How To Provide Alcoholic Beverages Without Breaking The Bank

One of the most costly elements of hosting a reception is the bar tab. As most beverages are billed on consumption (meaning that you’ll pay only for what guests drink) many bridal couples are hit with a hefty bill following their reception that is higher than anticipated.

There are several ways to control liquor costs while giving guests the appearance that beverages are plentiful;

Create a Beverage Agenda
The easiest way to do this is by offering different types of beverage service throughout the evening. For example, offer a full bar for the first hour of the reception only. Close it while dinner is served and have two wine options poured at the dining tables. Limiting the selection of beverages offered will cut back on the quantity of beverages served. After dinner offer tray passed champagne for the toast. You can then either reopen the bar, continue to offer champagne-only, allow guests to select from a limited wine selection or switch to coffee/tea only to ensure guests are sober for the drive home.

Signature Drinks
Another clever option, which limits overall alcohol consumption but adds personality to your event, is a signature drink. Growing in popularity, many brides select a signature drink which corresponds to the colors of their event. The signature drink can be tray passed at the beginning of the reception in lieu of offering a full bar. The signature drink can be offered only at certain times throughout the evening or may be paired with other beverage options, such as a no host bar.

No Host Bars
No host bars are bars which require guests to pay for their own drinks. No host bars may offer wine and beer only or a full selection of mixed drinks. It is important to be tactful when employing this option. Often guests, who have spent hundreds of dollars on travel and gifts, perceive no host bars as cheap. Many brides circumvent this perception by providing a hosted signature drink or hosted wine and beer. Offering no host mixed drinks then gives guests the variety of the full bar while curbing expenses.

Limit Variety
Another classy option is to offer champagne or sparkling wine throughout the evening in addition to coffee and tea. While most guests may have a glass or two of champagne the overall consumption will be lower than when a greater variety of drinks are offered.

Drink Packages
Many caterers offer beverage packages that allow guests all-they-can drink beverages for a certain number of hours. Essentially the caterer is betting that your guests will not be heavy drinkers and will spend less than the budgeted amount; whereas, you are betting that guests will be heavy drinkers who will exceed the average amount consumed thereby saving you money. Statistically, paying for all-you-can drink beverages is more costly than paying on consumption.

By employing these beverage techniques, weddings can have the appearance of abundance while remaining on a budget that allows everyone to live happily ever after. Cheers!


For more info:
Beverage Calulator
http://www.bhg.com/recipes/drinks/wine-cocktails/beverage-calculator/

Bar Essentials http://weddingservicesreceptions.suite101.com/article.cfm/bar_essentials_for_a_wedding_party