question about alcohol at reception...

bnu220

Hey girls!

I have a quick question. My venue will not allow outside alcohol so their charge is $6 per guest per hour for beer and house wine. So for my 4 hour reception will be $24. I just learned today that that cost is per person regardless of age. Of the 300 guests, we will have approx 20 children (all under 12) at the recetion and are stil required to pay the 24 bucks for each of them. When asked about it they said that the charge is to cover the water and sodas that all of these children will waste.

I had no idea they were intending to provide this(we have contracted the caterer to provide tea and water) ... Is this normal? Do all venues charge a fee for persons under the legal drinking age???

THANKS SO MUCH for your input!!

LeiselEB

That's now how my venue charges, so I'm not sure of particulars, but could you opt out of having the caterers provide tea and water, since you have to pay for it with the venue? 

NOLAbridealmost

It varies by caterer. Around here it's a lot cheaper for the under 21 guests.   If you've already signed your contract you're stuck, but if you haven't signed yet you should ask about a reduced rate (maybe $9 p/kid) for those who are underage. 

Maggie0829

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_question-about-alcohol-at-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:867c23ff-d144-4068-ac3e-801679b7e68dPost:c7bfeaf1-ced3-4b56-ad7e-b14fc693df9a">Re: question about alcohol at reception...</a>:
[QUOTE]It varies by caterer. Around here it's a lot cheaper for the under 21 guests.   If you've already signed your contract you're stuck, but if you haven't signed yet you should ask about a reduced rate (maybe $9 p/kid) for those who are underage. 
Posted by NOLAbridealmost[/QUOTE]

This.  Our venue offered a reduced rate for any one underage.  They also offered kids pricing for food as well.

gattamelata

Ours only charges $5 for anyone under 21 for drinks and half price for food. I think it's a pretty good deal since we're having at least 10 kids. I would try to negotiate with them on that. $24 for soda seems like too much.

ChristineNB

My venue does not charge full alcohol prices for those under 21 or for those that are not drinking (a lot of my family chooses not to drink for religious reasons).  We pay $30 for the whole 5 hr reception for those partaking of alcohol, and $5 total for those not drinking alcohol.  IMO it sounds completely unfair that they expect you to pay the drinking rate for minor children.

vgyurko

agree with PP...

Our venue charges for everyone over 21 but not for anyone who cannot legally drink.

bnu220

Thanks ladies! I feel that it is completely unfair, and wanted to get opinions of other brides before I talk to my venue about it. I am pretty unsure they will not be flexible with the issue. Thanks again!!

bnu220

Thanks ladies! I feel that it is completely unfair, and wanted to get opinions of other brides before I talk to my venue about it. I am pretty unsure they will not be flexible with the issue. Thanks again!!