The Open Bar Question: How much does it REALLY cost?

If you have any underage or children, you should be able to reduce the numbers by that amount (that's what I'm doing) - for instance, I will have 3 that are not going to drink and I'm able to cut them out of my headcount for the liquor. I also now have 2 prego women that will be there, and I'm going to ask if I can exclude them from the bar portion as well.

There's a lot of things I wanted to do that I can't cause of their stupid rules. I wanted to put two bottles of wine on every table (1 red & 1 white) my cousin did that & it was great. This was in addition to whatever you wanted from the bar.

I just wish there was someone I could talk to regarding cost. Like some type of deal I can make to reduce cost. Uggg! Stuff like THIS is why I wanted a wedding planner...

I wish they would just charge the price of the drink to a ticket and then after the wedding, the ticket can be paid. Because not everyone drinks alcohol. Seems absurd, $20 a person.

I'm just buying my own liquor for two signature drinks (3 liquors total), my own wine, and FS is buying beer kegs and I think renting kegerators. We will call it "open bar," have FS's step brother bartend, and viola... happiness all around. Plus, we'll come out much cheaper than $20 a person. I've already started buying the liquor, one bottle per paycheck. I may start doing two just to know it out faster.

I'm having mine at an Fleet Reserve Association where the drinks are inexpensive already ($1.50 for beer) and I"m averaging 3 drinks per person X 130 people X $3.00 average drink - $1170.00. some will drink less and some will drink more. I'm maxing it at $1500 though just in case. If they want shots, they will buy them themselves. I have a lot of heavy drinkers at the reception and we are even closing down the bar we go to that night since everyone will be at the reception. I was just told I had to make sure the bartender was taken care of. Of course, I bartend as a fill in so I know how much it takes to do it.

SO what do I do about drinks? I don't have that much budgeted or saved...

Ask you vendor could you put a limit and then after that its open. For example maybe put that you will pay for the 1st $1000.00 in drinks and then they are on their own.

I can stop them from serving drinks, but I've already sent out invites so people won't know to bring extra money. Plus I really didn't want to have people pay since we're throwing the party

I would go with either the drink tickets or setting a $ amount cap on the open bar. The only problem with setting a cap on it, is that some people may not get a drink at all and other may fly over to the bar and slam down 5 drinks you know?

Yeah, that is an issue, too :-(

So, I can cut the fruit & cheese platter with champange for a cold poached salmon with dilled cream cheese, capers & red onions. That will leave me with about $700 additional from the budget for the fruit & cheese with champange.

I wonder if I can even do a signature drink? Will they cause a ruckus? If I can maybe if I make it rather sweet it will cut back on ppl drinking so much?

I, personally, would rather limit the types of alcohol (beer, wine and maybe a signature cocktail) than have my guest pay. Skimping on the hard alcohol is something people can deal with and will save you a ton of money.

Having a bar at a wedding is expensive, something even if it is an open bar, some venues may want you to put a deposit on the open bar. I personally will not be serving alcohol. (Some what) I’m having one signature drink. My wedding theme is apple of my eyes, so we will only have apple Matinees, or maybe another type of alcohol beverage. We are also having champagne.

Maybe I should cut the limo? We could rent a car for the day or just get our car washed. I can have FSIL or step-father drive me and then we can take a point to point sedan back to the hotel... that would be some additional money to go to the reception.

Ok, no one is going to drink 2-3 drinks in an hour! I would say 1-2 at the most- and remember, not all your guests will drink. my venue estimates $30 per person for the entire night, and don't forget you have to pay sales tax on top of the final bar bill. If the venue mandates open bar, ask if you can supply the liquor. Maybe you can get it for under $1000 from a wholesaler? I don't know.

I think most people bring $ incase the bar becomes pay for your own at somepoint during the evening. I always do. I personally enjoy when I get a drink or two w/out paying, but NEVER expect it.

Most venues cap off the amount of alcohol you can have available (they make more $ by your guests buying) And i would say that majority of receptions have a ratio of older people (who dont usually drink much) and younger people (who cant drink at all) So i wouldnt worry about going overboard. Also I want to say, I have been told repeatedly, that if you make everything available, people take advantage of it (ie: the person who would order a budwieser if they were paying now orders a jack_n_coke on your dollar) boo to that.

As per, dropping the salmon and adding $700 to your alcohol fund, i find that Extremely GENEROUS. Do not cancel you limo! It is your day, indulge yourself as well

Our venue is charging 75$ per person tax and gratuity.... that includes dinner and open bar all night and a few other things..

I was afraid of doing the consumption bar myself... some ppl are greedy

I DO want a limo, but I want to have a great reception, too. I am looking at the money in my wedding fund vs what I need to spend and I'm getting super nervous. If we need to dip into savings to pay for this FS is going to sh!t a brick. He wanted to do something much much smaller... :-(

I'm nervous even talking to him about this...

Something you may want to consider that we are doing is buying in bulk from Spec's. They do a 10% discount if you buy in cash and you can order wine by the case, so for about 18 bottles of wine you pay $150. We are doing beer and wine (unlimited) and a signature drink which will have liquor in it. If you don't want that..then you need not come to our reception

MrsJ~ Does your family or anyone have a really special car (think classic or vette..) that they would let you borrow, or better yet, escort you two in?

I promise you that if you and up cutting back on $ for alcohol noone, including you will think twice about it the day of or after.

Dont stress too much about it. And I bet offering some of these suggestions to FH (with out $ amounts) will help you come to a decision, Men are pretty cut and dry. LOL

We have an open bar for $18/pp. It is bottled beer, wine, pop, and top shelf liquor. We are in Buffalo, NY and the guys gave us the upgraded beer and liquor for the price of only upgrading one. I hope this works out for you! I see nothing wrong with just beer and wine and maybe throwing in one signature drink if that is what fits your budget! Best of luck to you!

@Heather - I wish I could bring my own! That would make life sooo much easier, lol.

@Heidi - naw, no one does. I wish :-(