Bad wedding advice got me thinking...

lizziemoopsc

FI and I will be offering free beer/wine/sodas, but can't afford to have an open bar with liquor. From what I understood of the bad wedding advice post, that's ok- it's within our budget without asking our guests to pay anything. However, there will be a regular bar in the venue. Not in our designated reception area, but in the venue. If we are clearly displaying wine and beer in a bar in our room, as well as the menu that includes the food and beverage choices, is this acceptable? I don't want to have to change my venue because there is a bar in it, but at the same time I don't want my guests to feel like we are having a cash bar. Thoughts?

laurenclaire1386

If it's not in the same room as your reception, I wouldn't worry about the fact that there's a bar at your venue.  And, as a guest, I'd always go for the free beer/wine before I went and bought a liquor drink.  I think you're fine. Don't overthink it.

danieliza1127

I think what you have planned is fine since the "bar" isn't in your designated reception, it's just in the venue somewhere.  I wouldn't worry about it.

opalsky007

Most venues will print a special paper menu just for your event, and you could request that that not include the other beverages.

lizziemoopsc

Thanks, ladies  

mocha beans

That sounds fine.  If guests want to get a liquor drink, that's their perogative.

Jdomanus_9200429

I'm having my wedding at a winery and we're not allowed to have hard liquor.  Only the winery's wine (which is very nice wine), beer, malt drinks, and champaign. I wouldn't stress. 

Also ask if you could bring in your own liquor.  You might be able to find it for cheaper somewhere and work out a special deal.

kylie_koyote

Our reception is in a hotel that has a restaurant and bar that is separate from our venue.

We have only booked the venue room until 11:30pm because that is all that they allow.

However, the hotel bar is open until 1:30am, so we are anticipating that a number of our guests will head there once we shut down in our room.

connie0000

You are overthinking this. The beer and wine is very acceptable.