Help -- Buy your own alcohol and liability insurance

moongurl_

Hi!

I'm in the early stages of planning and would like help in as many areas as possible.  I found a location that is fanastic for our budget 4k that includes PA system, tables, chairs, stage, kitchen, and we can bring our own outside caters or food.  The venue which is Coco Cola Banquet Hall in Granite Falls for $600.  They are requiring us to have our bar service to be insured and license bartender, they referred a vendor but that is just too much.  We thought it would be cheaper to buy our own alcohol (serving wine &beer)  then we'll need to buy a one day liability insurance, one ABC permit, and find a few license bartender.

Does anyone know how I can obtain liability insurance for the event along with where I can buy the beer & wine in bulk?  200-250 guests.

Any information will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

sundrop24

Frugal MacDougals in Fort Mill or just over SC/NC border near Charlotte. They are helpful and good prices for all alcohol. Its beside Carowinds.  We are also buying our own beer and wine for our wedding. Not sure how to get the license, our venue does that for us or included in our price.  But I know you can and its easy to do, I would google it for whatever county. 

I know I have heard of Granite Falls but I can't remember exactly where it is. 

moongurl_

Thanks sundrop24 for the information and I'll definitely google them!  Granite Falls is between Hickory and Lenoir if you travel on hwy 321.  I just google different banquet halls in the hickory area and it pulled up

Thanks again!!!!!

Beth0882

Don't know about the insurance (but i Googled wedding alcohol liability insurance and got a bunch of results so you could start there) but the ABC permit can be purchased at any ABC store.  They should be able to give you details!

moongurl_

Thanks so much @Beth0882 for your help!!!!

brokenhallelujah

Definitely coming back to this thread later because I probably have to get my own ABC permit or talk to my caterer & reception location on that. If you find out more, please be sure to share!

Ang~n~JT

If I am not mistaking it is an event policy that you will need for the liability coverage. I work insurance and I beleive this is what we were discussing at work the other day. I will double check into it & let you know a ballpark of what it may cost if you would like me to?
Just let me know.

Jemmessica

Our ABC permit was $50 (I think) and we bought a 1 million dollar liability policy for one day, for about $300.... better safe than sorry!

We bought our wine from Trader Joes (Chard. $3 a bottle), World Market (Merlot $4 a bottle) and an online source, but it's a wine sold at Harris Teeter ($5 a bottle) everyone seemed to really like what we picked :-) 

We also got 2 kegs from carolina brewing in Apex

You don't need a licensed bartender for just beer and wine.... employ some acquaintances to do it :-) ..... hell, I'm sure for a little cash some knotties would do it, I would!

moongurl_

Hi Jemmessica!  Can you share allow you applied for the ABC permit?  Also, where did you purchase your liability insurance?

Thanks!

moongurl_

Yes, it's an event policy one day liability insurance? Thanks! 

Anything you can find will be great!!!!!

brokenhallelujah

So, I did a little research about it in my Cape Fear Weddings book and here is what it says about North Carolina liquor laws:

In a restaurant or hotel, the locations ABC license should cover the beer, wine, and liquor. If in another location, your caterer will need to have a "mixed beverages catering permit" if they are providing the alchohol.

If you are providing the alcohol, you can get a $50 permit for special occasions from the state ABC office. You'll need to apply to the state ABC office in Raleigh at least two weeks in advance. The person applying has to be at least 21, no criminal record, and cannot drink at the party (but who's going to tell?). You don't need the special permit if you are only serving beer and wine.

You cannot have a cash bar as it is illegal under the special occasions permit.

The host is also responsible for any harm done to or by the guests who have drunk too much.

For more information you can go to http://ncabc.com.

I hope that helps a little.

Jemmessica

Moongurl- I'm not sure I understand the first part of your question.....

Jemmessica

I purchased our insurance through WedSafe

and here's the link for the abc permit

http://www.ncabc.com/application/menu.aspx?f=31

Jemmessica

You don't need a permit if you are using a place that normally serves it, and their bartenders are serving it.... in our case, since we were providing the alcohol, our catering co would not let us use their bartenders.... our venue doesn't serve alcohol either..... so we had to get the permit, even though we only served beer and wine....

HouaBudgetSavvy

Jemmessica , I wanted to know where or how did you get the abc permit? I think of the alot the other knotties are explaining it pretty well.  Thanks so much for all your help!

shigaites

Our caterer is letting us provide the booze and use their bartenders.  Lucky