Cans or 2 liters

When you say long informal, how long are you speaking? 2 liters will lose their "fizz" over time from just being out. Also if its a long reception I would recommend serving some type of alcohol (unless its for religious reasons or venue won't allow).

I would probably pick cans, just so everyone has their own soda, you don't have to worry about it going flat, etc. Definitely have the soda on ice and I would say offer a cola option, a lemon-lime option, and maybe 3 or 4 other types (root beer, ginger ale, iced tea, orange, etc.)

Would you have a bartender managing this? or is it a free for all? if its a free for all soda bar I would do cans. But be sure to have cups and straws still.

In my experience dry weddings tend to be short events. If you want people to stay longer (not to mention properly hosting your guests), I'd recommend you serve at least beer and wine. As for soda's I'd say cans would probably be better for maintaining the "fizz" as Teresa pointed out. But you will get less waste with 2 liters.

I would say cans. It’s easier to just grab a can you like. With 2-liters will have to wait their turn

View Quoted Comment It's a theatre I belong to and no alcohol is allowed on premises. I can have it for as long or as short as we decide. It's usually a people come and go sort of event there.

I would def do cans since it sounds like you wont have a bar

View Quoted Comment Thank you. Good thoughts.

View Quoted Comment There is no alcohol allowed and we are talking almost all theatre people so trust me, we can sit and talk for hours without alcohol.

View Quoted Comment There is no place for a bartender so it's usually cans in coolers or at least ice in coolers.

View Quoted Comment Thank you.

I think cans would be your best bet. Have them in tubs of ice or something to keep them cold.

Ok that makes more sense with the no alcohol, some places just don't allow it. In that case I would do cans over the 2 Liters. You may also see if you can find the retro glass bottled sodas. I know where we live they are sold in the regular grocery store, I'm just not sure if that's a national thing. Someone mentioned straws earlier too....oriental trading company has some really cute straws you can buy in bulk for cheap.

She didn’t ask about alcholol.
I think cans are your best bet. 2 liters go flat pretty fast and you have to wait like a pp said. I would offer a dark soda (Pepsi or Coke), sprite or mt dew type soda, something like a flavored Fanta (orange, grape, pineapple) and maybe a canned punch or lemonade.

Cans would be easier I would think? Especially if guests serve themselves. Then you could just have them in coolers rather than people pouring drinks and spilling them. But I also don't think anyone would be mad if you had 2 liters, which would be cheaper. We had a graduation party last year in our backyard that was catered, and we had liquor and other drinks. For our non-alcoholic drinks, we offered Sprite, Coke, and Rootbeer. Then iced tea and lemonade for the non-pop drinkers. I think that's more than enough options!

Cans, you get 2 servings per can and there is less waste

Have you thought about having like syrups and the like? Like Grenadine... so they can make their own cherry coke, or shirley temples? That could be fun...

I am doing cans of pop and water bottles in large galvanized buckets. I plan to get enough drinks for everyone to have 2 cans of pop and one water each. I'll probably get extras too just in case. I plan to get some of each brand.. like Pepsi/Coke, Mtn. Dew/MelloYello, Sprite/Sierra Mist etc. Along with Dr. Pepper, Orange, and we have what we call Ale8 here in glass bottles that we will be getting as well.

Bottled soda

Definitely get cans. 2 liters go flat as soon as they're opened.
The flavors depend on what your guests like. Coke, Diet Coke, root beer, Dr Pepper, Sprite should cover all the bases.