drinks for reception/open bar expensive?

marip123

I've been reading some posts on this forum about having beer. wine, soda, signature drinks for a reception.  What about cocktail drinks?  Do you have cocktail drinks not available?   Wouldn't quests be offended if cocktail drinks were not available just as much as having quests pay for them?  Were thinking of doing an open bar the only thing our vendor does not offer wedding packages.  Has anyone had an open bar without a wedding package?  Was it expensive?  Were having about 130 quests.

manateehugger

By "without a wedding package" do you mean a consumption bar? If that is what you mean, the expense really depends upon your crowd. I think some recommend estimating 2 drinks/person for the first hour and then 1/person for every hour after that. Think about whether your crowd will do more or less than that. 

The caterer we are about to go with allows us to purchase bottles of liquor (instead of paying per drink), and will refund us for everything that isn't open for us at the end of the night. You might ask if that's an option for you. It was more helpful in estimating bar costs. 

Every signature drink I have seen has been a cocktail of some sort. I've been to a lot of just beer and wine weddings, and people are usually fine. Yes there are those that prefer only hard liquor, but you aren't technically under any obligation to provide it (you aren't under obligation to provide alcohol at all). It is not rude like cash bars are. 

If you can afford it though, a full open bar is usually best.  That way everyone is happy. It doesn't have to be stocked with top shelf liquor. 

AddieCake

Not having something available is not offensive, unless it's like a restroom. People go to bars and restaurants all the time where something they like to eat or drink is not on the menu. 

Jen4948

Although some guests may be offended by having a limited bar, such as beer and wine only, or no alcohol at all, these are valid options at a wedding.  There is no requirement that you have to have a full bar. 

But there is a requirement that any amenities made available to anyone, up to and including booze, must be for free throughout the entire reception.  No cash bars, no drink tickets, no free drinks only part of the time, no alcohol made available only to the couple, etc.

alithebride

it varies hugely by region also. in my area you just have an open top shelf bar and then beer, wine etc.. too which is included in the PP cost. but not everywhere is like that

cmcole4509

I would suggest trying to find an alcohol dealer that would credit/pay you back for any unopened bottles of whatever. One way to make it a little cheaper would be for example to have one type of beer, one type of wine, and one signature drink. Or maybe two of each. It will start getting super expensive if you have everything available.