Consumption verus Open Bar?

bride2012tobe

Open Bar at most venues I looked at is around 25 per person for 4-5 hours. Is it worth doing a consumption Bar instead? How did you handle this? I don't want to worry on my wedding day that we are close to the limit.

imimahoney

I think it depends on your crowd.

If most of your guests are over 21 and heavy drinkers than I would stay away from consumption. But if most of your guests are lighter drinkers than I'd go for it.

Also, make sure to check out reviews of your venue on consumption bar. I've heard of a lot of places that clear glasses before they are empty thus enabling the guests to get more drinks; which would of course hike up your drink cost.

bmoruzzi

At our venue, it was like $15pp for the first hour and then $7/person for each additional hour for open bar.  So, it was $36pp for our reception (we did 4 hours on the open bar).  I have no idea what it would have been for consumption.  That just makes me nervous as how do you know the venue is honest with you?  You know?

kellau

Guests at my home never pay for their own drinks, so why should they pay for them at my wedding.

imimahoney

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_massachusetts-boston_price-per-person-including-entree-open-bar-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:89Discussion:02565269-2bc7-4e08-bb50-06d614e34827Post:822cf9b2-c7d2-4bda-913d-27231cb92a2a">Re: Consumption verus Open Bar?</a>:
[QUOTE]Guests at my home never pay for their own drinks, so why should they pay for them at my wedding.
Posted by kellau[/QUOTE]

That's not what she was asking at all... reading fail.

bride2012tobe

Thanks imimahoney. I wish there was a "like button"

aug2013

we're doing the full open bar. We fought the same consumption/open bar argument over and over and realized that by cutting some corners and having the full open bar, it'l lead to a much more enjoyable night for everyone. I guess it just depends on your budget and number of people going, etc.... 

Osterizer

Originally, my H and I were going to pay $35pp (tax and tip not included) for open bar for our 102 person wedding.  When we sat back and thought about it, we didn't think that everyone would "drink their share" of the OB.  But, we knew some people would make up for other people not drinking.  In the end we opted to go with the $3,000 cap that included tax and tip.  It lasted the entire night and we didn't have to switch over to cash bar.  This saved us some money as opposed to paying the flat rate. 

vtbm

I agree with setting an amount and letting the coordinator see you when it's running out. We also put a set amount down and it lasted the entire night. We saved around $2,000 doing it this way.

love2nap

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_massachusetts-boston_price-per-person-including-entree-open-bar-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:89Discussion:02565269-2bc7-4e08-bb50-06d614e34827Post:0a05a39d-6355-435e-9e00-4ef2b15a49a2">Re: Consumption verus Open Bar?</a>:
[QUOTE]I agree with setting an amount and letting the coordinator see you when it's running out. We also put a set amount down and it lasted the entire night. We saved around $2,000 doing it this way.
Posted by vtbm[/QUOTE]

This. I'm late at posting, but I wanted to say that I agree that consumption bar is better unless you have HUGE drinkers. Open Bar rates are set high assuming that all guests will drink a lot, and that's usually not the case since. I uses to doing billing for functions and I never saw someone benefit from doing an open bar. Not once. If you're worried about spending too much, like people said, set a limit and when your close have your coordinator let you know. You can always decide to extend it at your wedding if you've hit your max and feel like doing more.

Tabbie11

I suggest going with a flat rate, which is what I am looking for, being in the industry I have seen people left with a huge bill from a consumption bar. Although some people may drink more than others, it'll balance out. EVERYONE drinks at a wedding, even if its one or two compared to none. In Boston atleast $8 is average cost for a drink, and I know that I or any of my friends can drink more than $25 worth... package is completely worth it if your crowd are drinkers and atleast you know how much your bill will be in the end, the alternative seems a bigger risk to me. Also remember to tell your coordinator how many children there are so you arent paying the premium for them.

robandmarinawedding

Our caterer was super honest with us and said that typically flat rates are designed to benefit the venue... For our wedding, open premium bar would be about $3,600 (and that means paying for people like Nana to have diet cokes all night). We opted to just set a limit ($2,800). This way, if we hit $2,800 then we can have the option to keep going... and if we don't get there we'll feel like we got a deal (if you can call it that!) : )

lexus192

It is ALWAYS best to choose consumption.  Always...hands down.  Flat fees for bar rates are simply there to look attractive and make you think you're getting a better deal.  But, you're not...simple as that.