How much Alcohol?

QueerFemme · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:0b1e3067-3d39-4c7f-9845-8575fc6a9dd2">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : FFS. Way to over exaggerate. Providing one of the MOST common forms of liquor is hardly providing every.liquor.on.the.planet. It's not like I said you should also have Creme de Menthe and Courvoisier.
Posted by jcbsjr[/QUOTE]

Ha !! I was thinking the same thing. Vodka is probably the most commonly consumed liquor in this country. Much more common than whisky. You don't have to do a full bar, but vodka should really be a staple, and you don't have to provide a bunch of mixers.

thurmanpowell · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:1a695799-4ee2-49ad-bd91-0782cedc8554">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : On this topic.... I won't drink any dark liquors. They make me sick. this is not uncommon for most of my friend circle. I know you don't like vodka, but it is a pretty good staple, and can be mixed with the lemonade you are already providing.
Posted by cmgilpin[/QUOTE]

It won't be spiced rum so rum was going to be our "light" option. I'd go with gin but so few people drink it, or silver tequila, but that seems like a recipe for disaster.

I understand that a lot of people like Vodka, but neither FI or I drink it often and we don't really want the left overs. Everyone who drinks liquor on our guest lists drinks whiskey and I'm only aware of one who doesn't drink rum. Plus, they should be fine with beer, wine, and champagne as well.

Plus, Plus.... I REALLY freaking love mojitos.

QueerFemme · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:b35d5c92-fe46-4358-9814-b546814ed6ba">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : It won't be spiced rum so rum was going to be our "light" option. I'd go with gin but so few people drink it, or silver tequila, but that seems like a recipe for disaster. I understand that a lot of people like Vodka, but neither FI or I drink it often and we don't really want the left overs. Everyone who drinks liquor on our guest lists drinks whiskey and I'm only aware of one who doesn't drink rum. Plus, they should be fine with beer, wine, and champagne as well. Plus, Plus.... I REALLY freaking love mojitos.
Posted by thurmanpowell[/QUOTE]

Ok. well, you are pretty stubborn about the no vodka thing based on what you drink/dont drink. I won't drink rum either (even light rum). Vodka is cheap. I really recommend you buy a few large bottles and be done with it. If you buy cheaper vodka, you are talking about $40 bucks for 3-4 bottles. If you have leftovers, it's not a huge deal. And, I imagine it will eventually be used if you ever have a dinner party or gathering later. It's not like it will go bad.

thurmanpowell · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:b0aff334-e20f-4d16-a4f0-a6f030127464">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : Yep, that was my point, too. And like another PP said, it does go with Sour mix. Fine if you only want to provide what YOU like but when you're hosting, aren't you supposed to take your guests likes into consideration? You said in your OP that you know way more people like vodka but you refuse to serve it. That's really being pretty close minded and d!ickish to your guests. As far as your burger comparison? Stupid, too. <strong>If you were only providing burgers and whisky (for example) as the ONLY thing to eat/drink, I sure wouldn't be at your reception very long. I</strong> don't care for crab cakes but I knew my guests would enjoy them, especially since it's a specialty of the venue. So yeah, I served something that I HATE. JFC. You know what? I didn't have to eat one.
Posted by jcbsjr[/QUOTE]

And you accuse me of over exaggeration? I'm serving beer, wine, champagne, and a whiskey and rum drink station. No one is left out. Are you kidding me with this? No Vodka = no you? No Vodka = dickish? Lol.

Oh, and nice fail on my example. I didn't say I should only serve burgers because people like them, I said that I don't HAVE to serve something because people like it. People don't hate every type of drink I'll have availible. There's no reason to add to the list because people ALSO like something else.

Also, you aren't invited so I fail to see how you could possibly be so vitriolic over this.

thurmanpowell · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:6d79c9b4-3bb0-480e-92dc-e8f7fa70fc8c">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : <strong>Ok. well, you are pretty stubborn about the no vodka thing based on what you drink/dont drink. </strong> I won't drink rum either (even light rum). Vodka is cheap. I really recommend you buy a few large bottles and be done with it. If you buy cheaper vodka, you are talking about $40 bucks for 3-4 bottles. If you have leftovers, it's not a huge deal. And, I imagine it will eventually be used if you ever have a dinner party or gathering later. It's not like it will go bad.
Posted by cmgilpin[/QUOTE]

I am. I've been to and thrown plenty of parties without a drop of Vodka. It's not that serious. Also, our alcohol expenditure won't warrant a full staffed bar. Probably only about 40-50 people drink and of those maybe half will even touch liquor.

Right now the mixers/garnishes list is:

Soda (might leave this out in favor of 7 up)
Tonic
bitters
lime
oranges
sour
mint

It's pretty whiskey heavy but works with rum for a few different drinks. We were going to do signiture drinks of Mojitos and Old fashioned, but decided to leave it out so people could make their own combinations of things. To have decent vodka offerings we'd have to change our mixers.

QueerFemme · November 2012

PS. I hate wine. But, I bought 11 case of it for my wedding. I also hate seafood, of all kinds. But, I had ceviche as an appetizer at my wedding.

thurmanpowell · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:9391abb4-b888-4f13-8ec0-e92f22e5afa2">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]Vitriolic? Hilarious. Nope, <strong>I'm just pointing out what everyone else is also saying. </strong> Vodka = most common alcohol. Why is that difficult to understand? The most basic bar on the planet that serves hard liquor, would have vodka. Crap on a cracker. I'm not invited. Sad face. ::eyeroll:: And I'm done taling to a brick.wall.
Posted by jcbsjr[/QUOTE]

No... you aren't. It's just you and in the last 10 minutes you've wrangled ONE other person into it.

Nobody else seems to be hell bent on me adding Vodka to my drinks list.

Also, Vodka isn't the most common alcohol. Beer and Wine easily top that list. ANd even though I like beer even less than I like Vodka, we're having it. Because beer drinkers don't always cross over into wine or liqour. However, No one on our guest list must drink and must only drink Vodka.

thurmanpowell · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:8e80c31f-b07a-4393-8fda-5568507d91ca">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]PS. I hate wine. But, I bought 11 case of it for my wedding. I also hate seafood, of all kinds. But, I had ceviche as an appetizer at my wedding.
Posted by cmgilpin[/QUOTE]

I like wine and seafood. I would be perfectly content drinking wine and eating seafood at a wedding. But I also like Rum. A lot of people like rum. A rum/coke is one of the most popular drinks.

Why wasn't there rum?

daveANDkristen · November 2012

OP, I think the main thing is that some PP, and I'll add myself to that, think it is silly to leave out what is probably the most common liquor due to your personal tastes. I don't think it is dickish, I just don't think it's a very good reason.

May I ask how many guests you are having? FI and I bought for 150 guests, since we started purchasing before all of the RSVPs came back, but only had about 115. This is what we offered:

2 white wines (Moscato and Riesling)
2 red wines (Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon)
We chose Fish Eye wines because they are inexpensive (even moreso in boxes) but this brand also comes in bottles. We bought a total of 14 boxes (equivalent to 56 bottles)

2 Domestic beers (Bud Light and Busch)
1 Import (Dos Equis)
We bought 320 bottles (ten 20-pack cases of Bud Light, six 12-packs of Busch, and four 12-packs of Dos Equis)

Svedka Vodka x3
Jim Beam Bourbon x2
Captain Morgan Spiced Rum x2
Bacardi White Rum x2
The bottles of liquor we bought were 1.5 Liter ("handle") bottles, all of which we purchased at Sam's Club for $16-20 each. We found these prices to be very reasonable for the brands we purchased, and in case it is helpful to anyone, you do not have to be a Sam's Club member to purchase liquor there (at least in Missouri, but I would assume elsewhere)

Unopened, I believe we had 5 boxes of wine, one bottle of vodka and one bottle of white rum, and a considerable amount of beer (I would guess 75-100 bottles). We also had partials of some things left over.

I think the amounts we purchased would have been nearly perfect for 150 people. Of course, we did not have champagne so I can't speak to that. We used each of the drink calculators PPs mentioned, and I think a few others that came up in a google search, and then just kinda averaged them together. We also did hire a bartender at $20/hour, and I would highly encourage you to do so. Aside from the liability issues PPs have addressed, it is so nice to have one less thing to worry about/keep your eye on that night!

One last thing I wanted to add, I think it's a little strange that you aren't serving any sodas. I would definitely add at least one or two choices, as many people would prefer it to the other soft drinks you mentioned (as a standalone drink or a mixer). Good Luck and HTH!

emeejeeayen · November 2012

I hate rum, and I hate whiskey. I also hate tequila. And bourbon. And beer. All of it will be served at my wedding, though. Just like my FI hates cheese, but one of our entrees will probably have it as an option since he eats meat, and I'm vegetarian. Make a sacrifice so that your guests are gauranteed to have a good time.

I cannot understand for the life of me why you wouldn't buy 1-2 fewer bottles of rum and get some additional vodka.

The weeks following your wedding do you want people to remember they had a good time or do you want people to remember that you had beverages they were unable to enjoy?

I worked for a major film company, and their holiday party was INSANE. It was HUGE, and clearly they spent a ton of time on it. Do you know what I remember most? That they only served beer, wine and whiskey. I tried to drink a whiskey cocktail and got instantly nauseated. Good effing times.

So, buy a couple bottles of vodka and call it a day.

NYCMercedes · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:e04221c6-f2f9-450e-bec8-9c28d1638742">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : No... you aren't. It's just you and in the last 10 minutes you've wrangled ONE other person into it. Nobody else seems to be hell bent on me adding Vodka to my drinks list. Also, Vodka isn't the most common alcohol. Beer and Wine easily top that list. ANd even though I like beer even less than I like Vodka, we're having it. Because beer drinkers don't always cross over into wine or liqour. However, No one on our guest list must drink and must only drink Vodka.
Posted by thurmanpowell[/QUOTE]

Two

thurmanpowell · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:36e49614-5f73-4436-87bc-cfe4e1316d0a">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]I hate rum, and I hate whiskey. I also hate tequila. And bourbon. And beer. All of it will be served at my wedding, though. Just like my FI hates cheese, but one of our entrees will probably have it as an option since he eats meat, and I'm vegetarian. Make a sacrifice so that your guests are gauranteed to have a good time. I cannot understand for the life of me why you wouldn't buy <strong>1-2 fewer bottles of rum and get some additional vodka.</strong> The weeks following your wedding do you want people to remember they had a good time or do you want people to remember that you had beverages they were unable to enjoy? I worked for a major film company, and their holiday party was INSANE. It was HUGE, and clearly they spent a ton of time on it. Do you know what I remember most? That they only served beer, wine and whiskey. I tried to drink a whiskey cocktail and got instantly nauseated. Good effing times. So, buy a couple bottles of vodka and call it a day.
Posted by emeejeeayen[/QUOTE]

Haha. Every calculator that has been suggested on here shows 2 - 3 bottles in total of liqour. As I've said, we don't have that many guests who will drink liqour. It's pointless to have a fully stocked bar. That's way the choices have been narrowed done to two options.

Matter of fact, I've been to corporate events before where only one or two types of liqour were served. The fact that you have as well makes it even less weird. Whiskey only events are what made me learn to love whiskey to begin with!

thurmanpowell · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:4269392c-d043-4889-a5f3-0f54535346ea">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]OP, I think the main thing is that some PP, and I'll add myself to that, think it is silly to leave out what is probably the most common liquor due to your personal tastes. I don't think it is dickish, I just don't think it's a very good reason. May I ask how many guests you are having? FI and I bought for 150 guests, since we started purchasing before all of the RSVPs came back, but only had about 115. This is what we offered: 2 white wines (Moscato and Riesling) 2 red wines (Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon) We chose Fish Eye wines because they are inexpensive (even moreso in boxes) but this brand also comes in bottles. We bought a total of 14 boxes (equivalent to 56 bottles) 2 Domestic beers (Bud Light and Busch) 1 Import (Dos Equis) We bought 320 bottles (ten 20-pack cases of Bud Light, six 12-packs of Busch, and four 12-packs of Dos Equis) Svedka Vodka x3 Jim Beam Bourbon x2 Captain Morgan Spiced Rum x2 Bacardi White Rum x2 The bottles of liquor we bought were 1.5 Liter ("handle") bottles, all of which we purchased at Sam's Club for $16-20 each. We found these prices to be very reasonable for the brands we purchased, and in case it is helpful to anyone, you do not have to be a Sam's Club member to purchase liquor there (at least in Missouri, but I would assume elsewhere) Unopened, I believe we had 5 boxes of wine, one bottle of vodka and one bottle of white rum, and a considerable amount of beer (I would guess 75-100 bottles). We also had partials of some things left over. I think the amounts we purchased would have been nearly perfect for 150 people. Of course, we did not have champagne so I can't speak to that. We used each of the drink calculators PPs mentioned, and I think a few others that came up in a google search, and then just kinda averaged them together. We also did hire a bartender at $20/hour, and I would highly encourage you to do so. Aside from the liability issues PPs have addressed, it is so nice to have one less thing to worry about/keep your eye on that night! One last thing I wanted to add, I think it's a little strange that you aren't serving any sodas. I would definitely add at least one or two choices, as many people would prefer it to the other soft drinks you mentioned (as a standalone drink or a mixer). Good Luck and HTH!
Posted by daveANDkristen[/QUOTE]

All of our RSVPS aren't in yet, but we have about 150 people invited. Of these, maybe 75 are adults. Of those, about 40 will drink. Of those 40 about half are beer drinkers only.

We can't stock as well as you did for 20 people.

Also, I'm super jealous of your liquor prices! Ohio is very heavily regulated and while I don't have the entire price list memorized I can tell you a handle of Captain Morgan costs 32.50. I would kill for 20 dollar liquor. In fact, this would be a totally different situation as I would just buy more than I need.

thurmanpowell · November 2012

According to the drink calculator it looks like we're going with:

4 bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon (or Zinfandel if I can find a decently priced one)
4 Bottle of Chianti
4 Bottles of Riesling
4 bottles of Sauvignon blanc
80 bottles of beer (probably PBR)
8 bottles of champagne (undecided brand, recommendations welcome)

3 bottles of liqour (ezra brooks/bacardi)

QueerFemme · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:79a2da58-cb44-414d-938e-a108f6bcdeb2">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : I like wine and seafood. I would be perfectly content drinking wine and eating seafood at a wedding. But I also like Rum. A lot of people like rum. A rum/coke is one of the most popular drinks. Why wasn't there rum?
Posted by thurmanpowell[/QUOTE]

We didn't have rum, because we had beer, wine, champagne and two signature drinks.

thurmanpowell · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:174e8954-e33b-4d8b-afff-c499b5e553f6">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : We didn't have rum, because we had beer, wine, champagne and two signature drinks.
Posted by cmgilpin[/QUOTE]

I don't see how you don't understand then. As I said earlier, we were going to have two signiture drinks, mojito's and old fashioneds, then we realized how many more drinks you could make with the same ingrediants and went for a whiskey/rum bar. I shared a photo of our inspiration earlier, the idea is to have a signs laid out which show how to make about 6 drinks and have all the garnishes and mixers laid out on at a drink station.

It's not a fully stocked bar like what you would see in a club.

QueerFemme · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:e47c18dc-22b9-494e-936e-cf64f9217af5">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : I don't see how you don't understand then. As I said earlier, we were going to have two signiture drinks, mojito's and old fashioneds, then we realized how many more drinks you could make with the same ingrediants and went for a whiskey/rum bar. I shared a photo of our inspiration earlier, the idea is to have a signs laid out which show how to make about 6 drinks and have all the garnishes and mixers laid out on at a drink station. It's not a fully stocked bar like what you would see in a club.
Posted by thurmanpowell[/QUOTE]

I do understand. I'm not completely clueless. The reason we did the signature drinks were varied, but we wanted them pre-mixed in the kitchen and brought out, so we didn't have to have people pouring drinks. It can get messy and you go through a lot more liquor that way. Also, same as you, we didn't want to have to provide a bunch of mixers. So, we provided two beer choices, four wine choices, and two signature drinks.

What I am saying is... if you are going to provide straight liquor for people to mix their own (or have a bartender mix) drinks, it wouldn't be a huge expense or really even inconvenient, to provide one of the most commonly consumed hard liquor choices. You already have mixers that will go with vodka.

If you were going to already have the signature drinks mixed, then I would say stick with the original plan. But, if you are going to have bottles of liquor and mixers anyway, just add the vodka.

QueerFemme · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:28817a22-49a4-4cce-acf6-38fd572786c5">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]According to the drink calculator it looks like we're going with: 4 bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon (or Zinfandel if I can find a decently priced one) 4 Bottle of Chianti 4 Bottles of Riesling 4 bottles of Sauvignon blanc 80 bottles of beer (probably PBR) 8 bottles of champagne (undecided brand, recommendations welcome) 3 bottles of liqour (ezra brooks/bacardi)
Posted by thurmanpowell[/QUOTE]

My recommendation, if you want to do a budget wine, is go to Trader Joes. It isn't the best wine, but it's totally drinkable. Charles Shaw (2buck Chuck) is $1.99 in California, but I think, $2.99 in other states.

If you don't have that many drinkers anyway, I would probably just go with a Merlot or Cabernet for a red, and Pinot Grigio or Reisling for a white. Chianti isn't really a commonly drank wine for events, and it is an acquired taste (in my opinion). (Most casual wine drinkers don't choose Chianti).

For beer, I would really recommend coming up a step from PBR. That is a budget beer, I get it, but it's pretty gross. At least do a Miller or a Budweiser. You can get cases of beer on sale for pretty cheap, and with the low number of beer drinkers you are talking about, you aren't looking at spending a lot of money. 80 bottles of beer is barely 4 cases. Spring for a better beer.

Cooks is a decent, budget champagne. If you have a costco card, you can buy it there for pretty cheap by the case.

lyndausvi · November 2012

1) we had to provide all our beverages. We asked the liquor store providing the product to give us estimates. Then we adjusted the amounts do to our guests preference. Ironically vodka is very popular so we upped those amounts. Whiskey was not a big seller so we lowered those amounts. All unopened bottles could be returned for a full refund, so adding too much was not an issue with us.

2) I always recommend hiring a bartender.

3) I thinks its lame to add sparkling apple cider to instead of wine to the kids table. Having it as an option is great.

On another note I find champagne to be a complete waste of money. Save your money, use some of the champagne money for vodka and add a few bottles for people who actually want champagne. You will find most people will want to toast with just the drink they have on their hand (which most of the time is not champagne).

And I say this as a champagne drinker.

ROBINRENE5 · November 2012

Leaving alcohol on a table with kids nearby sounds like a terrible idea. I'm all for serving alcohol at a wedding, but I don't think that it should be accessible to anyone under the age of 21. Leaving sparkling grape juice on the table sounds like a much better option to me.

As far as the DIY bar, it sounds like is could lead to disaster. As others have said, the liability issue seems like a big deal to me. Be cautious with that.

And its your wedding, and you know your guests, so go with your best judgement, but your drink options do seem rather limited. Not having any soda seems odd to me as well.

Good luck planning!

thurmanpowell · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:2ee67be5-7c02-41ae-b209-208740b8c553">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]1) we had to provide all our beverages. We asked the liquor store providing the product to give us estimates. Then we adjusted the amounts do to our guests preference. Ironically vodka is very popular so we upped those amounts. Whiskey was not a big seller so we lowered those amounts. All unopened bottles could be returned for a full refund, so adding too much was not an issue with us. 2) I always recommend hiring a bartender. 3) I thinks its lame to add sparkling apple cider to instead of wine to the kids table. Having it as an option is great. O<strong>n another note I find champagne to be a complete waste of money. </strong> Save your money, use some of the champagne money for vodka and add a few bottles for people who actually want champagne. You will find most people will want to toast with just the drink they have on their hand (which most of the time is not champagne). And I say this as a champagne drinker.
Posted by lyndausvi[/QUOTE]

I agree with you, however, I absolutely must have champagne for my wedding so I need to provide enough for everyone if they so choose. Our wedding is a week before new years so I guarantee it won't go to waste. =)

The issue with serving Vodka isn't necessarily an issue with price. I'm sure your liquor store told you that Vodka goes faster than whiskey at a traditional bar and I whole heartedly believe that. Vodka goes in just about every shot versus whiskey, and vodka mixes well with a lot of things since its basically tasteless. The only whiskey shot I can think of is a Washington apple, which is done with vodka half the time. There are few whiskey cocktails most bars are equipped to served and most whiskey is sipped.

However, we're having a drink station dedicated to whiskey and rum cocktails. It's an issue of space to add all the extra stuff for Vodka drinkers. Suddenly we have to get and coordinate for juices, soft drinks, and extra garnishes. MOST people don't drink Vodka and sours. Most people don't even drink a lot of Vodka tonics.

There's no point adding vodka so a couple people can have a Vodka sour. If we had a full bar I would certainly serve Vodka. But Vodka doesn't really fit into the themed drinks thing we have going on here.

lauralaur · November 2012

Vodka and Coke is my drink of choice (either Gray Goose or cherry flavored vodka) and I also like vodka lemonade, so I could easily make a drink with what you're offering if vodka was offered.

On the DIY bar, I wouldn't recommend it. If H's family got a hold of a DIY bar you can bet those drinks would be 3/4 liquor and they'd keep going back for more.

lyndausvi · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:6cbdbc6c-3f15-47ab-8c22-c40c6b0f81a4">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : I agree with you, however, I absolutely must have champagne for my wedding so I need to provide enough for everyone if they so choose. Our wedding is a week before new years so I guarantee it won't go to waste. =) The issue with serving Vodka isn't necessarily an issue with price. I'm sure your liquor store told you that Vodka goes faster than whiskey at a traditional bar and I whole heartedly believe that. Vodka goes in just about every shot versus whiskey, and vodka mixes well with a lot of things since its basically tasteless. The only whiskey shot I can think of is a Washington apple, which is done with vodka half the time. There are few whiskey cocktails most bars are equipped to served and most whiskey is sipped. However, we're having a drink station dedicated to whiskey and rum cocktails. It's an issue of space to add all the extra stuff for Vodka drinkers. Suddenly we have to get and coordinate for juices, soft drinks, and extra garnishes. MOST people don't drink Vodka and sours. Most people don't even drink a lot of Vodka tonics. There's no point adding vodka so a couple people can have a Vodka sour. If we had a full bar I would certainly serve Vodka. But Vodka doesn't really fit into the themed drinks thing we have going on here.
Posted by thurmanpowell[/QUOTE]

<div>I missed the fact you are not have soda at your wedding. Most people i know drink rum and coke or diet coke. A lot of my whiskey drinkers drink whiskey and coke. </div><div>
</div><div>However, you said you might have club soda and tonic. Most people I know drink vodka with those two options. </div><div>
</div><div>As a former bartender I'm just not following your logic.</div>

emeejeeayen · November 2012

I would only drink rum with coke or pineapple juice if I were forced to drink it. I would drink vodka with all the options you've mentioned. No one is saying whiskey is a bad choice. You said something about shots that I could not understand at all - most people use vodka to do shots but not whiskey? What the what?

thurmanpowell · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:b79b22c6-8607-417a-88db-bcc84e1ca8cf">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : I missed the fact you are not have soda at your wedding. Most people i know drink rum and coke or diet coke. A lot of my whiskey drinkers drink whiskey and coke. <strong> However, you said you might have club soda and tonic. Most people I know drink vodka with those two options. As a former bartender I'm just not following your logic.</strong>
Posted by lyndausvi[/QUOTE]

He!!, <strong>I</strong> Drink Vodka tonic. but I don't drink a lot of Vodka tonics, and that was my point. A lot of People drink Vodka yes, but MOST people don't have Vodka tonics or Vodka soda's as their go to drink. I don't know anyone who can have wine, beer, champagne, rum and wiskey and not have anything else to drink because they need Vodka.

As a former bartender, what are your most commonly requested drinks?

I was under the impression that it was beer. As far as liqours, I would think it would be rum and coke, vodka cranberry or gin and tonic, right? Or Vodka redbull maybe now...

thurmanpowell · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:c82f6ba9-a2e0-417d-b289-3e7ac7a312b2">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]I would only drink rum with coke or pineapple juice if I were forced to drink it. I would drink vodka with all the options you've mentioned. No one is saying whiskey is a bad choice. You said something about shots that I could not understand at all - <strong>most people use vodka to do shots but not whiskey? What the what? </strong>
Posted by emeejeeayen[/QUOTE]

Yes... most people do use Vodka with shots. Someone (forget who) was saying their liqour store suggested they buy more Vodka and less whiskey. That's my explanation for that. Vodka WILL go faster because it's in just about every shot. People sip whiskey so it goes slower. With a fully stocked bar it makes loads of sense to have more Vodka and less Whiskey. However, we don't have a fully stocked bar and no one should be doing shots.

FYI, rum with coke and pineapple sounds delicious. PIneapple mimosas sound even better. If my venue had an actual bar I'd be tempted to stash some pinapple juice there.

emeejeeayen · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:535567ea-b8f9-476d-9a7b-9243a1860cd3">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : Yes... most people do use Vodka with shots. Someone (forget who) was saying their liqour store suggested they buy more Vodka and less whiskey. That's my explanation for that. Vodka WILL go faster because it's in just about every shot. People sip whiskey so it goes slower. With a fully stocked bar it makes loads of sense to have more Vodka and less Whiskey. However, we don't have a fully stocked bar and no one should be doing shots. FYI, rum with coke and pineapple sounds delicious. PIneapple mimosas sound even better. If my venue had an actual bar I'd be tempted to stash some pinapple juice there.
Posted by thurmanpowell[/QUOTE]

<div>I am the only person I know who does vodka shots - literally every other person uses whiskey or tequila. Primarily whiskey in my group. And who mixes shots? </div><div>
</div><div>(ETA: not every other person on the PLANET, just that I know, uses tequila or whiskey)</div>

thurmanpowell · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:df2033c4-36f9-4e0d-8274-132f1471b4f7">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : I am the only person I know who does vodka shots - literally every other person uses whiskey or tequila. Primarily whiskey in my group. And who mixes shots?
Posted by emeejeeayen[/QUOTE]

Nobody you know does bombs? Maybe it's a regional thing, but most shots people do here are bombs, usually with vodka (sometimes jaeger).

I was under the impression that shots of Whiskey weren't at all common anywhere. That's kinda waste, atually. Tequila is another story but it wasn't in the story the PP told so I left it out.

emeejeeayen · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:ffbad815-bcdc-48e4-942e-7849609eb486">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? : Nobody you know does bombs? Maybe it's a regional thing, but most shots people do here are bombs, usually with vodka (sometimes jaeger). I was under the impression that shots of Whiskey weren't at all common anywhere. That's kinda waste, atually. Tequila is another story but it wasn't in the story the PP told so I left it out.
Posted by thurmanpowell[/QUOTE]

<div>picklebacks, yo. get on that isht. </div><div>
</div><div>My friends are all in NYC and San Francisco, so I could say it's a regional thing, but if anyone suggests shots I try to vote vodka and get shot down every time. Jameson wins hands down every single time.</div>

thurmanpowell · November 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-much-alcohol?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:851752a7-78ac-4b51-81c0-c8435656be2cPost:4e9232ed-345d-41e6-ac46-da240c21a791">Re: How much Alcohol?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: How much Alcohol? :<strong> picklebacks, yo. get on that isht.</strong> My friends are all in NYC and San Francisco, so I could say it's a regional thing, but if anyone suggests shots I try to vote vodka and get shot down every time. Jameson wins hands down every single time.
Posted by emeejeeayen[/QUOTE]

Goggled this. This is happening.

How much Alcohol?

Re: How much Alcohol?

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