Limited Bar - What to Offer?

Psychoangel2u

Ok ladies, it’s time for another bar related question!

Disclaimer: This post is NOT about cash bars! I nixed that idea faster than my fiancé could complete the sentence. Lol.

We’re unable to offer a full open bar for our wedding in October, and have instead opted for a limited bar. I’ve run into a bit of a dilemma, however. I’m not a big drinker, and I have no concept of how to plan 1. the types of alcohol needed or 2. the amount needed based on the number of guests invited. Help!?

We’re looking at roughly 50-80 people, give or take. We'll have a better idea on the exact number once the RSVP cards start rolling in next month, however. Of those, a majority are social drinkers but will likely limit due to the location of our venue and the driving distance to their respective lodging accommodations (20 minute drive back to the hotel is the common scenario).

So far we’re looking at providing the following:

• Beer (purchased through the venue)
  
• Wine (Moscato will be offered, but I need a second wine choice as well)
  
• Bourbon
  
• Rum
  

We will have unlimited soft drinks, tea, coffee, and all things needed to make mixed drinks.

What other ‘types’ of alcohol would you recommend? We're considering perhaps simply offering beer, wine, a signature cocktail, and perhaps two other forms of alcohol. Thoughts?

(I typically drink Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, Margaritas, or Moscato on the rare occasions that I drink…. So I’m clueless on this front! Lol.)

Psychoangel2u

See, this tells you exactly how much I don't drink. I didn't even think about vodka... Lol. I have no problem including that if need be though.

I was tempted to simply do beer, wine, and some form of signature drink... but I wasn't sure that would be 'enough.' It seems as though there is the potential for someone to be upset either way, but I want to minimize that as much as possible.

clg1213

If they are upset by the liquor selection, then I wouldn't really care to please them. 

I think just beer and wine is fine (I'd go Chardonnay & Cabernet Sauvignon). I'd skip hard stuff...too much of an ocean to dip your toe in.  A signature is fine if you enjoy it or can link it to you/FI/the event

another KT

You're never going to make everyone happy.  Beer and wine.  A signature cocktail if you are feeling inspired but not necessary.

ElcaB

Honestly, beer and wine would be plenty. Don't stress yourself out with the complications of adding liquor and mixers, especially with such a small guest count. 

Offer at least one light beer and one full-bodied beer. In addition to Moscato (which is sweeter), add a dry white like Chardonnay and have two reds, like a Cabernet and Merlot. 

MuppetFan

I agree with beer, wine and signature drinks.  If it's a venue, they probably have a selection of beers. I would just limit it to domestic beers and let your guests choose.

For Wine, I don't know what people's fascination with Moscato is or how they can drink it with food.
I would do a Chardonnay and Pinot Grigo and Syrah or Pinot Noir and Cab or Merlot.

If you have to pick 2, I'd go Pinot Grigio and Cabernet.

HisGirlFriday13

We're doing hosted beer (two kinds, light and dark), hosted wine (cab sauv and white zin), and a signature drink -- mulled cider with rum. (October wedding).

We're in the same boat -- we can't afford to host an unlimited open bar, so this was our next best option. I've seen a lot of people say, "It's all open or nothing; you wouldn't expect your friends to pay for drinks at your house, would you?" 

Well, no, but I also don't have a full open bar at my house when I invite people over, either. I try to provide them what I can afford to, and what goes with the meal, but I don't have a full bar in my living room.

(Not that FI isn't trying to collect every alcohol known to mankind, because Lord knows he is!)

jessicabessica

I agree with PPs about having wine in addition to Moscato.  Pick at least one other white (I'd suggest Pinot Grigio) and at least one red (Cab Sav or Merlot are popular).  

With limited hard alcohol, I would either have one or two signature drinks, or not offer it at all--don't just offer two types of liquor with mixers.  Since you said you like margaritas, I might pick something like a blood orange margarita as the sig cocktail. 

southernbelle0915

Agree with PPs about moscato - it's trendy right now, but not universally liked. I'd go with a chardonnay and a cabernet sauvignon for your white and your red.

For beer, if you have a bunch of taps available, I'd do a domestic, a light and a local craft beer. If you can only do one, pick a popular domestic. 

For liquor, I'd do one or two signature drinks. Since it's October, I'd do a spiked cider (spiced rum or bourbon) and a seasonal martini (vodka). 

MandyMost

I would do a light and a dark beer, a white wine, a red wine, champagne/prosecco/some kind of bubbles, and and any number of signature cocktails. For instance, I wouldn't just have rum and bourbon, but rather create a cocktail with rum, and a cocktail with bourbon...guests can then have the signature cocktails OR just have the liquor with a mixer if they want. 

But if you're going to serve liquor, I'd suggest vodka, and something darker (such as bourbon). 

For the wine, you need a red and a white. Personally, I would think it was crazy if a wedding didn't have a red and a white. And White Zinfandel is a rose, not a white. Since white wine doesn't stain like red does, a LOT of people drink white wine at weddings. I don't know anyone who's ever ordered Chardonnay at a bar....Pinot Grigio seems to be the most common, or you could also do a Sauvignon Blanc. Chardonnay seems like something served only at weddings or banquets that aren't exactly modern. 

I think the bare minimum if you're serving alcohol would be 1 beer, 1 red wine, 1 white wine.....2 beers, 1 red wine, and 1 white wine would be better. And if you're going to do any liquor, definitely do a vodka. 

colleenhas

There is a website called wedding alcohol calculator that you can calculate how much you need. I have heard 1 drink per hour per person is pretty reasonable but it depends on your crowd. I think you can get 4-5 glasses per bottle.. I would serve 3 kinds of beer, an IPA, a universal one like Budwiser, and a lite beer, Wine.... a Merlot, Pinot, and a White Zif. Maybe offer a signature drink, (Pinterest has some great ideas) 

  Good luck

kipnus

Definitely don't make Moscato your only white wine. Pinot Grigio is a good one. Shiraz is my favourite red wine, followed closely by Pinot Noir.

erinlin25

beer and wine would be totally fine on a etiquette standpoint-- but I do like when people include a sig drink or hard a since I am not a beer/wine drinker.  If you do a vodka and a rum you are covering your "basics" so I would personally be happy to see it.  Try to have at least a white and red wine available since people usually have a preference.  Chardonnay is usually more common than a moscato, IMO.

kkcaper14

Thank you for those of you who suggested pinot grigio!  I think it is much more universal than chardonnay (I personally dislike most chardonnays esp. "cheap" ones that are typically served at weddings.  Most white wine drinkers I know drink the PG.

Viczaesar

@KnotPorscha, advertizing.

Psychoangel2u

Thank you for all of the advice/suggestions/input ladies! After talking it over with FI, examining our budget, etc. we have opted to go with simply beer and wine. We have an appointment tomorrow for wine tasting to get a better idea of what to include given our menu options.

ElcaB

HisGirlFriday13 said:

We're doing hosted beer (two kinds, light and dark), hosted wine (cab sauv and white zin), and a signature drink -- mulled cider with rum. (October wedding).

We're in the same boat -- we can't afford to host an unlimited open bar, so this was our next best option. I've seen a lot of people say, "It's all open or nothing; you wouldn't expect your friends to pay for drinks at your house, would you?" 

Well, no, but I also don't have a full open bar at my house when I invite people over, either. I try to provide them what I can afford to, and what goes with the meal, but I don't have a full bar in my living room.

(Not that FI isn't trying to collect every alcohol known to mankind, because Lord knows he is!)

We're doing mulled cider & rum for our Oct. wedding, too! *Excitement*