Your Wedding Reception and the Open Bar

Many brides and grooms ask me this question: “Do I have to have an open bar at my wedding reception?”

That depends on how important it is to you and what your budget can support. An open bar is likely to be your most expensive option since it will be necessary to cover a wide range of tastes and choices. It also depends on the facilities offered by your reception site and the time of your wedding reception.

More and more couples are choosing alternatives to the open bar. Please note that having a cash bar is not necessarily one of them. Some guests might consider it tasteless and tacky - rather like inviting guests for dinner and then charging them for it.

Here are some alternative options for you to consider:

• An open bar with time limits - say during the cocktails hours only.
• Offering a signature cocktail only.
• Offering only wine and beer.
• Serving punch - both non-alcoholic and alcoholic versions.
• Having champagne passed by gloved servers.
• Providing sparkling cider for the toasts.
• Predetermine the amount of alcohol you want served and stop service when that amount is used.

Be creative. There is no hard and fast rule that says an open bar is necessary to having a wonderful wedding reception. Have fun and your guests will too. Ask your wedding coordinator for ideas and suggestions for your wedding reception.

Bluestone Weddings - So. California wedding coordinator