alcohol consumption

m_masino

Calling all people who host parties or who just got married.  I'm trying to get an idea for my budget about how much people will drink with my open bar.  I'm doing a host/consumption bar meaning I'm paying per drink.  For 120 people maximum, I'm being told that $1000 will be more than enough to put aside for that.  Someone told me that at a recent wedding in crystal city, they set aside 2500 for a 300 person wedding and drank a lot but within that budget.  Anyone have any ideas what to expect (beer is 4.50, coctails and wine 6.50-7 dollars each) so I can know what to budget?

Lyss5782

i have NO idea, but can you ask your venue? 

SouthJerseyToMD

My thought on this was that if all of your guests drink only 2 drinks each the bill will be anywhere from $1080 to $1680.  Some may drink more.  Some may drink less.  Some might not even show up.  You need to kind of figure out how much your friends and family will drink.

Lyss5782

$1000 sounded low to me too...I was thinking average of 4 drinks (one per hour) at $5 is already $2400

BostonBride919

$1000 sounds very low. I was told by multiple venues to estimate one drink per hour per person. Even though some people won't drink, some will get drinks, put it down to dance, and get a new one so they will have well more than one per hour. I would estimate $35pp for a 5 hour reception.My friend just had a consumption bar in Ohio and she had the option of doing $30 open bar instead but thought her bill would be lower. They ended up well over $30pp at the end of the night.

2dBride

I've been told to expect that people will drink two drinks in the first hour, then one per hour after that.

m_masino

Thanks all! I found a place that will throw in three hours of beer/wine and then we'll do a consumption/host bar for the final hour and the four hours of alcohol.  That should do it:)