Alcohol and Your Wedding: Your Options

By offthechartentertainemnt
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22 Aug, 2017
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If you are trying to choose between the options or perhaps looking for a third option somewhere in the middle, here are some possibilities to keep in mind.

Open Bar
Guests often love open bars: What’s not to love? They can order whatever alcoholic beverages that they want and they don’t have to pay for them. Bridal couples, on the other hand, might not be as big of a fan of this arrangement. Not only will they have a high bar bill by the end of the night, but they also might have to deal with inebriated guests.
Cash Bar
In some areas and in some families, this would be a no-no. In other parts of the country, it’s standard. What a cash bar is, as the name would imply, is a way for guests to have a beer, a glass of wine or a mixed drink, at their own expense. Most of the time, soft drinks are covered by the bride and groom while anything alcoholic is available at a cost.
Cocktail Hour
This is one way to get the best of both worlds. For an hour or so before dinner, the bar is open, then it is cash only. This limits the bridal couple’s financial obligation, and it also puts some limits on guests who might overdo the alcohol. They will only be able to imbibe for free for a short period of time!
Soft Bar
Another compromise that some couples make is to offer a soft bar. In this type of wedding, soft drinks, wine and beer are served to guests freely throughout the night, while hard drinks and cocktails are offered for sale. This generally satisfies guests who are hoping for an open bar while keeping costs lower for the people paying for the wedding.
Signature Cocktail
One fun way to offer alcohol while keeping the prices down is to offer a signature cocktail. The bridal couple chooses one or two cocktails (perhaps the bride’s favorite and the groom’s favorite) to serve to guests, either during a cocktail hour or throughout the night. All other alcoholic beverages are available at the cash bar. You can get creative with this, so if you are considering it, have fun choosing your cocktails!
Dry Wedding
If you or a good portion of your guests have a reason to avoid alcohol, because of medical issues, religious convictions or simple preference, do not be afraid to simply have a dry wedding. At this type of wedding, no alcohol is served, only water, soft drinks, juices, teas and coffees. You might decide to make an exception for the champagne toast, or you may choose to use sparkling grape juice instead.

No matter how you choose to handle the alcohol at your wedding, don’t be afraid of offending your guests. They are, after all, attending in order to help you celebrate the happiest and most important day of your life! Do what is best in terms of your budget and your lifestyle, and feel assured that everyone will have a great time.