Alcohol Question

angieandjames

Hi guys,

Here's the scoop.  We're getting married in a pretty small town, and inviting about 400 people (but expecting semi-low turnout as far as weddings go, probably half or so).  We're definitely serving alcohol, but not a full open bar.  I need your thoughts:

1 - Beer:  We can't decide on doing cans, with cute coozies, or kegs (because they are cheaper)... and also don't know if it's possible to hire someone to serve the keg beer, since it's such a small town.  So, cans & coozies?  Self-serve kegs?  Or try harder to find a server?

2 - Wine:  I'm pretty sure that a lot of people I know don't drink much wine... so we were considering not doing wine at all.  We're doing heavy appetizers, not a sit down meal.  So, will the wine be missed if it's not there?  And if we do have it, then we have the same issue on servers as with the kegs.

Any thoughts would be very much appreciated!

bsn1752

I think that its all about knowing your crowd...  I would prefer to drink bottles of beer or draft beer out of a glass... if that's an option for you.  If it's a very casual wedding, then I'm sure cans/koozies will be just fine! 

TexanTreasure08

And I have been told by a caterer who would let me buy my own alcohol that having to rent all the glasses for a keg ends up costing more than just buying it in bottles to begin with.

ewinkler1977

I don't know if I would let my guests get beer from a keg, I think I would want that served to them. I think bottles are a good option

Also I would go ahead and include wine because not everyone likes beer and then what will those that dislike beer drink. Just something to think about. 

amberpro

Many venues require alcohol be served by a TABC certified bartender, so I'd check on that.  Either way, I would look for a server if you do keg beer.  I personally prefer bottles over cans (like pp) and think they look nicer displayed if you aren't going the keg/server route.  I also wouldn't forgo the wine completely.  There may be guests of your friends/family that don't drink beer, and it's always good to have options when hosting a party.  HTH!

fallbride1109

I do not drink beer so I would want wine. 

I went to a wedding (at Chestnut Square) where they had beer and wine and the bride's brother (the Best Man at our wedding) served it.  It was his gift to his sister, the bride (as he provided the wine also).  I think you can hire people to serve for you.  It just looks classier.

Jeff and Deepthi

You really want to know your crowd on this one. I think it would be easier to have cans or bottles and coozies. I personally would do wine. I don't drink beer either, but I'll have some wine if those are the options. Best of Luck!

Hester930

It's completely determined by the theme of your wedding!  Are you going smalltown fun and country bumpkin??? With hay bales for seating?  Are you doing a sleek venue and classy spread of hors de'ouvres?  Is it a buffet style appetizer setup?  Are you having servers pass the munchies?
If it's outside, and you are going a little more down and fun, laid back, kick it up atmosphere, pull the kegs out, and you can certainly get away with clear plastic cups.  I went to a wedding like that.
You're talking about cute koozies...sooo, I would think you have some leeway that won't jeopardize the ambiance of your wedding.
I would definitely include wine. 
Ask the groomsmen to take turns manning the keg...I'm sure they won't mind.
Otherwise, you better call the beer store now and put your case order in!!!  That's gonna be a good amount of beer....get to making your beer tubs...there's all kinds of cute ideas for that!