Bartender vs byob

Thunder Bay, Ontario!

Where was this?

I was at a wedding where they had to provide their own liquour and mixes. They had a few different beers, both red and white wine, vodka, rye, rum, tequila, coke, sprite, ginger ale, orange juice, cranberry juice, lime and lemon juice. You got whatever liquour you wanted, and then mixed whatever you wanted in it. This is a common thing to do at shags (stag and does, socials, etc) here as well.

This is what we did. We bought our own alcohol and mixers. We created a few "signature drinks" so that we didn't have to provide a full bar. We had beer, cider, red and white wine, vodka, rum, tequila, coke, lime juice, orange juice, cranberry juice. We had a list of the drinks, including what was in it so that someone could create their own drink using those ingredients. We planned on returning the unopened but somewhere along the lines our receipts got lost (we had to turn them into the venue to prove the alcohol was purchased; but now we just have another reason to invite people over!)

Where are you getting married? Are you allowed to provide your own liquor license and liquor? I used to work for a freelance bartending company in the Vancouver area... as the bartender, we provided our services, brought our own ice bins, mix jugs, shakers and garnish tools (knife/cutting board). You simply provide the space (bar), liquor license (required in BC), liquor, mix, glassware/plastic and ice. Almost no bartending company would provide all of that equipment/product. But they can guide you as to what you need, and then they set it up, take it down, etc.

If you purchase from the BC Liquor Stores, you just leave as many bottles/cases of beer sealed as possible, and then you can return them after the wedding if they aren't used. Same as flats of pop/juice from Costco. You can also pre-order your booze from BCLS, and then pick up just before the wedding.

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions about self-provided bars at BC venues.

I'm not sure if that is a thing or not but here in Manitoba the closest thing that we have for that kind of an option is to hire a bartender company that would provide: bartenders, cups, ice, mix, and garnishes. All that the bride and groom would provide is the alcohol and whatever isn't consumed gets returned to the LC as long as it is unopened and then they get their money back.