Alcohol at a morning reception

scrabtree134

We're having a brunch reception starting at 10 or 10:30 in the morning. Is it okay to just offer bloody marys, mimosas, bellinis, and champagne as alcohol choices? We're not opposed to a more extensive bar, and money would not be an issue (since wine and beer are cheaper anyway and we're paying per drink), but do people really expect to drink wine and beer at 10 a.m.?

There will also be water, soda, and juices available alongside the alcohol.

Thanks!

klm03013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_alcohol-morning-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:2460108a-b5c2-4c34-b93d-d27fec6d63c1Post:1e9f59d7-f6e5-4d55-8501-018b8e9fd64e">Alcohol at a morning reception</a>:
[QUOTE]We're having a brunch reception starting at 10 or 10:30 in the morning. Is it okay to just offer bloody marys, mimosas, bellinis, and champagne as alcohol choices? We're not opposed to a more extensive bar, and money would not be an issue (since wine and beer are cheaper anyway and we're paying per drink), but do people really expect to drink wine and beer at 10 a.m.? There will also be water, soda, and juices available alongside the alcohol. Thanks!
Posted by scrabtree134[/QUOTE]
I think you are fine with the alcohol choices you mentioned. Classy and appropriate.

banana468

I'd poll your guests. My father drinks beer. Period. So a morning reception would still need to have that if he was attending.

McKenna2012

Those are the exact things we're having at ours. We might include beer as well b/c I have a few male guests who wouldn't be caught dead drinking a Bellini. 

zitiqueen

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_alcohol-morning-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:2460108a-b5c2-4c34-b93d-d27fec6d63c1Post:96e31538-3800-43f3-b64a-a1f00ab0e135">Re: Alcohol at a morning reception</a>:
[QUOTE]I'd poll your guests. My father drinks beer. Period. So a morning reception would still need to have that if he was attending.
Posted by banana468[/QUOTE]

Should OP also poll her guests for their food choices? Music choices? Decoration choices? Reception venue choices? Where does it stop? If I went to a reception that offered alcoholic beverages I didn't drink, I just wouldn't drink. No way would I expect the bride and groom to tailor their reception around the very specific wants of every single guest in attendance.

katheriner89

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_alcohol-morning-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:2460108a-b5c2-4c34-b93d-d27fec6d63c1Post:a49747c4-5fb0-4178-aa35-dbffc5f61afa">Re: Alcohol at a morning reception</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Alcohol at a morning reception : I think you are fine with the alcohol choices you mentioned. Classy and appropriate.
Posted by klm03013[/QUOTE]

This.

baystateapple

I think you've picked the perfect alcohol "menu" for a morning reception.  I wouldn't get anything else, you're good.

mary9449

I think that is more than acceptable for a morning reception. Very appropriate for the time of day!

aegrish

very appropriate for a morning reception.  I think most guests won't even expect alcohol at all and will be pleasantly surprised. 

lyndausvi

I think your selection is fine. Although like Banana I would poll your VIPs ( or at the very least think about what they normally drink). Most people know the drinking habits of their family. I'm not talking about having the brand they prefer but the type. If dear ole dad only drinks vodka then screwdrivers on the menu might be a good idea, it does not have to be Grey Goose though.

MyNameIsNot

I think your selection is fine.  I used to work at a restaurant that did brunch.  The bloody mary bar was by far the most popular before noon, but we'd also sell quite a few mimosas.  An order for beer or wine before noon was pretty rare.

While I'd add on vodka for screwdrivers or some beer for hard core beer drinkers if any of your immediate family fall into that category, I think you'd be fine as is as well.  

Milsey32

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_alcohol-morning-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:2460108a-b5c2-4c34-b93d-d27fec6d63c1Post:6cbd457c-c635-416f-8c2b-74ff884148b1">Re: Alcohol at a morning reception</a>:
[QUOTE]very appropriate for a morning reception.<strong>  I think most guests won't even expect alcohol at all and will be pleasantly surprised. </strong>
Posted by aegrish[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>I totally agree. Great choices and very appropriate. Yes, some guests may be able to drink anytime during the day but I really don't think that they would <em>expect </em>alcohol to be served in the morning. </div>

scrabtree134

Thanks. I know the champagne drinks are a bit girly, but I was hoping the bloody marys would balance that out. The screwdrivers are a good idea though!

DeadUtopia

I read your post to my FI (who's a diehard beer drinker) and asked him if he would want beer in a situation like that. His reply was that people might drink it if it's there, but that they wouldn't miss it if it wasn't there either. Personally, I think your drink choices are perfect for the time of day and I would actually not even expect alcohol if I were a guest.

ESquared423

I love it! I'm a huge breakfast/brunch fan and even bigger fan of mimosas and bellinis. I think you have a great plan alcohol-wise.

ajroark

I agree that the menu you've already selected is perfect. I think the mimosas will be a big hit!

banana468

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_alcohol-morning-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:2460108a-b5c2-4c34-b93d-d27fec6d63c1Post:8a5abed6-c363-4dcb-808c-b1956dc59543">Re: Alcohol at a morning reception</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Alcohol at a morning reception : Should OP also poll her guests for their food choices? Music choices? Decoration choices? Reception venue choices? Where does it stop? If I went to a reception that offered alcoholic beverages I didn't drink, I just wouldn't drink. No way would I expect the bride and groom to tailor their reception around the very specific wants of every single guest in attendance.
Posted by zitiqueen[/QUOTE]

OK, don't poll ALL the guests.  Poll the ones that you're close to and that represent the various people you're hosting.  FFS Ziti.

ruhappy321

I want to have a brunch reception as well, but I'm wondering about the logistics of the wedding... 

What time is your ceremony and is it in the same location as the wedding?  

throoper

I agree that what you have listed is fine.  Mimosas etc for the "girly" drinks, Bloodies for a non-sweet drink. 

I thought you were going to ask if you should have alcohol at all... and YES! If I'm flying across the country (or even getting dressed up to go to a reception with a bunch of friends in my own town), I want to have a drink or two!  So good call.  : )

hoffse

Love this idea.  My mother's best friend insists the best wedding she ever went to was early in the morning, had a brunch reception, and they all drank mimosas and got to go home by the early afternoon without any of the awkwardness that sometimess happens in evening weddings (ie: a group of people who don't dance and a DJ who insists upon it).  I think beer in the morning is really weird unless you're doing a kegs and eggs type thing.  That's just me, though, and kegs & eggs is something I associate with college, football games, and other things far less classy than what you're talking about.  Definitely second (or third?) the screwdriver idea, though.

tenofcups4me

I think that's a great selection for a morning wedding. It would never occur to me to add beer or screwdrivers at that time of the morning. I wouldn't even think about it unless you know for a fact that a parent would really miss either of them (even then, I probably wouldn't have beer available at 10:30 in the morning; honestly I think that's just weird).

SirJuliusVonHaast

Coming in late to this party with one additional idea: irish coffee!

Amandafarber

Sounds perfect to me!

scrabtree134

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_alcohol-morning-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:2460108a-b5c2-4c34-b93d-d27fec6d63c1Post:5d85a892-8423-471d-b6bb-29f5f3a5bebd">Re: Alcohol at a morning reception</a>:
[QUOTE]I want to have a brunch reception as well, but I'm wondering about the logistics of the wedding...  What time is your ceremony and is it in the same location as the wedding?  
Posted by ruhappy321[/QUOTE]

The ceremony is at 9:30 and the reception follows immediately after. They're at the same hotel - the ceremony is on the beach and the reception is in a restaurant terrace overlooking the beach. Most places down here won't let you do the ceremony without doing some sort of reception as well since that's where they make their money.