Alcohol at reception

eviliciouz

Hi Knotties,

I've been looking at f&b packages from several places and our budget will be able to pay for the reception food cost $40-$50pp (most places come with soda, tea, and coffee) but if we added alcohol cost per person which is around $35-$50 for couple hours of open bar, we won't be able to afford it.

My Fi and I are not big drinkers. We don't care for alcohol at weddings, but I know some guests will like the option of having alcohol at the reception. My Fi said, since we are planning DDB tour after the reception which we will provide beer & wine, we shouldn't worry about not having alcohol at the reception. I kinda disagree because I want people to have option at our dinner reception however I don't know how to do about it.

We have about 60 people (estimate number) coming to our wedding and probably half of them will like to have alcohol beverages. This is why I can't decide on reception space. Should I do in suite reception? If I go that route, after renting chairs, tables, bartender, server, and dj do you think I can still save $$$? If I go with reception at Maggiano's, the DJ, cake, and dance floor can be apply to our f&b but the alcohol package is kinda a killer deal. Our budget for the reception maximum is $5000 (after tax and fees).

Is the Mandalay bay vista suite will fit 60 people? I emailed The Orleans three times (2 from contact info request) and 1 to jay's email address and so far no response. Please help me knotties. Thank you so much!

FrankensteinsGirl

We're offing a drink from a menu of pre-selected drinks (specialty cocktails) with dinner.  We aren't doing a recpetion really, just dinner and cake so we figured one drink would be ok and that's what fit in our budget. Then after dinner, on the DDB, will be our 'open bar'

krisstyle12

It sounds like a cash bar might be an option for you guys...Some people are super against that, but....I like to drink and I don't mind having to buy my own.

[Deleted User]

Why don't you just do a host bar?  Most places will even let you set a limit on how much you can spend before they switch it to a cash bar.  If you know you have say $800 to reach the room minimum, have the bar stay open until you hit your limit.  Then you're only paying by consumption.  This is only a good option if you're certain your guests won't drink enough to justify the $32 pp for open bar.

vegasgroom

As long as you only post about it in the Vegas forum, you could do a cash bar if you absolutely had to, just don't post about it elsewhere on TK or people will talk to you like you just punched a baby in the face.  I'm not a fan of them, but I am a fan of drinking liquor, so given the option of drinking water and getting bored after a few hours, I'd prefer to pay for some drinks and stay to the end.  I've been to cash bar weddings, and as long as you are not obviously going over the top on everything else and then skipping liquor, I don't judge; for example, 9 ounce filet mignon and lobster with a cash bar would get an eye roll, sirloin and chicken, lets party.

Regarding Vista suite, I think 60 is too many, I'd go 50 max in there based on what others have reported.  Hopefully Orleans will get back to you because that one will easily handle 60.

Regarding in-suites overall and saving money, they definitely will save you.  Most places average $20 to $30 per person per hour if you want to have open full liquor call brand bar, maybe a little less for wells, and you'll certainly spend far far less than that having an insuite, supplying the liquor and hiring a bartender.  Many of the commonly recommended in-suite caterers also offer bartending.  I have some of each at http://www.vegasgroom.com/13/

So, to give an example, you can easily buy good brands of many common liquors (rum, whiskey, tequila, vodka, gin, scotch) and some add-ons for common cocktails like margaritas (grand marnier, triple sec, etc.), as well as the mixers and you'll probably spend less than $800.  You'd spend $1200 per hour to have an open bar for 60 people if you can come in at $20/hour/pp.

eviliciouz

F.G, thanks for the idea on 1 drink that sounds like a good idea. So are you guys going to do cash bar, if your guests want to drink more than 1 drink?

I'm not oppose to cash bar either, but at the same time I want to be able to provide a complete meal & drink for our guests without them having to spend so much money. I know this is so confusing.

Host bar sounds like a good idea too. I've never thought of doing that, but since our wedding so far away and the number of attendances can change anytime..I just hate to book with a place for example Maggianos and turn out to be we have less people and have to spend the rest of our budget on alcohol just to meet minimum. It is still an awesome idea that I will have to consider.

VG, do you know what is the best way to get ahold of The Orleans? I called on Saturday regrding the Stardust suite and the phone operator told me I need to speak with catering department on Monday which is doesn't sound right?

FrankensteinsGirl

Since it's in the restuarant we figured guests can either A) order and pay with our waitstaff for any 'extras' or head to the bar themselves for more   As of now we're on the patio right next tot he bar, if less than 40 guests rsvp we can do the private room in which case I guess guest will prob order from the staff. The staff will be made aware of the situation and I'm assured they will let the guests know before anyone orders 'extra' drinks  I know I'd rather the option to buy more if I want it.  Also our wedding website talks about offering eveyrone a drink from our special pre-selected menu, hopefully people will understand and drink up on the bus if they want

Mango Margarita

When I was looking at venues, I had to go through Orleans catering to look at the Stardust Suite.

I think they were easier to reach by phone early afternoons, rather than mornings.

vegasgroom

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_alcohol-at-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:864fc1ec-88a3-43f7-9ee1-09de6fa0521aPost:fb78b84c-cfe1-4a36-bd44-ffd08c7fafc4">Re: Alcohol at reception</a>:
[QUOTE]VG, do you know what is the best way to get ahold of The Orleans? I called on Saturday regrding the Stardust suite and the phone operator told me I need to speak with catering department on Monday which is doesn't sound right?
Posted by eviliciouz[/QUOTE]

In this case I believe that's correct; the stardust suite is not booked like a regular room, you book it as part of a catered event and the room is 'free' provided you meet the F&B minimums.

shutin

 do you know what is the best way to get ahold of The Orleans? I called on Saturday regrding the Stardust suite and the phone operator told me I need to speak with catering department on Monday which is doesn't sound right?
Posted by eviliciouz[/QUOTE]


I have found The Orleans to be very responsive during the week and late morning,early
afternoon----email my contact below--she is the person I have been working with and is great.

PamelaEddy@boydgaming.com

eviliciouz

I just received an email back from Jay at The Orleans and he said the f&b now is $4000. I was hoping it's $3500, I know it's only $500 difference but I can use that $500 for other things.

Kris10bixler

We are paying by the drink and also pre selected the drink menu. Hopefully this will help eliminate some costs for us because no everyone drinks.

soontobehasrouni

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_alcohol-at-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:864fc1ec-88a3-43f7-9ee1-09de6fa0521aPost:b5881917-9431-4f36-ae47-44cd55296049">Re: Alcohol at reception</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>As long as you only post about it in the Vegas forum, you could do a cash bar if you absolutely had to, just don't post about it elsewhere on TK or people will talk to you like you just punched a baby in the face</strong>.  I'm not a fan of them, but I am a fan of drinking liquor, so given the option of drinking water and getting bored after a few hours, I'd prefer to pay for some drinks and stay to the end.  I've been to cash bar weddings, and as long as you are not obviously going over the top on everything else and then skipping liquor, I don't judge; for example, 9 ounce filet mignon and lobster with a cash bar would get an eye roll, sirloin and chicken, lets party. Regarding Vista suite, I think 60 is too many, I'd go 50 max in there based on what others have reported.  Hopefully Orleans will get back to you because that one will easily handle 60. Regarding in-suites overall and saving money, they definitely will save you.  Most places average $20 to $30 per person per hour if you want to have open full liquor call brand bar, maybe a little less for wells, and you'll certainly spend far far less than that having an insuite, supplying the liquor and hiring a bartender.  Many of the commonly recommended in-suite caterers also offer bartending.  I have some of each at <a href="http://www.vegasgroom.com/13/" rel="nofollow">http://www.vegasgroom.com/13/</a> So, to give an example, you can easily buy good brands of many common liquors (rum, whiskey, tequila, vodka, gin, scotch) and some add-ons for common cocktails like margaritas (grand marnier, triple sec, etc.), as well as the mixers and you'll probably spend less than $800.  You'd spend $1200 per hour to have an open bar for 60 people if you can come in at $20/hour/pp.
Posted by vegasgroom[/QUOTE]



so true. Cash is fine I think, especially if you dont have a lot of big drinkers. why pay for a package when it wont really be used?

Sweetestaboo

We are doing our reception at Bb Kings and its about 30.00 a person for the open bar package n we're having roughly 50 guests so that was just a little too much for us. What they do have is the option of purchasing drink tickets at 7.50 per ticket. So what we've decided to do is purchase 2 drinks for each guest amd that still ends up being 50 percent less. For those guests who don't drink can give their tix away. And if 2 isnt enough the have the option of purchasing their own drinks. You should check to see which venues offer the drink ticket option.

eviliciouz

Drink ticket is a good idea! I will email some places that I'm interested in to see if they do that . Thanks for the idea!