DIY or Self Serve cocktail hour/open bar

I would be concerned about not having a bartender. I would be really concerned that my guests would over-serve themselves, and then I would be liable for anything that may happen to them. Also, if you are having your wedding at a venue most likely your venue will not allow you to have guests self-serve for those reasons.

Mary, dry weddings are only okay if not EVERYONE drinks (for religious purposes.)

I had a dry wedding, but if I had ONE guest that wanted to drink, I would've provided him/her with it...

Because, that's what PROPER hosting is.

Karin, for 60 guests I would definitely hire a bartender. Bartenders not only serve drinks, but also monitor if someone has had too much. It can increases safety and reduces liability on your end.

Another plus for hiring a bartender is they will help cut out waste from the alcohol you are providing. This could be helpful if you buy it from somewhere you can return unopened bottles or cases after the wedding is over!

Mary says "could care less", calls it her day, makes relatives work, is more concerned with how it looks rather than how it's hosted, and goes all lmao. I'm beginning to think all these shooting stars are one person.

Also criticizes an established member's username when hers is all yelly.

Nice, MARY.

For that many guests - hire a bartender.

Per general consensus I'll hire a bartender. Thanks everyone.

Yay! Go Karin!

Glad you made a decision Karin, you must do what works for you and your budget!

My FSIL did it like half and half. Had tubs of beers and refreshments in a u shape for self serve around the bar. Then hired a cousins friend to open wine. The line got long because I think people were just confused on if they could just grab them or had to ask the bartender

Im having a small beach house reception with my very closet friends and family. There will be about 40-50 of us. I'm putting beer and wine in big tins with koozies and glasses. Noone will have any problems serving themselves. I honestly don't think it's a huge deal unless you had 80+ ppl. I'm sure others might disagree, but I think if you want to do self serve, it'll work out just fine. I've been to many weddings like this, especially small, less formal affairs, and pour yourself has,never been an issue.

Mary, you need this. Along with a lot of other things I'm not saying because you are certainly not worth the strike.

Also, my guests are staying at this huge beach house where the reception is being held. So there will be no over served drunk drivers at my wedding. Maybe just drunk walkers

Yeah, Mary; I was a high end off premise caterer for more than 20 years. Why don't you educate me on the ins and outs of bar service since you're doing a dry wedding.

You obviously couldn't care less about anything but yourself, and every post makes that more obvious.

Check please!

Bartender for sure if it is within your budget!

I found a great bartender for a good price. Maybe check out some clubs and or restaurants and see if you can find someone who does private events on the side

I am having a small set up of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. I think that is totally fine if it is not in the budget for a bartender. Before anyone gets on me, my caterer is providing staff for my wedding, but I think that everyone is an adult and it is ok to provide some refreshments without paid help to moderate them. However, I am not having bottles of hard liquor out and I am not asking a family member to act as a bartender either.

Mary, your attitude is awful and your guests will notice.

Hire an bartender. They aren't that much and are worth their weight in really expensive whiskey.

Lololololololol our comments mean nothing to her but she's getting butthurt. She says this is a personal opinion forum but then tells us to shut up... Mary, you are giving us whiplash lol

Good lord... Mary, Is it really that serious?