Bringing your own liquor vs. Venue providing it

kristiemk

Hi Ladies!
 
We are going to look at a few reception locations this weekend, and I know that at least two of them allow you to bring in your own liquor. I was wondering if anyone has booked a venue that allows you to do this, or has priced out what the average cost per person would be? I know it depends on the amount of people you have and the type of beverages that you serve, but I am  just looking for a general idea. I assume we would just do what a typical standard bar would have. Also, if anyone has any thoughts on the pros vs. cons on doing this? I just can't decide if I see the value in what seems like would just be extra work...

lisa89760

I'm bringing my own liquor and found so far that it's a lot cheaper!  The reason we wanted to bring our own is so we could have exactly what liquor/beer/wine we wanted.  Most of the places we looked at couldn't put together the bar we wanted. 

There are calculators online that will help you figure out how much.  And there are liquor stores that will let you buy the bottles and return whatever isn't opened. 

We are probably going to keep all of it but we are kinda booze hounds

mink492

We bought our own liquor. First, most of my mom's side doesn't drink. I didn't want to pay pp when half the people wouldn't be partaking. Second, you can choose the quality of liquor you want & mix/match. We kept it to vodka, rum, beer, champage, wine & one other liquor that I can't remember (it's already been awhile..). We went to a few different party stores & asked for discounts for buying large quantities & most were happy to help. It was more math & calculating but in the end, it was cheaper & worked out really well for us.

Allycat11

There's obviously some pros and cons.  We booked a venue with liquor included to save the hassle.

Here'es how I see it.  If you bring your own it will be cheaper, absolutely. You also are able to pick the exact brands you like.

 Downsides are...making sure you have the right amount of the right things (the only wedding I saw where they brought their liquor didnt end great, they did so much research/planning and still ran out of some things but had a lifetime supply of smirnoff and asti spumante after). Also variety can be challenging, goes along with the right amounts of the right things.

Like PP said, look at how many people you think will drink, if you have no idea or if you think the majority will, I think it is easier to just use the venue's bar...if not many people will drink, it is probably a better idea to bring your own.