Limiting alcohol at the reception

Mohavee · August 2010

Ok, so my parents have offered to pay for the reception, which includes an open bar. My family are big drinkers (not so much myself) and are big into doing shots. However, I don't want them at my reception - it's definitely not the kind of party I want. I am cool with people drinking and am not a teetoatler by any means, but if my parents are paying whose call is it?

opalsky007 · August 2010

In the end, I think it's your parents' call. But have a discussion with them about how perhaps this isn't the best occasion for doing shots. If your parents are in agreement with you, you can always ask the bar not serve shots. Many venues won't serve them even if you DO want them.

ohwhynot · August 2010

Ask your bartender not to pour shots. Easy-peasy. If it's your parents who want to do the shots, though, I guess it's not that easy. Talk to your parents about it- they'll probably be okay with a "no shots" request.

golden1215 · August 2010

Just tell the venue not to do shots or pour doubles

georgia_bride09 · August 2010

I agree with pp's. Just make sure the bartenders don't serve shots. As for doubles, people could just double-fist anyway.

Beachy730 · August 2010

Our venue was not supposed to serve shots, and I didn't want them served because I know how our friends can get. But we had a full open bar, and I actually never specified with them that I didn't want them. Well, people found a way to get them, by asking for "a vodka with an ice cube in it." People didn't discover this until close to the end, and nobody abused it. H and I even ended up doing a couple shots towards the end of the night, and so did my dad who is a total non-drinker. Nobody got out of hand, and we all had a great time.

Talk to your parents and see how they feel. You are perfectly fine to ask the venue not to serve shots. But at the same time, someone can just as easily order whiskey on the rocks or something, and pull the ice out. If people want shots, they are going to find a way to do them.