

I am doing a cash bar as his side are big drinkers, mine isn't. I am going to give the wedding party and our parents/siblings a few tickets each. But that is it. I am hoping because cash bar it will make everyone more responsible with driving that night and won't go too overboard because its not free

Like many here, our venue package includes and open bar, so that's what we are doing! It was also something we both wanted, so we would've done it anyways.

I would go the 6 hours of open bar route since both families said they would chip in and people don't have to worry about buying all their drinks.

I will be having an open bar. It was one of those things where it wasn't even up for debate. Our reasoning was because it was a no-brainer. Like, in our families, an open bar is a no-duh just like how you need to have an officiant in order to get married... you just do.

If the price is the same then I would say that the second option would be more appreciated as not everybody drinks champagne or wine.

*Watch out - make sure it's an open bar and not a host bar if you go with those options!!*

We’re doing an open premium bar which was included in our package. My FH husband is Polish and we will even have Polish beer!

View quoted message This is what we’re going too. My family is all British they can drink up a storm. I’m not paying for everyone’s drinks it’s just too much.

Are venue is really expensive (drinks start at $8.50 and go to $16) so we are giving everyone either 2 or 3 drink tickets, then the rest is cash bar. As much as I don’t want a cash bar, it’s just way to much!

We'll be offering 1 drink ticket during cocktail hour and wine at dinner. Outside of that, it'll be a cash bar.

Our venue includes an open premium bar. I believe it’s 7.5 hours if I remember correctly.
The only thing they don’t have is Corona, and my Dad loves Corona. So we will most likely add that for him!

We're doing a full-out open bar that lasts the entire reception. We're paying extra for the "premium" bar too... I don't really know why, but we are

We’re doing a toonie bar! we didn’t want to do an open bar because it can lead to a lot of waste - people will get a drink, put it down, lose track of it, and then just go get a new one.