How much Alcohol?

emeejeeayen

Two thumbs up for pickle backs. 

Also, I just wanted to add that I really don't drink very much (I go out maybe once a month to a bar, maybe. And if I drink with dinner, it's a glass of wine). But at something like a wedding? Probably hammered. Polish wedding I went to? 8 hour reception, mandatory "wodka" shots, don't remember anything after the salad. (Just adding this because although you say your group is not big on drinking, that might change a bit at a wedding. Just something to consider.) 

lyndausvi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:fa555b5e-8d08-4b44-b125-fd288bc1f6c3">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : He!!, I Drink Vodka tonic. but I don't drink a lot of Vodka tonics, and that was my point. A lot of People drink Vodka yes,<strong> but MOST people don't have Vodka tonics or Vodka soda's as their go to drink</strong>. I don't know anyone who can have wine, beer, champagne, rum and wiskey and not have anything else to drink because they need Vodka. As a former bartender, what are your most commonly requested drinks? I was under the impression that it was beer. As far as liqours, I would think it would be rum and coke, vodka cranberry or gin and tonic, right? Or Vodka redbull maybe now...
Posted by thurmanpowell[/QUOTE]

<div>Wow, that might be social group thing, but most people I know's go-to- drink IS Vodka-soda.   We ordered more vodka because vodka was our groups go-to-drink.  Shots are mostly Jager in my crowd, sometimes whiskey.  Vodka not as often.   Most of my friends have the soda stream so they can make their own soda for their vodka.</div><div>
</div><div>
</div><div>As a bartender I sold mostly beer, vodka/soda, rum and coke, vodka/cran, jack/coke</div>

thurmanpowell

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:519d207b-c8ea-4ada-a7b1-2ada0f43aeb2">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]Two thumbs up for pickle backs.  Also, I just wanted to add that I really don't drink very much (I go out maybe once a month to a bar, maybe . And if I drink with dinner, it's a glass of wine). But at something like a wedding? Probably hammered. Polish wedding I went to? 8 hour reception, mandatory "wodka" shots, don't remember anything after the salad. (Just adding this because although you say your group is not big on drinking, that might change a bit at a wedding. Just something to consider.) 
Posted by emeejeeayen[/QUOTE]


Thats a good point. My family doesn't drink at all, ever, even at weddings. In fact my Mother really wants us to have a dry wedding (lame). Fi's family will drink a couple beers, but no one drank too much at his cousin's wedding a couple years ago. I'm pretty sure she only had beer and a signature drink. I think her signature drink was made of Vodka and rum??? as I remember having a rum and coke (with the leftovers), and that isn't on my radar at all with an full bar.

More than likely only FI and I and our friends will be drinking.

thurmanpowell

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:76058f24-32cd-437d-895e-68ceed52f148">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : <strong>Wow, that might be social group thing, </strong>but most people I know's go-to- drink IS Vodka-soda.   We ordered more vodka because vodka was our groups go-to-drink.  Shots are mostly Jager in my crowd, sometimes whiskey.  Vodka not as often.   Most of my friends have the soda stream so they can make their own soda for their vodka. As a bartender I sold mostly beer, vodka/soda, rum and coke, vodka/cran, jack/coke
Posted by lyndausvi[/QUOTE]


haha, it must be, I don't think I've ever even <em>seen</em> someone order a Vodka soda. Like not just my friends, but EVER.  I've seen Vodka tonics (but way more gin and tonics) , vodka cran, and vodka ginger ale, vodka and juices, but never a vodka soda.

darlinganastasia

Ok im probably poking the bear here but...I think it's a fine idea to have a DIY "bar". It's nothing you wouldn't do for a large party at someone's home. But yes a liability policy probably would be the best to protect yourself. I also see nothing wrong with only having select hard alcohols. You can't please everyone. And if you cant find SOMETHING you want to drink between beer, wine, booze, iced tea and lemonade, then don't Freeking drink. And I have never been to a wedding where anyone said "great place but I wish they would have had some vodka." In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with serving something you yourself wouldn't consume and if you know the drinking preferences of all/most of your guests, then you shouldn't have to buy something no one is going to drink. As far as quantity is concerned, I would say the bevmo calculator Is the best. We use it for our open mic night gatherings and we usually have extras.

ZeroOrchestra

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:6cbdbc6c-3f15-47ab-8c22-c40c6b0f81a4">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : I agree with you, however, I absolutely must have champagne for my wedding so I need to provide enough for everyone if they so choose. Our wedding is a week before new years so I guarantee it won't go to waste. =) The issue with serving Vodka isn't necessarily an issue with price. I'm sure your liquor store told you that Vodka goes faster than whiskey at a traditional bar and I whole heartedly believe that. Vodka goes in just about every shot versus whiskey, and vodka mixes well with a lot of things since its basically tasteless. The only whiskey shot I can think of is a Washington apple, which is done with vodka half the time. There are few whiskey cocktails most bars are equipped to served and most whiskey is sipped. However, we're having a drink station dedicated to whiskey and rum cocktails. It's an issue of space to add all the extra stuff for Vodka drinkers. Suddenly we have to get and coordinate for juices, soft drinks, and extra garnishes. <strong>MOST people don't drink Vodka and sours. Most people don't even drink a lot of Vodka tonics</strong>. There's no point adding vodka so a couple people can have a Vodka sour. If we had a full bar I would certainly serve Vodka. But Vodka doesn't really fit into the themed drinks thing we have going on here.
Posted by thurmanpowell[/QUOTE]

I drink vodka and water, or vodka and soda/seltzer. I might even settle for a tonic. Just sayin. And PP is right, ditch the Chianti for red wine, Cabernet is likely your safest bet, or a Pinot Noir, which is not quite as heavy. Just my 2 cents.

ZeroOrchestra

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:b79b22c6-8607-417a-88db-bcc84e1ca8cf">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : I missed the fact you are not have soda at your wedding.  Most people i know drink rum and coke or diet coke.      A lot of my whiskey drinkers drink whiskey and coke.    However, you said you might have club soda and tonic.  Most people I know drink vodka with those two options.  As a former bartender I'm just not following your logic.
Posted by lyndausvi[/QUOTE]

This exactly.

And to add, I was a bartender kind of close to your region, Buffalo NY. I can tell you that hands down the most ordered drinks were vodka cranberry and vodka tea. Shots were either Jaeger or Crown Royal. Good times back then.

I get what you are trying to do, and I am not terribly picky so I would find something to drink at your wedding, even the PBR, which I would choose over Miller or Bud anyday. Hoever, vodka does make complete sense with your available mixers, and having coke available for the rum and whiskey drinkers is not a terrible idea.

thurmanpowell

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:3e2bbb68-96e0-4be3-828d-d81b2685cf31">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : I drink vodka and water, or vodka and soda/seltzer. I might even settle for a tonic. Just sayin. And PP is right, <strong>ditch the Chianti for red wine, Cabernet is likely your safest bet,</strong> or a Pinot Noir, which is not quite as heavy. Just my 2 cents.
Posted by ZeroOrchestra[/QUOTE]


Chianti is a red wine and we will also have Cabernet/Zinfandel. I'm not a wine connoisseur (in fact, I had to google that word) but it is my understanding that Cabernet/Zinfandel is a "full bodied" wine and Chianti is "medium bodied." That's why we're offering two different kinds. As for the whites, It's my understanding that Riesling is a light wine and Sauvignon blanc is medium, so this way we would have a "strength" of wine for everyone. 

I'm not really sure how I could go wrong with having 4 different offerings of wine. Is there a reason I should choose Pinot Noir over Chianti besides personal preference?


I'm just going to reply to your second post on here too:

I agree with PBR, which is why we're going that route. It's a better "cheap" beer than Budlight or miller (although Miller Highlife was my "classy" beer of choice back in the day, haha). Also Columbus is Hisptered out so everyone will drink it. Also, what exactly is a mid range beer? Yeungling, XX, and Corona aren't any better but those are the only ones I can think of that won't be off putting tastewise for those people who only drink cheap lagers.

Although I will say Buffalo has a lot in common with Cleveland, but culturally and historically not a lot with Columbus (neither does Cleveland). I don't think bars here even have tea. I'll consider adding coke to the bar if I can find a container for it that matches my scheme (or if I get a bartender).

ZeroOrchestra

It was just a friendly suggestion, H is a Sommelier. Pinot is a bit of an "easier" drink and usually a lighter body, although chianti goes well with a meal. With limited knowledge on your crowd and food options, Pinot is my best guess to counter a heavy Cab. ETA: Love Yeungling.

thurmanpowell

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:7526a162-acfd-4e03-bd4e-119e42f435c3">Re:How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]It was just a friendly suggestion, H is a Sommelier. Pinot is a bit of an "easier" drink and usually a lighter body, although chianti goes well with a meal. With limited knowledge on your crowd and food options, Pinot is my best guess to counter a heavy Cab. <strong> ETA: Love Yeungling.</strong>
Posted by ZeroOrchestra[/QUOTE]


Yeungling just became availible for purchase in Ohio last year, so people are falling all over themselves for it. I actually went to a wedding last month that served nothing but yeungling (and chardonnay, randomly and an actual cash bar for everything else).. It's cool with me, I prefer it to budlight.

Ashes_3

I hired a couple friends of friends to bartend for me. Only one really had any bartending experience, but the main thing was keeping kids out of the alcohol. We did place Wine on a couple of the tables for the wedding party and their plus ones, but it was up near the bar. All other wine was at the bar. Our venue did require insurance liablity since we were having alcohol. It was about $500.00 for 2 million in insurance of any damage or injury to the venue or anyone who was at the reception. We had to specify that we wanted coverage to anyone who was drinking and got into an accident while driving home. It did cost more that way, but it made my parents feel better knowing we weren't going to get sued.

GardenMaven

I just want to add that even if the alcohol is in sight, kids could still get to it.  When I was 8 yrs old my Aunt threw a 50th wedding anniversary party for my grandparents.  It was at a country club with a full staff at the bar.  Two of my cousins were old enough to drink, while the rest of us at the "cousins" table were not.  My two underaged, troublemaker cousins drank the alcoholic beverages that were left unattended on the table by my older cousins.  They also managed to steal ALL the maraschino cherries directly from the bar without the staff catching them.

If they had had access to an unattended bar, I can't imagine how bad that would have been!  And we are talking about a 10 and 12 yr old.  Also, people tend to be bad at measuring after they've had a few drinks.  Not saying that people are going to act like they are at a frat party, but I have seen people over-pour when they are already buzzing.  If it were me, I'd get a bartender just so I don't have to worry about it.

[Deleted User]

Just my two cents, but rieslings can be very sweet. A lot of people don't like then for that reason and it can make it difficult to pair with food. If you want something light and white, I think you'd be better with a pinot grigio though I personally loathe them, they're very popular/common. Sav blanc is a good choice, but chardonnay is more universal for an older crowd, I've found. Just some food for thought :

lyndausvi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:d77d6ffc-4fec-4202-9856-ac4bd3f7730f">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : haha, it must be, I don't think I've ever even seen someone order a Vodka soda. Like not just my friends, but EVER.  I've seen Vodka tonics (but way more gin and tonics) , vodka cran, and vodka ginger ale, vodka and juices, but never a vodka soda.
Posted by thurmanpowell[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Vodka soda is what my DH drinks.</div><div>
</div><div>I lived in the VI for 13 years.  Rum of course was the drink of choice but Vodka soda was next.   </div><div>
</div><div>We now live in New Orleans, a lot of our friends also drink vodka/soda.</div><div>
</div><div>DH's family is from the Long Island area, all of his family and friends drink vodka-soda (sometimes with a splash of cran or something).  I'm not saying they represent LI, just an observation.</div><div>
</div><div>Our friends in TX drink vodka/soda also. (again not that they represent all of TX).</div><div>
</div><div>I know a few people who drink vodka/soda to save calories.<img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif" border="0" alt="Laughing" title="Laughing" />

</div>

dtbluv

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:c77f2c1b-3749-41ff-957f-8bec8ab8e831">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : All of our RSVPS aren't in yet, but we have about 150 people invited. Of these, maybe 75 are adults. Of those, about 40 will drink. Of those 40 about half are beer drinkers only. We can't stock as well as you did for 20 people. Also, I'm super jealous of your liquor prices! Ohio is very heavily regulated and while I don't have the entire price list memorized I can tell you a handle of Captain Morgan costs 32.50. I would kill for 20 dollar liquor. In fact, this would be a totally different situation as I would just buy more than I need.
Posted by thurmanpowell[/QUOTE]

I"m super bad at geography, so forgive me if this is entirely unfeasible (possibly unlawful?  I'm also bad at paying attention to laws when they bother me), but could you drive out of state to get the liquor?  My wedding is in WA, and the liquor prices are much higher here, but I frequently visit Idaho where they are much lower so I'm going to buy the liquor there and bring it home with me.

Peledreamsofrain

Ok, at the risk of sounding like a wino, I'm going to throw in my two cents . I belong to the guild of sommeliers, and my father is a wine columnist, so i've been exposed to a lot of wines.

I don't recommend chianti unless it's paired with heavy rich foods. It's a highly tannic wine that needs fats to tame it down. Because of the high tannins, it's supposed to be aged a while as well, like 5 to 10 years (a good one needs 20 plus years), which makes it expensive. If it's not expensive, it's either young and hard to drink, low quality, or past it's prime.  In all cases, not good drinking.

Instead, I'd recommend a more agreeable and less high maintenance variety such as Syrah or Zinfandel.  You can get those for a very reasonable price here in the US, and still maintain quality.  They also are varieties that aren't so highly tannic, and can be sipped instead of demanding food to be pleasurable to experience.

As for the amount I saw on your calculator.  Hrm... how to say this without looking bad.... wine is super drinkable because it's not very alcoholic.  If you keep to drinking at a slow pace, you can go through an entire bottle over the course of 4 to 5 hours without even realizing it.  Also, people tend to pour themselves more than the traditional glass.  I've noticed that people tend to pour themselves roughly two glasses in one go (most calculators will assume traditional pours).  To be frank, you're going to run out of those 4 bottles in about an hour.  I'd very much suggest adding more.

Just my thoughts on the subject.  I don't much mind the hard selection you have, and don't think it would be a really big deal.  But then again, I rarely stray from wine .

thurmanpowell

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:99120ad2-ecf6-411d-9f34-bb460b587c68">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]<a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_diy-bar-1">http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_diy-bar-1</a> I'm confused as to why you'd recommend such a comprehensive liquor selection to another poster on another board, but not follow your own advice?
Posted by Sleeper2013[/QUOTE]


Because they're doing a full bar and we're doing a rum and whiskey station.

thurmanpowell

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:1446dff7-49f3-494d-978e-cd5a4a13b252">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : I"m super bad at geography, so forgive me if this is entirely unfeasible (possibly unlawful?  I'm also bad at paying attention to laws when they bother me), but could you drive out of state to get the liquor?  My wedding is in WA, and the liquor prices are much higher here, but I frequently visit Idaho where they are much lower so I'm going to buy the liquor there and bring it home with me.
Posted by dtbluv[/QUOTE]


Columbus is in the middle of Ohio. Ohio isn't that big, so it's possible to drive to another state (kentucky wet counties being the cheapest) but with this small amount a liquor we'd lose what we're saving in gas.

thurmanpowell

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:b1282429-bd64-446b-83dd-6d6d1a3b586c">Re:How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]Ok, at the risk of sounding like a wino, I'm going to throw in my two cents :p. I belong to the guild of sommeliers, and my father is a wine columnist, so i've been exposed to a lot of wines. I don't recommend chianti unless it's paired with heavy rich foods. It's a highly tannic wine that needs fats to tame it down. Because of the high tannins, it's supposed to be aged a while as well, like 5 to 10 years (a good one needs 20 plus years), which makes it expensive. If it's not expensive, it's either young and hard to drink, low quality, or past it's prime.  In all cases, not good drinking. Instead, I'd recommend a more agreeable and less high maintenance variety such as Syrah or Zinfandel.  You can get those for a very reasonable price here in the US, and still maintain quality.  They also are varieties that aren't so highly tannic, and can be sipped instead of demanding food to be pleasurable to experience. As for the amount I saw on your calculator.  Hrm... how to say this without looking bad.... wine is super drinkable because it's not very alcoholic.  If you keep to drinking at a slow pace, you can go through an entire bottle over the course of 4 to 5 hours without even realizing it.  Also, people tend to pour themselves more than the traditional glass.  I've noticed that people tend to pour themselves roughly two glasses in one go (most calculators will assume traditional pours).  To be frank, you're going to run out of those 4 bottles in about an hour.  I'd very much suggest adding more. Just my thoughts on the subject.  I don't much mind the hard selection you have, and don't think it would be a really big deal.  But then again, I rarely stray from wine :).
Posted by Peledreamsofrain[/QUOTE]

Lasagna is one of our entrees, but I 'll take price into consideration. Also, it's 4 of each kind of wine for 16 bottles in total, not just 4 bottles.

s-aries8990

In NH, I know that any unopened bottles of  liquor can be returned with a reciept. I don't know if it's the same there. I suggest getting some vodka just becuase of it's popularity and any unopened bottles can be returned.

 See if you can get a "case" deal on a certain brand of wine. You may have to buy a few more bottles, but I'm sure the extras will make great hostess gifts at dinner parties or holiday open houses.

thurmanpowell

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:f7809c6e-da18-471b-b32e-edc65db85b36">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In NH, I know that any unopened bottles of  liquor can be returned with a reciept. I don't know if it's the same there. I suggest getting some vodka just becuase of it's popularity and any unopened bottles can be returned.  See if you can get a "case" deal on a certain brand of wine. You may have to buy a few more bottles, but I'm sure the extras will make great hostess gifts at dinner parties or holiday open houses.
Posted by sydaries[/QUOTE]


I just about gurantee you can't return them here. Ohio liqour control is crazy. Everything from prices, sales, stock, and even store layout is regulated by the Secretary of state. You can't go into a liqour store and order something here.

Not that it really matters, because I still am not serving Vodka. Everyone will have something to drink out of what's offered.

thurmanpowell

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:2fc1db84-7ff9-4525-89e6-c26f003c1508">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]I love mojitos, but even following a recipe, I've never been able to make one that tastes as good as when a bartender makes me one.  And I've tried plenty of times.   Just a thought - if people make their own drinks and don't like how they taste, that liquor will likely go to waste. Especially complicated drinks like old-fashioneds and mojitos.  I'd suggest a bartender for that reason, as well as the reasons PPs have stated.  Or offer the standard mixers for 2-ingredient drinks i.e. rum & coke, cran & vodka, vodka tonic - things people can't really mess up.  Someone may take the time to try to make the complicated drink for the first drink of the night, but once the dance floor opens l probably just want something I can grab quickly (especially if the first complicated drink didn't come out that great). <strong>Ditto PP on Pinot Noir/Syrah/Zin instead of Chianti, and I'd skip the Riesling.</strong>  Drinkability = less waste.
Posted by derksenriley[/QUOTE]

I said from the begining that I'm going to have Zin (assuming I find a good cheap brand) but it makes no sense to only serve red wine which is what you're suggesting here. Riesling IS sweet, it's a desert wine. And there will be desert. It's one of four different types I'll have. The only other common light bodied white wine I know of is muscato. Both are desert wines, it shouldn't matter which I serve. However serving a zin instead is ludicrious.

Also,  a whiskey sour, whiskey seven, rum and sour, are all simple drinks. And an Old fashioned isnt' hard to make. Mojito's are, which is way I'm considering mixing the soda in exchange for tonic. While techinically not correct it's much easier to make a pleasing mojito that way. I also said wayyy back that I was looking into bartenders.

s-aries8990

I think it's good that you'll get some sort of bartender- It will give you more piece of mind.

Did you say you'll have recipie cards? If you don't get a bartender (which I strongly advise you do!) Make sure you absoloutely have these so the whiskey bar will make a bit more sense-- not that it doesn't, it will just be more apparent. If you are doing a self-serve, (again, think long and hard),  I suggest getting the pourer tops so it doesn't go gluggling every where.

If you're looking for a white that's good with dinner try a chardonnay or a pinot grigo. Chardonnays aged in steel taste less earthy- I love moscato and when I tried steel-barrel chardonnay I was shocked at how much better it was compared to oaked ones.

I also agree with Edie Bee- over buying is ok because it'll eventually get used. As long as the wine isn't chilled (white) until you know it will be served, it will last until it's used up. Beer, obviously, doesn't fare as well though. But liquor (all types! besides the fancy creamy stuff that you won't need to worry about anyway) usually does!

s-aries8990

Hold up, OH liquor control is crazy tight, but you aren't required to hava a bartender? Hmm.... is your reception at someone's house or something?

thurmanpowell

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:48dba953-5940-47fd-8ceb-62d634e1eecd">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]I think it's good that you'll get some sort of bartender- It will give you more piece of mind. Did you say you'll have recipie cards? If you don't get a bartender (which I strongly advise you do!) Make sure you absoloutely have these so the whiskey bar will make a bit more sense-- not that it doesn't, it will just be more apparent. If you are doing a self-serve, (again, think long and hard),  I suggest getting the pourer tops so it doesn't go gluggling every where. If you're looking for a white that's good with dinner try a chardonnay or a pinot grigo. Chardonnays aged in steel taste less earthy- I love moscato and when I tried steel-barrel chardonnay I was shocked at how much better it was compared to oaked ones. I also agree with Edie Bee- over buying is ok because it'll eventually get used. As long as the wine isn't chilled (white) until you know it will be served, it will last until it's used up. Beer, obviously, doesn't fare as well though. But liquor (all types! besides the fancy creamy stuff that you won't need to worry about anyway) usually does!
Posted by sydaries[/QUOTE]

If we can't find a bartender we will absolutely do recipe cards (and the pourers are a great suggestion). If we do find a bartender we'll print up menu's so people know what our signtature drinks are.

For dinner the white option is to be Sauvignon Blanc. I will try the steel urged Chardonnay sometime though, Oak aged ones are gross but I'd give the steel one's a shot.

Also... the issue isn't only over stock, it's space. The venue doesn't have a bar. We're setting up our own station. There isn't room to store all types of stuff, it's one<strong> table</strong> that has to hold ice, stirrers, cocktail mixers, beer, wine, champagne, tumblers, mixers, garnishes, and liqour. There's no "under the bar" storage.

thurmanpowell

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:aefaadf7-fd9b-4474-8944-5bafd6ad2a67">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]Hold up, OH liquor control is crazy tight, but you aren't required to hava a bartender? Hmm.... is your reception at someone's house or something?
Posted by sydaries[/QUOTE]


No. It's just crazy with liqour stores, as they're all franchised out by the state. You're welcome to research it yourself: <a href="http://www.com.ohio.gov/liqr/" rel="nofollow">http://www.com.ohio.gov/liqr/</a>

It's my understanding that since we won't have a cash bar, we are exempt from laws that govern those who sell liquour. Also, a liqour store cannot be a bar and vice versa, so they wouldn't have bartenders either. It's illegal to buy wholesale from a bar here.

StephJean83

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:aefaadf7-fd9b-4474-8944-5bafd6ad2a67">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>Hold up, OH liquor control is crazy tight, but you aren't required to hava a bartender? Hmm.... is your reception at someone's house or something?
</strong>Posted by sydaries[/QUOTE]

I was thinking this since she has said that she is required to have a bartender. My sister got married in Mississippi and her venue required a licensed bartender, insurance and a security guard and they have some crazy liquor laws. The liquor stores there(and Alabama where my sister lives) are state stores, they are closed on Sundays and close insanely early the other days.

thurmanpowell

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:dbc9f07d-7b55-47d0-bf3a-c1527ac912d3">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : I was thinking this since she has said that she is required to have a bartender. <strong>My sister got married in Mississippi and her venue required a licensed bartender, insurance and a security guard </strong>and they have some crazy liquor laws. The liquor stores there(and Alabama where my sister lives) are state stores, they are closed on Sundays and close insanely early the other days.
Posted by StephJean83[/QUOTE]


That's probably due to the venue avoiding liability instead of liqour laws. Our venue doesn't care (or at least the woman we talked to doesn't care). We espressly asked and were told the only rules are no glitter, no cash bars, and everyone's out by midnight.

thurmanpowell

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:33f7d33e-dfa8-4204-84b7-41f0619a7e55">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : Sorry, didn't mean to make it sound liike you should only serve red wine.  I'd suggest talking to someone at your supply store about crowd-pleasers in your price range, red and white. PPs have good suggestions on the types of wine to look into.  I think you are on-track with planning on offering lighter and heavier options on the wines - especially if your menu has a few options i.e. heavy meat-based dishes vs. seafood.  Your supplier will be able to suggest wines that will pair well with your menu. Chianti and the sweet wines are often an acquired taste - if someone pours themself a big glass of a wine that they end up not liking, again, it will likely go to waste, and you'll end up going through more bottles as they pour themselves something else more to their liking. Just my opinion, but I'd say the <strong>champagne covers your dessert wine</strong> and if you want to offer two whites, go for a Chardonnay as one of them and something lighter as the other.  However, when the weather is cooler many people will drink red wine rather than white. So you may just need one option on the white wine if you're offering Champagne as well.
Posted by derksenriley[/QUOTE]

I disagree with this, only because so many people hate champagne. Also, there's a big difference between a dry champagne (which I prefer) and a sweet wine like Riesling or Muscato.

emeejeeayen

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:37b5a594-89c2-44e7-b4aa-f85b2c4b3ed5">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : That's probably due to the venue avoiding liability instead of liqour laws. Our venue doesn't care (or at least the woman we talked to doesn't care). We espressly asked and were told the only rules are no glitter, no cash bars, and everyone's out by midnight.
Posted by thurmanpowell[/QUOTE]

<div>Just FYI, it's likely that they don't care because YOU would be liable if something were to happen... I'd just look into that if I were you. </div>