Two people joined by love get to start their new life as husband and wife – isn’t that worth celebrating? Close friends and beloved family members get to toast to the newlyweds during the wedding reception, hence, stocking your bar is a must.
Photo: Katelyn Brown Photography
Having an open bar at your own wedding reception is optional, but it has become quite popular in modern weddings because, as they say in quirky little signs at weddings, “love is intoxicating.” Kidding aside, having alcoholic beverages at weddings and in any celebrations has become a staple for most wedding guests. Well-wishers get to toast for a brighter future for the newlyweds and the new husband and wife also get to cheers to their new beginning. During the party, guests get to loosen up and have fun with other invited family and friends they have not seen for a while. With the open bar, guests aren’t pressured into carrying actual cash during the reception and that they are free to enjoy the booze and the festivities within proper amounts all night long.
So if you and your husband-to-be are planning to have an open bar at your wedding reception, here are a couple of tips we can give you to make sure that all party plans are good to go.
It’s all in the planning.
Get a good estimate of the guests who will be drinking and what kind of drink they will be going for. Those group of uncles, your girlfriends from college, the crazy cousins, and even the co-workers who are looking forward to getting a night off – anticipate these details in trying to get a better view of how much alcohol to stock up on.
Hire a pro.
Getting a bar staff will help you in making your open bar a success and also in lessening your planning to-dos. These experts can help plan what drinks to buy and how much. Certified bar experts can even help in monitoring the guests’ sobriety levels as well as ensuring that only of age guests can get access to the booze.
DIY Bar.
If you are looking towards doing your own open bar, make sure to get your liquor from a licensed local seller. Ask for a wholesale discount and plus points if you can find a shop which accepts unopened drinks to be returned the next day. Assign the groomsmen to be in charge of keeping the bar stocked at all times and also have someone monitor those who come up and grab drinks, just in case your uncle gets to his 6th bottle of beer or in case your little cousin gets tempted to have his first ever drink.
Get creative with the customized drinks.
An alternative to the open bar is to serve cocktails which are made especially for the wedding day. In most cases, there are 1 to 2 drinks served for the guests while other options are open to the public as well, but in limited amounts. It allows you to show your creative flair when it comes to creating drinks that are perfect for the occasion and are budget-friendly as well. Offering mocktails, or non-alcoholic beverages, for the designated drivers, the pregnant and lactating moms, and even the older guests will also be greatly appreciated.
Don’t forget the H2O.
Have a stack of bottled water ready right beside the bar to remind the party-goers to stay hydrated. Even having other options, like iced tea and lemonade, can be handy for guests who are looking into laying off the alcohol before going home.
Have a plan B.
Worst comes to worst, guests become drunk right at the end of the party and some of them might not be able to drive or even make it home. Have a plan for them ready and let your bridal party know about it. Is there a nearby diner or food truck where they could grab a bite and a cup of coffee? Will any of the groomsmen be able to drive them home? Is there a nearby inn or hotel where they could spend the night?
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