A bride may spend hours thinking about her Monique Lhuillier wedding gown and the lush centerpieces but overlook the importance of planning what cocktails she will serve the guests. This article will help couples decide between an open bar and a limited bar.
Open Bar
In planning a wedding, one of the priorities should be the comfort of the wedding guests. The best way to make sure that one’s wedding guests are satisfied is to make sure that guests can have the drinks that they want when they want it.
Having an open bar at a restaurant or hotel makes it easy to execute. These venues are usually prepared to host an open bar and can ensure that the couple will not run out of drinks. Also, they already have a liquor license and insurance which can get tricky if the couple is hosting their wedding at a location that does not have a cocktail caterer. If a venue does not have a cocktail caterer or the caterer does not provide a bar, then the couple can hire a separate cocktail caterer.
Many times a cocktail caterer or venue will offer two payment options which include price per person per hour or by consumption. If many of the wedding guests are children or won’t be drinking, then the couple should consider a bar by consumption. Some couples choose to use the price per person per hour during the cocktail hour only and then switch to paying by consumption. This is a good option if many guests will stop drinking or drink much less after the cocktail hour.
Limited Bar
Some couples do not have the budget to splurge on an open bar and might consider the option of having a limited bar. Serving beer, wine, and a signature cocktail can be just as sophisticated as having an open bar. It just depends on how the couple plans it out.
If a couple is serving beer, wine, and a signature cocktail, they should try to make the signature cocktail appealing to the masses. Couples should not choose a drink solely based on the color or theme. If it’s the only cocktail besides beer and wine, the taste of the drink is significant. Try something with a vodka base and keep it simple.
Bar Logistics
Couples need to consider how many bartenders they will need for the reception. Usually, one bartender for every fifty guests will do. However, this may not be sufficient when the guests first arrive. No one wants their wedding guests standing in line for twenty minutes to get their first drink. To avoid long lines, have servers circulate throughout the cocktail hour with trays of wine, the signature cocktail, and sparkling water.
Couples should also consider wedding guests who won’t be indulging in alcoholic beverages by making sure that there are plenty of non-alcoholic selections. If there are many guests who won’t be imbibing, the couple could consider a station with sparkling water and fun garnishes such as raspberries, slices of strawberries, and lemon slices.
When a couple is planning their bar for their wedding reception, they should consider whether they want to have an open bar or limited bar, guests who won’t be drinking alcoholic beverages, and the logistics of serving the drinks.
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