Party Time: How much do you drink at a wedding?

lunarsongbird · December 2011

Good Evening Lovely Ladies of E!

I come to you asking for advice. My FI and I are beginning to plan our wedding and we have chosen a neat vacation rental as our venue. The owner is letting us bring all the alcohol we want with no corkage fees. (Hooray!) What is your all time favorite wedding beverage?

Additionally, Over on NEY, we've also been debating the etiquette of a cash bar versus open bar (fun, right?). And to help some ladies decide if they want to break the cardinal rule of charging people for their booze- we were trying to gauge on average how many drinks a guest consumes.

So if you would...

lunarsongbird · December 2011

Also, as I'm a stranger on the board. I'll introduce myself a bit.
I'm a regular on the Not Engaged Yet board and haven't really ventured off the board much, as I just recently got engaged in October. My FI, Andrew, is a certified sommelier- so good wine and food are a must in our life.

We just bought our very first home in Colorado (after I moved from California where I was born and raised)- and we adopted our first dog, who is an Australian Shepard. And we have two cats- Eshezo and Rose (who is a bit reclusive, she's like a secret kitty that only we know about).

I hope this post finds you all doing well! Thanks for your input about drinks!

number55 · December 2011

I answered 4-5 but that would obviously only be if I weren't driving. But let's say the party starts at 5 and goes til 1? At least that many, or more - one an hour?

annakb8 · December 2011

Yeah, I'm the person that drinks until the bar closes. At a 4 hour night time reception I could easily drink more than seven drinks. I think I might be an outlier though.

GretchenLaRoux · December 2011

Gin & tonics until I hit the floor, man. And by "hit the floor," I'm talking between 4-7, depending on how much I've eaten. It tastes like Sprite. I can't help myself. Yum.

Meg1036 · December 2011

I tend to have about a drink an hour at a wedding.

mkrupar · December 2011

I put 4-5. I know I've drank more than that, and I know I've drank less than that at weddings. That's about a drink an hour though. Pretty average I think.

As far as your question about favorite wedding drink? I tend to drink wine. If it's a good party I'll go to my staple: bourbon & ginger. I'd suggest, in your case, provide a few options of beers, some great wine (chosen by your FI of course :-) ), and maybe one or two signature cocktails. I think that might be easier to figure out quantities than trying to stock an entire bar for a weekend.

mica178 · December 2011

I drink about a drink per hour.

annakb8 · December 2011

Favorite wedding beverage? I guess I don't really care that much. I'll drink anything. I like when Champagne is an option though, not necessarily a Champagne toast, but I like when I can get it at the bar.

brilibby4 · December 2011

I would drink about 3-4 or maybe more depending on who was driving and how much fun I was having. I usually order wine or cranberry vodkas.

mkrupar · December 2011

Oh and I'd like to point out, that on the occassions that I'm drinking more than that it's probably because I'm dancing and not even feeling buzzed because I'm sweating it all ya know? One of my best friends from HS got married a few years ago nd I easily drank 12 bourbon & gingers and didn't feel remotely drunk, or really even slightly buzzed. Danced it all away. :-)

lunarsongbird · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_party-time-much-drink-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:977d09e2-7e99-4089-a9e6-7e4f03894defPost:a156e1a7-a4a3-4df9-8ce6-6708b461b4ff">Re: Party Time: How much do you drink at a wedding?</a>:
[QUOTE]Yeah, I'm the person that drinks until the bar closes. At a 4 hour night time reception I could easily drink more than seven drinks.<strong> I think I might be an outlier though.</strong>
Posted by annakb8[/QUOTE]

Yeah- I'm really interested to see if the results on E match the results on NEY. I appreciate everyone's input....from the outliers to the "average." :)

mica178 · December 2011

If I'm actually dancing, I drink even more. I guess I'm an expensive guest. I do, however, bring good gifts, and my wedding had a very open bar!

achiduck · December 2011

I'm not a big drinker at any event, even when it's free I'd have 3 max.

FutureMrsTR · December 2011

Anna - I always get a kick out of you saying how much you drink at parties/weddings. Because even after meeting you, I just have this idea of you being quieter and not much of a drinker. So I like it thinking of you as a lush

annakb8 · December 2011

Yeah TR, I'm definitely a lush. And I was tipsy the first time we hung out and drunk the second time, so maybe I just hide it well?

lunarsongbird · December 2011

It definitely seems like a drink an hour is pretty average. This is good to keep in mind.

[QUOTE] I'd suggest, in your case, provide a few options of beers, some great wine (chosen by your FI of course :-) ), and maybe one or two signature cocktails. I think that might be easier to figure out quantities than trying to stock an entire bar for a weekend.
Posted by mkrupar[/QUOTE]

I think this is a great idea. Now I'll get to research some fun and fresh signature cocktails. Being at a vacation rental (and providing our own alcohol AND food) gives us so much flexibility! We're thinking a few micro-brewed kegs. And did you know they even put wine in kegs now (which we probably won't do...but neat).

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_party-time-much-drink-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:977d09e2-7e99-4089-a9e6-7e4f03894defPost:8ae83cfd-5ead-463d-8086-678f6dc84e48">Re: Party Time: How much do you drink at a wedding?</a>:
[QUOTE]Favorite wedding beverage? I guess I don't really care that much. I'll drink anything. I like when Champagne is an option though, not necessarily a Champagne toast, but I like when I can get it at the bar.
Posted by annakb8[/QUOTE]

Have you had prosecco asti at any weddings? Yumm....so good with wedding cake. We'll also have a pink prosecco available for guests, because I love how it tastes like strawberries!

annakb8 · December 2011

Yep, we actually served prosecco at our wedding. I like it better than Champagne. But any sparkly wine is fun

mica178 · December 2011

I love all sparkling wine at weddings.

I think drinking with Anna sounds like fun.

FutureMrsTR · December 2011

I think you hide it really well, haha. Plus, I was at the other end of the table at the giant DC GTG so I didn't really get to see you too much.

mkrupar · December 2011

Drinking with Anna is awesome! Hanging out with Anna in general is a great time.

lunarsongbird · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_party-time-much-drink-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:977d09e2-7e99-4089-a9e6-7e4f03894defPost:32134392-40c3-469d-8cfb-91bdfbf1fa7d">Re: Party Time: How much do you drink at a wedding?</a>:
[QUOTE]Yep, we actually served prosecco at our wedding. I like it better than Champagne. But any sparkly wine is fun
Posted by annakb8[/QUOTE]

Bubbles make everything better...
Sparkling wines. Yummy craft beers. Bubbly cocktails.
I agree. Sparkly wine is super fun.

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mkrupar · December 2011

I love sparkling wine and champagne too. Maybe one of your cocktails could be a champagne cocktail.

lunarsongbird · December 2011

Excellent idea! Have you ladies tried champagne with hibiscus flower?

I guess the guys probably wouldn't be too into.

mkrupar · December 2011

I haven't, but you could do something like that and a more manly cocktail.

LesPaul · December 2011

I said 4-5, assuming DH is driving and we're there for several hours. I prefer red wine, and he's an IPA man. We were married at a B&B and they let us bring all our own beverages too - it was great. We just did beer & wine, with a champagne toast.

LesPaul · December 2011

Where are you in Colorado?

lunarsongbird · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_party-time-much-drink-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:977d09e2-7e99-4089-a9e6-7e4f03894defPost:577448c0-3d5e-4efd-b471-2fc3f145b9ad">Re: Party Time: How much do you drink at a wedding?</a>:
[QUOTE]Where are you in Colorado?
Posted by LesPaul[/QUOTE]

I'm in the Springs. You? However- we'll be getting married in California.

LesPaul · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_party-time-much-drink-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:977d09e2-7e99-4089-a9e6-7e4f03894defPost:f707814b-c70a-4fd3-82c5-59812fce8f8d">Re: Party Time: How much do you drink at a wedding?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Party Time: How much do you drink at a wedding? : I'm in the Springs. You? However- we'll be getting married in California.
Posted by lunarsongbird[/QUOTE]

I'm in the Springs, too. 8-)

lunarsongbird · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_party-time-much-drink-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:977d09e2-7e99-4089-a9e6-7e4f03894defPost:566f0686-f8a3-4052-a83c-938896721d37">Re: Party Time: How much do you drink at a wedding?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Party Time: How much do you drink at a wedding? : I'm in the Springs, too. 8-)
Posted by LesPaul[/QUOTE]

Oh la la! Are there any other regs on E from Colorado? I met a great gal on NEY, but she's all the way in Littleton.

RaptorSLH · December 2011

Just for the outlier:

I drink situationally. At my cousin's full open bar, evening at the country club wedding, where the heavy drinkers had one in each hand, I was never without one. I had at least one an hour all night. At a friend's small, casual, daytime in the park wedding, I had exactly one alcoholic drink, and that was because the bride and groom called all their friends to the bar for a shot of their favorite whiskey.

I'm also fussy - I don't like the taste of alcohol, so I mostly drink cocktails and mixers (or "beers" like Smirnoff Ice that aren't usual wedding fare.) That means if it's a beer and wine event, I may not drink at all. If it's a full open bar, mixed drinks may cost more than the other choices, but that's what I'm having.

I know I'm the exception, but I do think even the more consistent drinkers will tailor their intake somewhat based on the event. An unlimited, full selection open bar invites revelers to pull out all the stops and indulge. Uncle Joe pulling beers from a cooler encourages a more sedate pace. I'd bet that psychological factor is as much a part of the reduced cost of a limited bar as the actual cost of the alcohol itself.

Party Time: How much do you drink at a wedding?

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