Open Bar

Karinabobina · July 2010

What's everyon's take on an open bar? We are going to be hosting an open bar for the first three hours of the event. This is all we can really afford. We will be serving unlimited soft drinks and champagne punch (kinda cheesey but it's what the event offered) through out the event. My mom is freaking out that people will think we are tacky that the bar will not be open the entire event? Is three hours ok? Especially since there will be drink choices after?

pandasquishy · July 2010

Three hours open bar is fine. You're fine as long as you never charge a guest for a drink.

kaesha · July 2010

If I understand you properly: you've got a limited bar with soft drinks and champagne punch all night and a full open bar for 3 hours. Is that right? I think you may have trouble telling people they need to switch from their gin and tonics to something sugary sweet like champagne punch or pop. An alternative might be to have a limited bar the whole time (soft drinks, champagne punch, wine and beer) so that once people get into a groove, they don't need to get out!

Trishes · July 2010

Have you explored the option of closing the bar during dinner?

We're doing beer & wine with soft drinks, iced tea, and lemondade available all night (four hours), and having wine table service during dinner.

Ashes_3 · July 2010

I think that you can end the open bar, but they should still have the option to get more to drink. I mean, you don't want them to have to pay for it, but if that is not in your budget to have the open bar the whole time, then maybe you should...if they want it, they can pay for it!

dizzinea · July 2010

can you have the open bar the last three hours? makes the most since to me, do the food and cake and then time it to start the open bar

Goldlie11 · July 2010

I would close the bar except the soft drinks/punch during dinner and the last hour. I hear that it's common to close the bar during dinner.

IDO10611 · July 2010

That's absolutely fine to have an open bar for 3 hours. The Last thing you want to have on your wedding night is someone getting into an accident from drinking and driving. So this is a great idea.

I actually spoke with my fiance & I think we are going to have signature drinks throughout from the cocktail hour to the 4th hour. Champagne & Wine during the dinner & soft drinks, water during the last hour. The idea is your guests are there to celebrate your union not drink til they pass out. With both families combined we do not have a lot of drinkers. I pretty much know what every one likes so I will satisfy everyone's palette.

Cocktail hour: Long Island Ice Tea, Pink Lady Martini, Apple Martini (wedding colors are pink & green), for kids, strawberry milk

Wine: Sutter Home White Zinfindale is my favorite

Champagne: Appeltini Raspberry is light & sweet & taste delicious.

Dont break your budget! Remember this is your day. Be Merry after the wedding when you donot wake up in debt!

Karinabobina · July 2010

IDO your drinks sounds great!

[Deleted User] · August 2010

We're doing beer/wine/soft drinks/tea during dinner (no cocktail hour). After dinner, the bar will open until an hour before the end of the reception. After that, we'll have a full coffee bar. In order to cut down my alcohol costs, I limited the selection to just one type of bourbon, rum and vodka. I'm sure they'll be something for everyone to enjoy!

Open Bar

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