Timing of beer/wine bar and host bar....not sure what to do.

Forgot to mention that we've been told that if we have an open host bar and then shut it down completely, guests might get upset. Supposedly, they'd rather pay for more liquor than have none at all. Never thought about it before.

Cash bars are frowned upon.

Host the bar. The end. Any kind of change in mid stream is completely confusing to the guests and honestly, people tend to drink less than you think from dinner on.

Why not have the open bar during cocktail hour, then during reception turn it into the wine/beer bar and then just (you ) pay for the extra hour of wine/beer, which I can't see being much ..most people don't drink the last hour of a wedding (or you can just shut the bar down after 3 hours)

1 hour of open bar and 3 hours of wine/beer sounds like enough alcohol to me.

It would get confusing to turn it into cash bar (also some say this is bad etiquette as well ) and would also be confusing to Turn a wine/beer cocktail hour into a full open bar

The hosted bar is liquor? I would start it later (like when the wine/beer runs out) but I can't think of a way where this isn't confusing for the guests.

I dont love either idea. either way, guests go up once and receive a free vodka soda, but the next time its either unavailable or they have to pay for it. its confusing. Just offer beer and wine. But i would see if you can extend the bar so that it lasts for the duration of your reception

Or just have the wine/beer bar the whole time and pay for the extra hour or two ...

This way you don't have to worry about reaching a cap

And serve signature drink during cocktail hour.

If money is an issue then just do beer and wine. What you are suggesting gets confusing. Cash bars are a no. And closing down the bar during the reception would make me angry. Beer and wine.

I could barely follow that post. Host beer, wine, and a signature cocktail or two for the full night. Don't make your guests pay for anything.

If budget is an issue, I would do open bar during cocktail hour (1 hour), close bar during dinner, re-open bar after dinner for dancing (2 hour). Don't turn into a cash bar. Your DJ can make an announcement that the bar will be closing during dinner so guests can grab a drink beforehand. Then they can do a last call on the bar as the 2 hours is getting close.

Definitely have your hosted bar at the end of the night - people will drink less. Nearly everyone will have a drink during cocktail hour, often two, but by the end of the night less people will still be drinking or they will have slowed down. Keep your hosted bar just beer and wine or honestly, even if you switch over to your hosted bar people won't realize its different and won't order liquor. I think what you're suggesting is confusing.

My goodness how confusing for your guests and your bartenders. Just host beer and wine all night (cocktail hour on) and add a signature drink or two if you feel something harder than beer and wine are needed. No confusion and a smaller bill.

We are having beer and wine only. That is perfectly acceptable and not at all confusing.

If liquor costs too much beer and wine only is a perfectly acceptable option. That way you can still have alcohol but keep the costs down.

Could you fully host beer, wine, and a signature cocktail or two? This might be easier and allow you to do it the whole time.

Thank goodness for comments to make sense when I just can't.

Host the bar the whole time and all will be well. Beer and wine are great.

I would do the host bar DURING dinner and the last hour as I would guess this is when the least of the drinks will be consumed, however DON'T CAP IT or make it cash. Put the 3 included hours everywhere else as this is when the most drinking will happen.

Agree with @annakay plan to do beer and wine all night and you host slow hour at dinner. you should not close the bar or ask guests to pay.

We had this problem with a venue we thought we were going to book...they would have went by consumption for however many hours it was opened. If you're able to book a venue that allows you to bring your own beer/liquor, I would HIGHLY suggest it. It's way cheaper. If not, you'll have to keep your bar opened the whole time. You can't expect people to have that bar closed during certain times...it's a wedding!

Hey! Thank you for all the suggestions! Yep, it's a bit confusing. If we spend $X on a host bar, we get two extra free bartenders, which helps with as many guests as we'll have. So regardless, we have to have some kind of host bar. But we've been so confused as to when to have it, how long to have it, etc. We've had a few suggestions, but I haven't been able to see straight! It's nice to get perspective from people more involved in weddings. FH and I have to figure this out soon!