Wedding Etiquette Forum

How to handle alcohol

So we met with the caterer the other day to discuss things and they don't offer a bar service or any alcohol. She said if we wished, we could apply for a alcohol license for them and provide the alcohol, they would be able to provide a bartender. That just seems silly to us though. We had hoped to do a cash bar if possible because of finances and to help prevent guests from getting too messed up. Would providing just a glass of champagne be enough? We're not sure the best way to go about this without buying nothing/little to nothing or going all out and way over our budget.  We're definatly open to suggestions.
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Re: How to handle alcohol

  • Do they need a liquor license if ANY alcohol is on the premises?  Or just a license if you have it set up like a bar where they mix and serve drinks?  Because if they just need it for the second one then I would think you could do bottles of wine/champagne on the tables for people to pour themselves.

    That could keep the cost low but keep you from having your guests pay for their drinks. 
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_handle-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:ca38a8fb-3d2a-4be9-baee-345a87ee5901Post:3513f1c4-5237-4a6f-9002-c47b70002784">How to handle alcohol</a>:
    [QUOTE]So we met with the caterer the other day to discuss things and they don't offer a bar service or any alcohol. She said if we wished, we could apply for a alcohol license for them and provide the alcohol, they would be able to provide a bartender. That just seems silly to us though. We had hoped to do a cash bar if possible because of finances and to help prevent guests from getting too messed up. Would providing just a glass of champagne be enough? We're not sure the best way to go about this without buying nothing/little to nothing or going all out and way over our budget.  We're definatly open to suggestions.
    Posted by sdavi084[/QUOTE]

    One glass of champagne really doesn't qualify as "providing drinks" for your guests.

    You say that finances are a big deal.  Why not host what you can afford?  Beer and wine if necessary.  Lay out a figure to your caterer that you can afford (a reasonable budget) and ask her what the best course of action would be. 

    As for your guests getting "too messed up" -- even if  you only have a cash bar, that's not going to stop your guests from getting drunk.  I've seen some people get seriously wasted (to the point of vomiting) when there's only been a cash bar.   That really shouldn't figure in to your decision.
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  • Buying your own alcohol is a pretty budget-friendly way to have alcohol.  If you can afford to host beer and wine, I would offer that.  A lot of people don't like champagne, so I would not have that as your only option, although it might be nice to offer it along with beer and wine, since some people like to have it, especially at celebrations.  Having a good bartender should help with your concern about people drinking way too much (which they could do on their own dime, anyways).  
  • I hate hate HATE when people use "we don't want our guests to get trashed" as justification for any bar-related decision.  Make your choice and own it.

    I echo Stacks' questions about the liquor license requirements.

    You're better off not doing a cash bar at all.  If you can only afford to host beer and wine, do that.
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  • sdavi084sdavi084 member
    10 Comments
    edited May 2011
    Stackeye- To serve any alcohol, just champagne, beer and wine, whatever, requires the license. They said they used to over bar services (and had the license) but it didn't seem popular enough to continue.

    BayStateApple- We can afford some alcohol, and can do a little bit of tweaking to our budget (since a lot of our stuff is DIY). However, we're not sure how much is considered appropriate seeing as neither of us drink all that often but a handful of our guests partake quite regularly. In terms of the cash bar preventing issues, many of our guests have very limited budgets (seeing as they are college aged) and could only afford but so much. I know it wouldn't stop everyone, just some and that's better than none.

    Jessica- That sounds like the most sound idea, thanks. I guess now the hard part, how much and what to serve...haha!

    Edit since more people posted: Thanks all for the advice. We were really in the dark since a) neither of us really drink and b) we're the first in our group of friends to get married (seriously, the only one I've actually been to was when I was three, so that hardly counts) as to what is expected/appropriate. Thanks!
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  • Does your venue have a liquor license?  We had the option of getting the bartender through our caterer OR our venue.  Might be something to look into.....just remember that whoever has the license is who is responsible for the guest's drunken behaviour including car accidents after they leave the reception.

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  • LAK011LAK011 member
    10 Comments

    Does it depend on the county/state as far as liquor license requirements go? Or is it just the cash bar part that requires the license?

    Our venue doesn't require a liquor license, but they do require that we have a licensed bar-tender to serve, and they require that we purchase day-of insurance for anything that may happen.


    If you're set on trying to get some sort of revenue for the alcohol, why not purchase beer and wine, and then set out "Tip" jars or "Donation" jars for people when they go get a drink. This may also get rid of the license requirement? Hope this helps!!

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  • mica178mica178 member
    5000 Comments Fourth Anniversary 5 Love Its
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_handle-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:ca38a8fb-3d2a-4be9-baee-345a87ee5901Post:121419a9-3461-43c3-9465-56edef98fb00">Re: How to handle alcohol</a>:
    [QUOTE]Does it depend on the county/state as far as liquor license requirements go? Or is it just the cash bar part that requires the license? Our venue doesn't require a liquor license, but they do require that we have a licensed bar-tender to serve, and they require that we purchase day-of insurance for anything that may happen. <strong>If you're set on trying to get some sort of revenue for the alcohol, why not purchase beer and wine, and then set out "Tip" jars or "Donation" jars for people when they go get a drink. This may also get rid of the license requirement? Hope this helps!!</strong>
    Posted by LAK011[/QUOTE]

    Please don't do this.

    OP, I'm assuming you're thinking about doing a cash bar because you can't afford to host an open bar, not because you want to turn a profit on your alcohol sales.  Other posters have had good savings buying their own alcohol from retailers who allow the unused bottles to be returned, and finding a licensed bartender to pour for the guests.  You could choose very inexpensive wine and get a keg and keep your costs pretty low.  Or even do a keg and offer a sangria or champagne punch.  But please do not put a "donations" jar in front of the bar if it's for donations to your wallet!
  • LAK011LAK011 member
    10 Comments
    Sorry, I must have mis-understood.
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