I just recently got engaged and have already started getting ideas together even though our date is almost 3 years from now. And we have already hit a road bump.
Alcohol. My parents who assisting with paying said we have to have a cash bar. Which I think is incredibly tacky and is not something I want. I know of a venue that lets you bring in your own alcohol to serve and own caterer so I'm thinking if I get only a few types of alcohol I can possibly get a discount if I order from the supplier. I'm thinking 1 red wine, 1 white wine, 1 beer and a "bride and grooms" signiture drinks. His favorite drink is Vodka and Cranberry. Mine is Gin and Tonic with lime. So I thought having those two drinks plus beer and wine would be perfectly acceptable, as I don't want guests to have to empty their wallets at the bar. Is this a good idea or does it HAVE to be cash bar or open bar?
It was also suggested that we do a no alcohol reception because both my FH and I have full blown alcoholics and people who do not know when enough alcohol is enough in our family. I know that several members of my family will have a problem with a sober reception and will probably leave almost immediately if their is not alcohol available. How should I handle the problematic drinkers? And is it wrong to have alcohol when there are alcoholics in our families?
My 3rd alcohol related issue is I am terrified of people getting hurt leaving the reception. Currently at my home if someone is drinking I take their keys and wont give them back until I'm 100% sure they are sober, I also have a breathalyzer and when I wasn't sure how sober someone was I have asked them to blow. But I don't let people leave drunk. I know at the reception I can't stop people from leaving if they're drunk but what I would like to do is put a cute sign up at the bar that has all of the local cab information on it. But I was told that that would be tacky and pointless. Opinions?
Re: Alcohol at Reception
Everything Addie said. As long as you're using a licensed bartender (make sure they are!), you shouldn't have to worry about this overmuch.
I've also been to a rowdier wedding where they just had the DJ announce toward the end of the night to let the bartender know if you or a buddy needed a ride home. The bartender had business cards of the cab company. I know multiple people grabbed a card and used it.
Under no circumstances would I ever give you my car keys or take a breathalyzer. If you did that to me at any event you hosted it would be the last one I attended.
Wowwwww. This is INCREDIBLY controlling. One person can blow .07 and be fine and one not. Both are below the legal limit. Let adults decide for themselves.
If you have underlying issues with alcohol...just have a dry wedding. Dry weddings are perfectly acceptable and you won't have to worry about being the "drunk police" and you can enjoy your wedding.
It really irks me when people treat adults like children.
Beer, wine, and signature drinks is a good middle ground that is becoming very normal now. In dealing with alcoholics, all you can do is trust the bartenders. Of course, if they really want to drink themselves into a ditch they will, and there's nothing you can do. So enjoy your wedding and let adults do what they want- short of sabotaging your day.
I'm curious too!
Also, do you have a lock on your liquor cabinet or the beer cooler? Sounds like a super fun party if you're spending your time counting how much ADULTS are having to drink.
cosigned again
The bolded was going to be my follow-up suggestion as well.
And yeah, the personal breathalyzer's are not reliable in the slightest. Not to mention, the alcohol has to metabolize (or some other scientific word) to get an accurate reading. I could take one sip of wine right now and would probably blow a very high number.
Then it's a choice you need to make.
#1, Trust your bartenders, trust your guests, and have options for pre-paid safe rides. Let go and have a good time...
OR
#2, Have a dry wedding for your own peace of mind and don't worry about your family's opinion
I say trust your guests to be adults and everything else Addie said
You'll never be subject to a cash bar, gap, potluck wedding, or b-list if you marry a Muppet Overlord.
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