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Savvy October 2018

Open Bar or Drink Station... Help!!!!

His1&Only, on December 31, 2017 at 1:27 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 49

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If anyone has any suggestions to this dilemma that I have, I will be so happy! FH and I are wanting to save money on alcohol and I've seen that having a "drink station" with pre-made punch, like the brides favorite mixed drink, and the groom's favorite mixed drink, in fancy dispenser containers, is beginning to be a trend. I do like to be different, especially since the food will be in stations too, I just don't want the drink station to look tacky. Idk what to do!!! I know that an open bar or even a cash bar will be alot of money since FH and I enjoy different types of alcohol, including wine, beer, tequila, and whiskey, and we're sure our guests will also. However, if we can save money, we will do that first. Can anyone help me out?

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49 Comments

Latest activity by M.Hand, on January 2, 2018 at 5:17 PM

VIP September 2017
MrsMcK · on December 31, 2017 at 1:33 PM
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If you're worried about cost, just have open beer and wine. Don't do self-serve drink dispensers for alcohol, a bartender should be serving.
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Expert June 2018
Aly · on December 31, 2017 at 1:35 PM
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If saving money is your primary concern, do the drink stations.

If you want all of your guests to have drink options, go with open bar. Personally, I believe the open bar is the only way to go.

however, if you need to cut costs and the drink stations must happen, make sure to choose drinks with different types of liquor and also have beer and wine.
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Savvy October 2018
His1&Only · on December 31, 2017 at 1:37 PM
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How many dispenser containers do you think? I was thinking like the brides
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Savvy October 2018
His1&Only · on December 31, 2017 at 1:38 PM
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Bride's drink and then the groom's drink and those would already be mixed and I agree the beer and wine would be poured and monitored...
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Champion June 2018
muriel · on December 31, 2017 at 1:42 PM
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Have a bartender. You will use less alcohol than if people free pour. Serve wine and beer and forget the mixed drinks.
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Just Said Yes January 2019
Kanima · on December 31, 2017 at 1:54 PM
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Go drink station, for sure. Make sure it’s decorated nicely with a classy table cloth and maybe make a thing out of it where there’s framed pictures of you on the table, or maybe some chocolates or candy that pair with your selected cocktail selections. Then, if you really want to, you can have a basic bar as well that serves beer/wine. Last wedding i went to just had the two signature drinks right there next to the bar, and it wasnt tacky looking at all.
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Super May 2018
Nikki · on December 31, 2017 at 1:59 PM
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You’ll need to check with your venue if you can even have alcoholic drink stations. A lot of places will not allow anyone but certified staff pour alcohol for liability reasons.
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VIP September 2018
Leelee · on December 31, 2017 at 2:03 PM
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The issue that comes to mind with the drink stations is who is going to refill them when they run out? You are going to need a LOT of drink dispensers and many batches of drinks. I’d recommend just doing an open bar.
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Expert June 2018
Aly · on December 31, 2017 at 2:30 PM
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You need at least two drinks dispensers. Depending on your guest list size, possibly a third. At my fifty-person engagement party, we had pineapple jalapeño margaritas and rose sangria, in addition to wine, beer, vodka, gin, and whisky. We felt that we covered all of the bases.
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Savvy October 2018
His1&Only · on December 31, 2017 at 2:55 PM
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Thank you all for the suggestions! I'm really considering a self serve drink station. I'll already have a few staff there that will already be refilling the food stations so they'll refill the drink station as well. Also, my venue does allow alcohol which is good. And I feel like we're all adults, no one should have to babysit another adult. Everyone should be mature enough to know their limits. But I'm not worried. I'll just have a sign that will say, "Help Yourselves! And Drink Responsibly".
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Savvy October 2018
His1&Only · on December 31, 2017 at 2:56 PM
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Thank you! This really helped!
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Savvy October 2018
His1&Only · on December 31, 2017 at 2:57 PM
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Great!!! Thank you for the input!
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Master June 2016
Sarah · on December 31, 2017 at 3:00 PM
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Just because they allow alcohol doesn’t mean they allow self serve. My venue didn’t allow any alcohol that wasn’t served by the bartenders. We weren’t even allowed to give small bottles as favors. It isn’t about whether people will be responsible. It’s about liability- which likely falls on the venue and the bartenders.
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Savvy October 2018
His1&Only · on December 31, 2017 at 3:49 PM
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I am very aware of liability being an issue. And I'm fully aware of the terms and conditions of the venue that I am renting out. So, thank you for your input, but my FH and I now know what we are going to do.
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Master March 2018
Melissa · on December 31, 2017 at 3:57 PM
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Just because the venue allows alcohol doesn’t mean they allow self serve. This is a HUGE liability. Bartenders are there for more than just pouring. They are trained to be aware of who and how much they are serving. What’s going to stop your 20 year old guest from sneaking a glass of punch? Now you have served a minor and can be arrested on your wedding day. Not to mention a sign isn’t going to cut people off when they are going too heavy. I’m going to almost guarantee your venue is going to require a bartender.
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VIP September 2017
MrsMcK · on December 31, 2017 at 4:08 PM
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Don't worry, OP is very well aware of liability being an issue.
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Master March 2018
Melissa · on December 31, 2017 at 4:14 PM
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LOL. Yea. Seems like it. Oh well not my problem. I won’t be spending my wedding in jail, I have licensed and insured professionals serving my alcohol. 🤷🏼‍♀️
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Savvy October 2018
His1&Only · on December 31, 2017 at 4:41 PM
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Thank you for respectfully responding. I appreciate the input.
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Master June 2016
Sarah · on December 31, 2017 at 4:41 PM
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You can’t tell people not to respond. That’s against the CGs.
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Master June 2016
Sarah · on December 31, 2017 at 4:46 PM
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No one is bullying you. It is against the community guidelines to tell people not to respond. Failure to follow the CGs can result in you being permanently banned from these forums.
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Open Bar or Drink Station... Help!!!!

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