Open bar at a wedding.

Author
Discussion

bobmcgod

Original Poster:

405 posts

193 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
Having a DIY wedding next year in a local village hall and we're wanting an open bar for out guests. We're having 40 people for the wedding breakfast and then around a 100-120 on the evening (depending on how many invitees RSVP). I've looked online for "calculators" that guestimate what we'll need but the problem is they all vary quite widely on what they think we'll need.

Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks in advance.


cuprabob

14,425 posts

213 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
Maybe this guy can give you some advice and possibly some cheap drink
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

B17NNS

18,506 posts

246 months

bobmcgod

Original Poster:

405 posts

193 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
Thanks!

essayer

9,011 posts

193 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
Might be worth switching to a paid bar at a certain time, stops people getting a drink then "forgetting" it, doubling up etc

anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
i would suggest a ticket system first few drink free then pay after that, stops people taking the piss as well as keeping people happy, free drinks. Also controls who has free drinks and stops crashers and champagne charlies.



hornetrider

63,161 posts

204 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
Totally open bar is a licence for disaster, not just on cost but with everyone getting bladdered.

4159265

141 posts

80 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
As mentioned, always a potential for disaster - depends on your guests.

Have been at one wedding where there was a full free bar, some tts deciding double and treble whiskeys (not cheap brands) were the booze of the day.

meehaja

607 posts

107 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
we had a paid bar, but stuck a load of money behind the bar and gave all the ushers/ best man etc tickets for free drinks, this meant they could approach a group of people they didn't know, get a round of drinks in without being out of pocket. Keeps the drinking sociable without everyone getting wrecked on your pocket!

85Carrera

3,503 posts

236 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
We had an open bar, actually cost less than we budgeted. If you have concerns certain people may take the piss, just don't invite them.

Most normal people won't.

DoubleSix

11,691 posts

175 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
Common for wine and beer to be free. You want anything else, you put your hand in your pocket!

anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
hornetrider said:
Totally open bar is a licence for disaster, not just on cost but with everyone getting bladdered.
And?

I would have thought that was the point.

Although having said that we have an open bar at our works do and it was a bit awkward when one of the lads died through alcohol poisoning.

Apart from that nothing worse than a few visits to A&E some wrecked marriages.

hornetrider

63,161 posts

204 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
hehe

talksthetorque

10,815 posts

134 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
DoubleSix said:
Common for wine and beer to be free. You want anything else, you put your hand in your pocket!
Which bride wants their wedding to be described as common?

Free (unannounced) Bar after the buffet - so that there's something in them to soak it up a bit?
On the downside - Chunkier puking.

anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
if it is in the village hall probably cheaper to drive to France and load up on booze and come back, then give booze for free. Combines road trip with your requirements, get a couple of students to dish it out.

Robertj21a

16,475 posts

104 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
Utter disaster if it's a free bar. No need to do it anyway, just the first 1-2 is more than enough.

Robertj21a

16,475 posts

104 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Rather depends on your guests, eh.

We all had a great time, no problems whatsoever. About €25 per guest doesnt seem extravagant to me, and is certainly not going to get a large number of people absolutely blotto'd.

Again, it depends on your guests. We had no qualms with ours.
I just don't think it's necessary anyway, regardless of who your guests are - just my personal preference.

williamp

19,217 posts

272 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
meehaja said:
we had a paid bar, but stuck a load of money behind the bar and gave all the ushers/ best man etc tickets for free drinks, this meant they could approach a group of people they didn't know, get a round of drinks in without being out of pocket. Keeps the drinking sociable without everyone getting wrecked on your pocket!
Thats what we did, with a barrel of Summer lightning beer (my favourite) for anyone to help themselves to if they wished.

Worked very well, with no complaints

DoubleSix

11,691 posts

175 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
talksthetorque said:
DoubleSix said:
Common for wine and beer to be free. You want anything else, you put your hand in your pocket!
Which bride wants their wedding to be described as common?

Free (unannounced) Bar after the buffet - so that there's something in them to soak it up a bit?
On the downside - Chunkier puking.
rolleyes

I think you'll find it is usual, common place, typical, characteristic, colloquial, conventional, customary, frequent, prevalent, or whatever word you chose without necessarily being st.

My own wedding was free everything but then no-one on our guest list would dream of drinking till they were "puking" as you say.

bobmcgod

Original Poster:

405 posts

193 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
The Spruce goose said:
i would suggest a ticket system first few drink free then pay after that, stops people taking the piss as well as keeping people happy, free drinks. Also controls who has free drinks and stops crashers and champagne charlies.
I probably should clarify. This isn't like a normal bar type open bar, more of a trip to France and fill up on what we can (pre order and get free crossing). So guests can just top up as they wish. The village hall is quite remote and in a respectful sort of place so we don't have any worries about gate crashers or anything.