Worth the risk to save money?

sonthirathb · July 2013

Any Canadians on the boards? Especially in Ontario?

I just received my special occasion permit to serve alcohol at my upcoming wedding next month. We will be hosting the bar so we could not go under the the permit of the banquet hall. Cash bars are common in the area (eeek! I know) Anyway, I was given the speech on how it is important I can only buy the liquor in Ontario and the permit must be present at the point of sale. Also if the AGCO decides to show up at my reception, they can check the liquor and if found out that I did not use the permit or purchase in Ontario they can shut down my event. It was actually quite scary.

However everyone knows how much cheaper liquor is in USA and even Quebec. I calculated 40 cases of beer would save me $600 if bought in Quebec. It is also like an 8 hour drive from where I am. The hard liquor is also always on sale at the duty free across the border as well. A bottle of Hennessey XO costs us $270 here and at the duty free I have heard it can go as low at $150

I have only ever heard of 1 persons reception being shut down due to not following the strict rules. I believe that happened over 10 years ago as well. Is it worth the risk to save money? Have you ever heard of someones event being shut down? I have also heard they really only check buck and does (yes common in the area too)

JoanE2012 · July 2013

sonthirathb said:

Any Canadians on the boards? Especially in Ontario?

I just received my special occasion permit to serve alcohol at my upcoming wedding next month. We will be hosting the bar so we could not go under the the permit of the banquet hall. Cash bars are common in the area (eeek! I know) Anyway, I was given the speech on how it is important I can only buy the liquor in Ontario and the permit must be present at the point of sale. Also if the AGCO decides to show up at my reception, they can check the liquor and if found out that I did not use the permit or purchase in Ontario they can shut down my event. It was actually quite scary.

However everyone knows how much cheaper liquor is in USA and even Quebec. I calculated 40 cases of beer would save me $600 if bought in Quebec. It is also like an 8 hour drive from where I am. The hard liquor is also always on sale at the duty free across the border as well. A bottle of Hennessey XO costs us $270 here and at the duty free I have heard it can go as low at $150

I have only ever heard of 1 persons reception being shut down due to not following the strict rules. I believe that happened over 10 years ago as well. Is it worth the risk to save money? Have you ever heard of someones event being shut down? I have also heard they really only check buck and does (yes common in the area too)

Skip the cash bar and you don't have to worry about the risk!

Seriously, cash bars are rude, no matter how common in your area. Think about it. You are hosting your guests. Why should they have to open up their wallet? If you cannot afford an open bar, perhaps scale it back to wine and beer. Or have a dry wedding.

Alcohol should be looked at as part of the wedding budget, just as your dress, your flowers, your photographer, etc. I don't get why people just forget about the alcohol and leave that expense to their guests. Heck, with that thinking, why not just charge people for a slice of your wedding cake? Or for the entree itself? You'll save even more money that way!

AddieCake · July 2013

I read it that they are NOT having a cash bar and are hosting it and she was just sharing that cash bars are common.

I don't think I would risk doing something illegal that could get my even shut down.

jessicabessica · July 2013

I would not risk it. I don't know if you know tons of people or what, but if I knew of one person that had actually had their event shut down, that would seem like a very real possibility to me. It would be terrible to be stressed about that happening the day of your wedding.

I also would encourage you to take into account the cost of gas and your time before driving 16 hours round trip to save $600.

Dreamergirl8812 · July 2013

Not worth the risk. Buy it in Canada.

NYCBruin · July 2013

jessicabessica said:

I would not risk it. I don't know if you know tons of people or what, but if I knew of one person that had actually had their event shut down, that would seem like a very real possibility to me. It would be terrible to be stressed about that happening the day of your wedding.

I also would encourage you to take into account the cost of gas and your time before driving 16 hours round trip to save $600.

This. It seems like a big headache to save what will end up being a lot less than $600.

I also can't advocate you breaking the law. It seems like too big of a risk to me.

sonthirathb · July 2013

JoanE2012 said:

sonthirathb said:

Any Canadians on the boards? Especially in Ontario?

I just received my special occasion permit to serve alcohol at my upcoming wedding next month. We will be hosting the bar so we could not go under the the permit of the banquet hall. Cash bars are common in the area (eeek! I know) Anyway, I was given the speech on how it is important I can only buy the liquor in Ontario and the permit must be present at the point of sale. Also if the AGCO decides to show up at my reception, they can check the liquor and if found out that I did not use the permit or purchase in Ontario they can shut down my event. It was actually quite scary.

However everyone knows how much cheaper liquor is in USA and even Quebec. I calculated 40 cases of beer would save me $600 if bought in Quebec. It is also like an 8 hour drive from where I am. The hard liquor is also always on sale at the duty free across the border as well. A bottle of Hennessey XO costs us $270 here and at the duty free I have heard it can go as low at $150

I have only ever heard of 1 persons reception being shut down due to not following the strict rules. I believe that happened over 10 years ago as well. Is it worth the risk to save money? Have you ever heard of someones event being shut down? I have also heard they really only check buck and does (yes common in the area too)

Skip the cash bar and you don't have to worry about the risk!

Seriously, cash bars are rude, no matter how common in your area. Think about it. You are hosting your guests. Why should they have to open up their wallet? If you cannot afford an open bar, perhaps scale it back to wine and beer. Or have a dry wedding.

Alcohol should be looked at as part of the wedding budget, just as your dress, your flowers, your photographer, etc. I don't get why people just forget about the alcohol and leave that expense to their guests. Heck, with that thinking, why not just charge people for a slice of your wedding cake? Or for the entree itself? You'll save even more money that way!

Yeh I agree with all your are saying. I am not having a cash bar.

sonthirathb · July 2013

jessicabessica said:

I would not risk it. I don't know if you know tons of people or what, but if I knew of one person that had actually had their event shut down, that would seem like a very real possibility to me. It would be terrible to be stressed about that happening the day of your wedding.

I also would encourage you to take into account the cost of gas and your time before driving 16 hours round trip to save $600.

I did not even consider the cost of gas and hotel just to save $600. Thanks!

sonthirathb · July 2013

Liatris2010 said:

Save yourself the worry and time, and spend the money.

ETA: Instead of thinking about it as an extra $600 on booze, think of it as an extra $600 to make sure your wedding isn't shut down and guests aren't kicked out. $600 should start to seem like a bargain.

Awesome way to look at it.

The 2 bartenders I hired said that in the 5 years they have been doing weddings they have only had 1 inspection and most likely b/c the permit holder may have had previous issues and was kind of shady. They said if it was held in the city they would advise to go ahead and purchase out of province.

Since my reception will be in a small town it could be normal for them to show up and do an inspection since only 1 event a night. I am thinking it is not worth the risk! What is $600 when you are already spending an arm and a leg haha.

Jen4948 · July 2013

Don't take the risk. Budget for whatever you are going to serve, including alcohol, and pay for it all yourself without trying to pass the costs on to your guests.

sonthirathb · July 2013

Jen4948 said:

Don't take the risk. Budget for whatever you are going to serve, including alcohol, and pay for it all yourself without trying to pass the costs on to your guests.

I agree that is why I am having a host bar and not a cash bar.

monkeysip · July 2013

Sounds like you're making the better decision! You reeeaally don't want that added stress!

Also, if you're stocking your own bar, seems like you could get some cheaper/on sale brands. I know our local liquor stores have good periodic sales, and you really don't need top dollar liquor. At least in H's and my families, they couldn't have cared less. They just enjoyed the open bar

JoanE2012 · July 2013

sonthirathb said:

JoanE2012 said:

sonthirathb said:

Any Canadians on the boards? Especially in Ontario?

I just received my special occasion permit to serve alcohol at my upcoming wedding next month. We will be hosting the bar so we could not go under the the permit of the banquet hall. Cash bars are common in the area (eeek! I know) Anyway, I was given the speech on how it is important I can only buy the liquor in Ontario and the permit must be present at the point of sale. Also if the AGCO decides to show up at my reception, they can check the liquor and if found out that I did not use the permit or purchase in Ontario they can shut down my event. It was actually quite scary.

However everyone knows how much cheaper liquor is in USA and even Quebec. I calculated 40 cases of beer would save me $600 if bought in Quebec. It is also like an 8 hour drive from where I am. The hard liquor is also always on sale at the duty free across the border as well. A bottle of Hennessey XO costs us $270 here and at the duty free I have heard it can go as low at $150

I have only ever heard of 1 persons reception being shut down due to not following the strict rules. I believe that happened over 10 years ago as well. Is it worth the risk to save money? Have you ever heard of someones event being shut down? I have also heard they really only check buck and does (yes common in the area too)

Skip the cash bar and you don't have to worry about the risk!

Seriously, cash bars are rude, no matter how common in your area. Think about it. You are hosting your guests. Why should they have to open up their wallet? If you cannot afford an open bar, perhaps scale it back to wine and beer. Or have a dry wedding.

Alcohol should be looked at as part of the wedding budget, just as your dress, your flowers, your photographer, etc. I don't get why people just forget about the alcohol and leave that expense to their guests. Heck, with that thinking, why not just charge people for a slice of your wedding cake? Or for the entree itself? You'll save even more money that way!

Yeh I agree with all your are saying. I am not having a cash bar.

Yay! I misinterpreted your original post. Don't risk it.....the money saved is definitely not worth the risk, no matter how small, of having your reception shut down.

AddieCake · July 2013

@Dreamergirl8812

What is up with your sig pics? They are just GIANT empty boxes.

doeydo · July 2013

Not worth the risk or the hassle/gas money.

Worth the risk to save money?

Re: Worth the risk to save money?

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