open bar or run a tab?

soontobehasrouni

 We are having our reception at a restaurant but arent sure if we should pay the alcohol package of an additional $35.00 per person or just pay by consumption? it is a small-ish destination wedding, we have invited 70 but dont expect that many to show. Not everyone are big drinkers. Our other option is to pay by consumption, but the prices are still high, 4.99 ofr budweiser and more for wine and liquor,

Should we just buy the packages and hope the people who will drink more will make up for the non drinkers? or pay by consumption and only have limited options, like certain beers, wines, and a signature cocktail

emeejeeayen

I know how my friends drink so I would get the package. How long is your reception? You should average at least 1 drink per person per hour. In my experience, people become a bit more heavy on the drinking when they're A) on vacation not paying for the booze. 

NOLAbridealmost

This really depends on your crowd.  In my circle, there's NO question: open bar. Everyone drinks and likes to really indulge at weddings--I'd be terrified to see the tab at the end of the night if the cheapest option is 5 bucks a pop.   But if you're inviting mostly people who either don't drink or are more likely to slowly sip on a cocktail or two throughout the night, you could be better off with a tab. 

FWIW, when I go to a wedding I usually have about 2 drinks an hour for the first couple hours and then slow down towards the end.  Increase that if it's a hoppin' dance floor and party-vibe. 

soontobehasrouni

Yeah our reception.is at restaurant for 3 hours. Im thinking.of a Sig cocktail for the first hour then beer and wine after.that

jessicabessica

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_open-bar-or-run-a-tab?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:a2ed3355-e429-4a54-a24e-5cb3123e05c6Post:eff18ed7-4ff4-4d99-89e7-acefff9e4ca4">Re:open bar or run a tab?</a>:
[QUOTE]Yeah our reception.is at restaurant for 3 hours. Im thinking.of a Sig cocktail for the first hour then beer and wine after.that
Posted by soontobehasrouni[/QUOTE]

<div>I would serve the same thing the whole night.  What if one guest is raving about your sig cocktail, but then when another guest goes to get it during dinner, they've stopped serving it?  </div><div>
</div><div>The big advantage of paying $35/pp is that you know how much the bar will cost.  If you can afford it, I would do that and consider it the cost of having the bar.  Don't obsess over whether or not you're getting your money's worth once you decide.  With the consumption bar, you don't know how much your total will be.</div>

Sue-n-Kevin

I tend to go along with the open bar concept simply because you know what you are paying, and aren't surprised at the end of the night. Their "per drink" cost is high, and who wants to quibble over a bill afterward?

However, if cost is an issue, do they only offer an "open bar" with liquor, beer & wine? Or, would they consider a per person cost for JUST beer & wine and a signature drink? This might have a lower "per person" cost than the $35, and your guests can have different options, just not a choice of liquors. This would also work for a 3 hr reception and keep your costs down.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

When the "average" is one drink per person per hour - that really is an average. That means it counts people who won't drink, and people who will have 8 drinks, not just an average for the people who DO drink. I know you say "some" people don't drink, but you'd have to have a pretty significant amount of your guest list not drink for the consumption tab to put you ahead, IMO.

Plus, if you are having a 4-5 hour reception, and let's say the average drink price is $7, absolutely you will spend at least $35/person on a consumption bar.

soontobehasrouni

its only going to be 3 hours. we changed the venue so at the new place it only goes by consumption which is fine, we will just limit the choices. its in vegas so i figure afterward we can all hit a club or something, or casino where booze is free :-)

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_open-bar-or-run-a-tab?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:a2ed3355-e429-4a54-a24e-5cb3123e05c6Post:52679eac-4ecf-446b-9caa-88259ae29509">Re: open bar or run a tab?</a>:
[QUOTE]When the "average" is one drink per person per hour - that really is an average. That means it counts people who won't drink, and people who will have 8 drinks, not just an average for the people who DO drink. I know you say "some" people don't drink, but you'd have to have a pretty significant amount of your guest list not drink for the consumption tab to put you ahead, IMO. Plus, if you are having a 4-5 hour reception, and let's say the average drink price is $7, absolutely you will spend at least $35/person on a consumption bar.
Posted by msmerymac[/QUOTE]

melb2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_open-bar-or-run-a-tab?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:a2ed3355-e429-4a54-a24e-5cb3123e05c6Post:13e569fc-01ee-43a1-96d5-d94976c37cd2">Re:open bar or run a tab?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re:open bar or run a tab? : I would serve the same thing the whole night.  What if one guest is raving about your sig cocktail, but then when another guest goes to get it during dinner, they've stopped serving it?   <strong>The big advantage of paying $35/pp is that you know how much the bar will cost.  If you can afford it, I would do that and consider it the cost of having the bar.  Don't obsess over whether or not you're getting your money's worth once you decide.  With the consumption bar, you don't know how much your total will be.</strong>
Posted by jessicabessica[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>This 100%.  I'd be panicked thinking about how much that bill could be by the end of the night.

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