Reception Alcohol Feedback

So I spoke with the ladies and they said if sticking to one flavor will help please everyone, then they'll bring whatever flavor we have at the bar.

Thanks everyone for the feedback! You all were very helpful!

I have good friends who own a wedding bartending business, and they highly recommend including Truly/White Claws in the mix due to the recent popularity - it is basically a different type of beer! That said, I think just go with the variety pack. You will get an assortment of flavor preferences, but if they run out most people will just switch flavors (I see this at bars a lot). Added bonus is that if the wedding party has a mix of brands/flavors it will be less obvious to guests.

View Quoted Comment In general the ethics behind it. They are aware of what manners are but they will often suggest you do something that is impolite anyway. They are telling you this is not rude so you will give them a good reference via marketing by your word of mouth and bring in more business their way from other friends/family because you got a great deal from them.


Either way it is impolite to allow your attendants to eat or drink anything different from the rest of your guests at the wedding.

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Thanks for your response Elise! It's nice to have that other perspective! Knowing that they've experienced guests switching flavors, we'll consider doing variety packs! We just don't want to end up spending all that money to go home with the flavors no one wanted haha! But if they've noticed guests switching then that makes us feel a lot better on the issue!

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I don't think it's that deep, they're just being accommodating to the people renting the venue. My venue owners told us the same thing and said if someone special has a super expensive liquor they always drink they are more than welcome to hold it behind the bar and only use it for that person - we didn't even ask for it, they brought it up to us. We're not going to do it, but I don't think that's the worst thing ever. The only reason SHY's situation is different is because it may be more obvious to guests that they're getting something else. It's not like someone is going to notice that Uncle Joe has top shelf liquor and everyone else has something different.

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That's how I perceived it when the venue told us about it.

I wasn't aware at how big of a deal it would be if we offered one flavor at the bar and let our bridal party bring the flavor they prefer and have the bartender distribute as directed, but I was wrong lol. Elise's response was helpful though and we may consider just doing variety packs so it won't be as big of a deal if our bridal party brings their preferred flavor.

As a guest I would find it weird if anyone but the couple was drinking something that was not available to me. If your wedding party wants to drink hard seltzers for your rehearsal that's fine, but I don't really think its appropriate to have a "special stash" of ordinary drinks that aren't an option for everyone. The couple having a special bottle of champagne or something is totally appropriate, but other than that I think everyone should have access to the same beverages.

Another thing to consider would be that guests who are gluten or yeast free may not be able to drink beer but can enjoy hard ciders or seltzers, which to me would be another reason to have something like that available to all your guests.

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Thanks for the feedback Kari!

After hearing everyone's responses, we're going to either do one flavor of seltzer, or variety packs, that way the bridal party and guests both get that as an option.

View Quoted Comment I agree with this. I’m nit sure I understand why the bridal party is bringing and drinking their own alcohol. This seems rude to other guests

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The venue owner said it was an option because our wedding party is wanting to help contribute to the cost of alcohol. Their thinking is bringing their own alcohol (beer/seltzers) will take some of the financial burden from us. Wasn't trying to be rude in any way.

We've taken all advice into account and have decided to get variety packs of seltzers and having that as an option at the bar along with the beer and wine. But we will still let our wedding party bring their own beer/seltzers since it's going to be the exact same as the bar.

To be honest with you I can’t drink beer OR wine, both upset my body so much that I wouldn’t touch either. So I’d absolutely love + appreciate having seltzer’s as an option, since it’s something I know I can drink! I feel like everyone loves seltzer’s too (at least all the people I know enjoy them over beer/wine lol), so I’m sure they’d deff get drank 🙌🏼

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Thanks for the response Jade!

As mentioned earlier, we decided to just get variety packs of seltzers! Hopefully our guests will switch flavors once others go out! I prefer seltzers over beer and wine and so does my bridal party, so we're just going to offer it across the board!

View Quoted Comment So awesome! I’m sure guests will love them 🤗 & congratulations to you & your partner 🎊 wishing you both an abundance of love, peace, & joy together ❤️

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Thanks so much Jade! The same goes to you!

If you're able to, I'd definitely add the seltzer option for all guests. I attended a wedding a few years ago in which "regular" guests could have beer, wine, or a vodka/cranberry, but the wedding party was allowed to have anything from the full bar. I loathe both vodka and cranberry juice, but am a huge whiskey fan. It felt like a slap in the face when I asked the bartender for a whiskey sour and was told that only wedding party members could have that. I understand just the bride and groom having something that nobody else can have (within reason, of course), but to extend that to the wedding party and nobody else.... doesn't come across well.

If the wedding party is bringing multiple flavors of seltzers, then I would also suggest offering the same to the rest of your guests. Either way, I'd probably suggest at least 2 different flavors so they have options. You may be super jazzed about a lime Truly (for example), but some might just really hate that flavor. And I totally get not wanting to just sit on left over seltzers that you have no desire to consume - definitely offer flavors you enjoy so you're not stuck in that position.

As a personal note, I super appreciate your heart with asking this question. I really love that you're open to feedback and are trying to create the best guest experience that you can. Keep being wonderful!

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Thank you for your reply Melody!

We've decided to just get variety packs of seltzer and have that available at the bar as well!