Open bar at a wedding.
Discussion
DoubleSix said:
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 s
t.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.
We did a DIY bar last year for around 100 people and went for 100 bottles of wine for the tables, prosecco for toasts you can work out easily.
Then I went a bit overboard with everything else and still have a cupboard full of beer. But it was all cheap enough, mostly from Tesco. Everyone was pretty hammered, but if you tend not to invite dheads to your wedding why would that be a problem?
I knocked up some pretty raucous cocktails that sent lots of people over the edge. Great night!
You don't need to worry about having a huge selection of stuff, people aren't going to be fussy when they're not paying for it. We covered the basics and focused on quantity.
I had to build the bar as well, clearance kitchen cabinets from B&Q and worktops from Ikea, they're now going great guns in my workshop.
Then I went a bit overboard with everything else and still have a cupboard full of beer. But it was all cheap enough, mostly from Tesco. Everyone was pretty hammered, but if you tend not to invite d
heads to your wedding why would that be a problem?I knocked up some pretty raucous cocktails that sent lots of people over the edge. Great night!
You don't need to worry about having a huge selection of stuff, people aren't going to be fussy when they're not paying for it. We covered the basics and focused on quantity.
I had to build the bar as well, clearance kitchen cabinets from B&Q and worktops from Ikea, they're now going great guns in my workshop.
It is spectacularly bad form to invite people to an event and expect them to pay for bits of it
All of us probably know the odd person who might be tempted to overlook it on the night; that's what your ushers are there to keep on top of. If you're worried that more than the odd 'eccentric' might overdo it, you probably socialise with the wrong sort of people
All of us probably know the odd person who might be tempted to overlook it on the night; that's what your ushers are there to keep on top of. If you're worried that more than the odd 'eccentric' might overdo it, you probably socialise with the wrong sort of people
desolate said:
DoubleSix said:
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 s
t.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.
But we're of an age where we're going to a lot of weddings (two this month) and it's certainly not uncommon to have beer and wine free, spirits etc not... equally many just have free everything as you say.
If OP is doing a rural thing I would supply the lot personally.
ClaphamGT3 said:
It is spectacularly bad form to invite people to an event and expect them to pay for bits of it
All of us probably know the odd person who might be tempted to overlook it on the night; that's what your ushers are there to keep on top of. If you're worried that more than the odd 'eccentric' might overdo it, you probably socialise with the wrong sort of people
I definitely come from the opposite end of the social spectrum to you - but I agree about the paying for it bit.All of us probably know the odd person who might be tempted to overlook it on the night; that's what your ushers are there to keep on top of. If you're worried that more than the odd 'eccentric' might overdo it, you probably socialise with the wrong sort of people
What happens when the ushers are balls deep in the bride's mum? how do they keep hings under control then?
Plus a bit of a fight never did anyone any harm.
ClaphamGT3 said:
It is spectacularly bad form to invite people to an event and expect them to pay for bits of it
Oh quite! Would you believe I attended a ghastly event where one had to park one's own vehicle and there was no turning down service in the accommodation! Disgraceful...In reality I mix with a wide cross-section of folk and expect them to cut their cloth accordingly - some lavish, some basic. I'm there to wish them well on their big day not indulge myself.
Trust me, 25 years of experience people will take the piss.
If you really want to do it allow around £20 per head in the evening, restrict to no doubles, fizz, expensive drinks like Jagerbombs. I wouldn't bother during the day, arrival drink, wine, toast is plenty.
Personally I always advise set a limit, I suggest for your number 1k. Everyone gets a drink or alternatively give two vouchers per person.
If you really want to do it allow around £20 per head in the evening, restrict to no doubles, fizz, expensive drinks like Jagerbombs. I wouldn't bother during the day, arrival drink, wine, toast is plenty.
Personally I always advise set a limit, I suggest for your number 1k. Everyone gets a drink or alternatively give two vouchers per person.
We opted for plentiful supplies during the day but after the evening guests had arrived and were a few drinks in it switched to a paid bar. I don't mind paying for someone to enjoy drinks on me, but knew I'd find full drinks being left, wondering if orders were being rung through the till correctly etc irritating as the tab wouldn't be trivial to me.
In the OPs situation I'd just buy double what you think you need and take back the rest, or keep it. You can get good deals from the supermarket, booze on offer + delivery vouchers, 5% of a case etc etc or the likes of majestic do no quibble returns for this exact reason. Not quite as romantic as a booze run to France but probably more practical. There are plenty of guides online regarding quantities which you can adjust for your guests.
Eta: Another option that is often well received and relatively cheap at DIY jobs is a keg or two of the local beer.
In the OPs situation I'd just buy double what you think you need and take back the rest, or keep it. You can get good deals from the supermarket, booze on offer + delivery vouchers, 5% of a case etc etc or the likes of majestic do no quibble returns for this exact reason. Not quite as romantic as a booze run to France but probably more practical. There are plenty of guides online regarding quantities which you can adjust for your guests.
Eta: Another option that is often well received and relatively cheap at DIY jobs is a keg or two of the local beer.
Edited by waterwonder on Saturday 12th August 23:18
VTECMatt said:
Trust me, 25 years of experience people will take the piss.
If you really want to do it allow around £20 per head in the evening, restrict to no doubles, fizz, expensive drinks like Jagerbombs. I wouldn't bother during the day, arrival drink, wine, toast is plenty.
Personally I always advise set a limit, I suggest for your number 1k. Everyone gets a drink or alternatively give two vouchers per person.
Surely the point is why invite people to your wedding who would take the piss? If you really want to do it allow around £20 per head in the evening, restrict to no doubles, fizz, expensive drinks like Jagerbombs. I wouldn't bother during the day, arrival drink, wine, toast is plenty.
Personally I always advise set a limit, I suggest for your number 1k. Everyone gets a drink or alternatively give two vouchers per person.
I am sure a few of my friends left drinks and got a bit giddy - but we do that on a night out when we are paying.
Are you planning an open bar using an existing licensed bar on premises/brought in mobile bar company or are you supplying the drinks yourself for a DIY bar?
If the latter:
We've catered weddings in unlicensed church halls where we provided serving staff to man a open bar using drinks provided by the bride and groom. For 100 guests in the evening, the rule of thumb we advise couples to use is:
Pimms is popular for summer weddings but otherwise the couples generally keep it simple with 1 red, 1 white and selection of beer/soft drinks. Very rarely do they have hard spirits. We usually serve tea and coffee mid-evening when the band has a break rather than as part of the meal which helps.
Too far away to justify booze cruises to France. We usually point couples in the direction of a local wine merchant that offers sale-or-return. (check what they will accept as returns!) but beer is often just bought at the supermarket.
More if the evening is a late one, guests are known to be younger/big drinkers (rugby players!), bit less if guests are maturer and families with children. Those who attended the meal will have already had a glass of Prosecco on arrival and half a bottle of wine on the table during the meal. Never had any problems with guests taking the piss but then we don't really get that type of clientele anyway.
If the latter:
We've catered weddings in unlicensed church halls where we provided serving staff to man a open bar using drinks provided by the bride and groom. For 100 guests in the evening, the rule of thumb we advise couples to use is:
- half a bottle of wine for each guest (red:white split left as personal preference);
- 4 dozen bottles of beer, usually 2-3 different types (or fewer bottles and a 36 pint firkin if keen on cask ale);
Pimms is popular for summer weddings but otherwise the couples generally keep it simple with 1 red, 1 white and selection of beer/soft drinks. Very rarely do they have hard spirits. We usually serve tea and coffee mid-evening when the band has a break rather than as part of the meal which helps.
Too far away to justify booze cruises to France. We usually point couples in the direction of a local wine merchant that offers sale-or-return. (check what they will accept as returns!) but beer is often just bought at the supermarket.
More if the evening is a late one, guests are known to be younger/big drinkers (rugby players!), bit less if guests are maturer and families with children. Those who attended the meal will have already had a glass of Prosecco on arrival and half a bottle of wine on the table during the meal. Never had any problems with guests taking the piss but then we don't really get that type of clientele anyway.
desolate said:
VTECMatt said:
Trust me, 25 years of experience people will take the piss.
If you really want to do it allow around £20 per head in the evening, restrict to no doubles, fizz, expensive drinks like Jagerbombs. I wouldn't bother during the day, arrival drink, wine, toast is plenty.
Personally I always advise set a limit, I suggest for your number 1k. Everyone gets a drink or alternatively give two vouchers per person.
Surely the point is why invite people to your wedding who would take the piss? If you really want to do it allow around £20 per head in the evening, restrict to no doubles, fizz, expensive drinks like Jagerbombs. I wouldn't bother during the day, arrival drink, wine, toast is plenty.
Personally I always advise set a limit, I suggest for your number 1k. Everyone gets a drink or alternatively give two vouchers per person.
I am sure a few of my friends left drinks and got a bit giddy - but we do that on a night out when we are paying.
We had a free bar, but bought all the booze ourselves and then just employed bar staff.
The 75 bottles of champagne, 150 bottles of wine and 200 cans of beer were all drunk, gone, demolished
We had 150 guests , but 30 of them were Children!
Bottom line, when people are not paying, they drink more.
The 75 bottles of champagne, 150 bottles of wine and 200 cans of beer were all drunk, gone, demolished
We had 150 guests , but 30 of them were Children!
Bottom line, when people are not paying, they drink more.
Vixpy1 said:
We had a free bar, but bought all the booze ourselves and then just employed bar staff.
The 75 bottles of champagne, 150 bottles of wine and 200 cans of beer were all drunk, gone, demolished
We had 150 guests , but 30 of them were Children!
Bottom line, when people are not paying, they drink more.
May have all been gone, but I doubt it was all drunk. I would bet your guests/bar staff took a decent amount home with them.The 75 bottles of champagne, 150 bottles of wine and 200 cans of beer were all drunk, gone, demolished
We had 150 guests , but 30 of them were Children!
Bottom line, when people are not paying, they drink more.
I went to a wedding the other week where the happy couple booze-cruised it to France for beer/wine/fizz, this was all left out on tables at the venue, bar staff kept bringing more ice buckets as/when required to keep things cold.
It worked really well, because people could see that there was a finite (albeit very decent) amount on offer and the pace at which it was being depleted was there for all to see.
For anything else there was a pay bar, it worked really well. There was a point in the evening when the Best Man poured neat Tequila down my throat from the bottle - I'm guessing he paid for that himself!
It worked really well, because people could see that there was a finite (albeit very decent) amount on offer and the pace at which it was being depleted was there for all to see.
For anything else there was a pay bar, it worked really well. There was a point in the evening when the Best Man poured neat Tequila down my throat from the bottle - I'm guessing he paid for that himself!
I've only been to 3 weddings. apart from the usual bottles of wine & champagne for each table..
first one had free beer and wine.
2nd one had a free bar up to a limit (which was reached quite quickly)
3rd had nothing, you paid everything you wanted to drink
Did how any of them do the bar situation bother me? no, I had fun at all of them. even if the bar wasn't free I'd pay money to get myself drinks as its a special occasion. I don't know anyone not civilized enough to be stupid and order triple spirits and ruin a wedding by puking up the place. End of the day do whatever you feel you want to do and can afford.
first one had free beer and wine.
2nd one had a free bar up to a limit (which was reached quite quickly)
3rd had nothing, you paid everything you wanted to drink
Did how any of them do the bar situation bother me? no, I had fun at all of them. even if the bar wasn't free I'd pay money to get myself drinks as its a special occasion. I don't know anyone not civilized enough to be stupid and order triple spirits and ruin a wedding by puking up the place. End of the day do whatever you feel you want to do and can afford.
ClaphamGT3 said:
It is spectacularly bad form to invite people to an event and expect them to pay for bits of it
Are you for real? Have you ever paid for your own wedding?! I have, I'm getting married on Thursday. The current bill stands at £16,000. A good chunk of that has been taken up by; Near £70 a head for food. £200 of Cava on arrival. Over £300 of wine, 2 bottles per table of 6. Over £1000 of musical entertainment. Our guests should have a lovely time, eat some great food, enjoy good music, and have some free drinks. Be damned if I'm going to fund 45 people getting off their heads, and ordering the most expensive drinks because 'free bar'.OP. Personally I would never consider it.
Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:
. A good chunk of that has been taken up by; Near £70 a head for food.
OP. Personally I would never consider it.
Personally, drop the food to £20, catering is always crummy so might as well do the sausage roll thing and stick a nifty fifty on each persons bar bill OP. Personally I would never consider it.
Or, if you like, do £50 food +£20 booze for the females and £20+£50 booze for the geezers
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