When it comes to weddings, the idea of a reception with a bar for guests to order alcohol or non-alcoholic beverages from is usually what comes to mind when thinking about what your celebration will look like after your ceremony! As we know that the type of bar service at your wedding may not be something you envision when dreaming of your cocktail hour/reception, we wanted to share the differences between three popular bar options and the things you should consider when selecting the type of bar you want at your wedding!
Photography: Stephen Ludwig Photography
Open Bar
Also known as a hosted bar, this option basically means that the cost of all of the drinks served by the bar, will be paid for by the hosts (aka the newlywed couple!). With an open bar, your guests will not be paying any money for the drinks that they order. With this option there are typically two ways that it’s priced.
Cost by Consumption: With this pricing method, the cost of the bill will be calculated at the end of the night, as it will be the sum of all of the drinks ordered. The couple won’t know how much they will be paying till after the wedding reception has ended.
Cost by Package: Depending on your venue, they may offer a package pricing option, where you can pay an upfront amount for the bar at your event. This is typically calculated based on the number of guests that will be attending, and because you’ll be paying for this amount prior to the wedding you’ll be able to factor this cost into your budget.
Photography: Embr Photo
If you want to have an open bar to treat all of your guests but also want to be mindful of how much you’re spending, think of the people on your guest list and try to estimate how much you think they will drink at your wedding. If you believe that the MAJORITY of your guests will drink a lot of alcohol, then the pricing package option may work best for you. However if you have a FEW guests that you may think will drink a lot then the pricing by consumption may work better. It’s best to decide this after you have an idea of who will be attending your wedding as your guests may be a big factor in determining which pricing package will work best for your budget. If you need tips on creating your wedding guest list check out our blog HERE!
Tip: Consider where your guests are coming from to attend your wedding, if the majority of your guests are staying at the hotel where your wedding is taking place there’s a higher likelihood that they may order more drinks than if the majority of your guests are commuting to your wedding.
Partially Open Bar
Photography: Caitlin Alohilani Photography
As the name goes this option is the halfway choice if you’re stuck between having an open bar or a cash bar. For this option couples can typically work with their venue to set a limit on when the bar will go from drinks being paid by them to drinks being paid by their guests. This limit can be based on a set time, such as from 5pm-8pm the bar is hosted and then from 8pm-10pm guests have to pay for their drinks. Or the limit can be by price, the couple can agree that once their bar tab goes past a certain amount of money, such as $2,000, then the guests will have to begin paying for their drinks. This option can work well for couples who want to have an open bar but have many guests who are driving or guests who are prone to indulge too much. This can be a way to help decrease the chance that these guests will consume an excess amount of alcohol.
Cash Bar
As it doesn’t have “open” in the name, this bar option is not a free-for-all for the guests and is the one where they have to pay for any and all of their drinks. This bar type is best for couples who know that the majority of their guests will not be drinking but still want to have the option of alcohol for any of their guests who may want to purchase drinks. Additionally, if the couple wants to comp a specific number of drinks or the drinks of certain people, such as the wedding party, the venue may have an option to purchase a set amount of beverages and receive a drink ticket in return. Then at the wedding reception those who receive a drink ticket at the registration table can redeem their free beverage at the bar.
Photography: Seeking Films
No matter what you choose, though you want your guests to have fun, remember that it’s YOUR wedding day and every one there wants to make sure you have the best day of your lives! So whether they are able to drink for free or have to drop some cash that won’t change how happy they are to celebrate the two of you!!
XOXOXO
Happy Planning!
(A Perfect Day)