We are having a hard time with deciding how we want to manage our bar for the wedding. Our venue allows us to supply our own alcohol (yay!), and as long as we have the required event insurance and liquor liability insurance, they don't care whether we have a licensed bartender or if we do self-serve (or some combination).
So, here's our conundrum: Our caterer can provide two bartenders at a small fee, but the company requires that all drinks be handed directly to guests at the bar - which means no wine at the tables, no pre-poured drinks, no self-serve beer, no servers walking around refilling glasses. It also means that during dinner, guests will have to get up and go to the bar for drinks.
I completely understand the caterer's policy - liability and all - but I also don't love that we can't have wine at the tables, and that people can't just grab a beer from the bar without waiting for the bartenders. We have the option of doing it all self-serve, but since we have mixed drinks I don't really like that either - at least with a bartender there is someone who can cut people off if things get out of control, and someone to keep the bar area stocked and clean.
So, I guess my question is: Do you think it would be inconvenient for guests to have to go to the bar, and potentially wait in line, for every single drink they order? Or should we look into hiring a college kid of Craigslist or an independent bartender to man the bar, so that we can have beer and wine self-serve?
I don't really love any of the options, but maybe I am overthinking it. Tell me what to do!