Reception Venue Security

lanerob1

We're having our wedding in my small hometown where there isn't really any great venues. The place we chose requires security if alcohol is being served. Due to the number of guests we will be required to have 4 security officers!!! I'm very upset about this, but at this point there isn't a whole lot I can do about it.The point of the post is, due to the amount we have to pay each officer I want to keep the cost low and serve alcohol after the dinner. As a guest, would you be upset if you went to a wedding where you had to wait 2 hours before the bar opened? My sis is making a big deal about having to wait until 6 or 7 pm to serve alcohol... (shes not paying for it).... What do you think?

kelseymw

I think it would depend on how you had your timeline set up. I assume you aren't doing a cockatail hour, so my guess is that you are going right in to dinner and just doing the bar when the "dancing/party" starts? Some guests will want a drink with dinner/immediately, but frankly if they care more about when they're getting served alcohol then their priorities are a little off IMO. I would think that after dinner as you transitioned in to the "party part" if you opened up the bar it would be a natural transition. I know some people may disagree, but I have just been irritated by the alcohol issue lately. Some people were surprised we aren't having an open bar (only beer and margaritas). Tough luck. Get over it. We aren't having a wedding so you can get drunk. We chose drinks WE like, that are affordable, and fit with OUR wedding. *Okay rant over*

lanerob1

Kelsey, I was thinking the same thing. We are only have certain drinks as well. Our ceremony is from 2 to around 3:30pm. I figure guests won't scatter from the church until a little close to 4. After this the wedding party will take pics for an hours while the guests have fruit and cheese platters until dinner at 5 at the reception venue. Then the dinner will be 5 to 6:30. I think serving alcohol at 4 is just too early if we plan to dance/party until 11. Seriously, do that many people drink alcohol with their dinner? If so, I think they can manage for one evening.

ejayne

I would actually suggest the opposite– serve early, and stop serving an hour or two before the night ends. People will probably want something to drink during "cocktail hour" and dinner, and that way it's less likely anyone leaves the venue having had too much to drink... gives everyone a chance to cool it. You can always have your DJ announce "last call" 15mins before the bar closes. HTH!

kelseymw

Ejayne has a good solution, too. That hour of before you arrive where your guests are mingling and snacking might be interpreted as a cocktail hour by some and it might be confusing if there isn't anything to drink then? Either way you do it will be fine because ultimately it's your wedding and the alcohol really doesn't make or break it in my opinion. I personally like to wait until after dinner to have drinks, but for your timeline purposes that in between hour might be a little confusing for some.

jennyfromblock

I also agree with ejayne. While alcohol is so CLEARLY not the reason your guests are coming to your wedding, a lot of people drink to have a good time. With that being said, I think cutting them off an hour or two before the night wraps up is really the safest and logical method. I'm sure you'll get it figured out. My new goal is to remind all the beautiful future brides NOT TO STRESS. It will be so amazing, you won't even remember this stuff. :-)

foxandsocks

I think closing an hour or two before the party ends would be a good solution. That's my normal drinking pattern, so I would by fine with this solution. And really by the time the bar closes everyone will be having a great time and won't even notice.

shanwalk2

I think waiting would stink. I would definitely prefer to drink with dinner. I think by waiting the party will end sooner. Also, I prefer to drink earlier - have my fun - then slow down before we leave. I think if you can afford it - do drinks earlier. Of course, I'm not recommending you do more than you can afford... but the reception is for the guests - and I think they should be the #1 priority for your budget.

sweetscarlet

I agree with everybody. Drinks earlier, cut it off later. Good luck!

sozay23

ditto! I would think it was weird to not have alcohol with dinner.

sozay23

you could always switch it to a cash bar at some point to. I've been to weddigns where they bride and groom have a pre-set bar limit and once that is reached the bar becomes a cash bar. that might work well!

FromPenceToPrice

I find having a glass of wine makes dinner a bit more enjoyable for me, but I could (and often do) have dinner without any alcohol.  But, a wedding is a celebration, and celebrating and alcohol go hand-in-hand.  I think it would be a much better idea to start the alcohol early and end it early than make guests wait and wonder if there will even be alcohol at all.  Ending the alcohol service early also helps prevent drunk driving, another bonus. 

may2005

Will your venue allow you to supply the alcohol rather than through your caterer or them?I was able to save on money by looking for bargains on alcohol in the weeks leading up to the wedding & just supplying mine at the wedding.  Although I received a discount for buying in bulk and they also threw in another 10% off because it was the anniversary of when they started their business, they had us buy way over the amount that we needed.  We're still drinking the last remaining bottles of wine from our wedding in May, 2006 !!I think I would opt for the alcohol before & during dinner, but cut down later, closer to when you plan to exit.