 With so many fabulous wines and champagnes available
on the market today. It’s no wonder that couples have trouble selecting
wines for their most special soirée.
Many hotel venues will offer wine tasting along with
your food tasting. This is a great way to choose the perfect wine that
will compliment the meal as well as selecting wine to serve at the bar.
If you are thinking about bringing your own wine &
champagne into a venue like a hotel, ask about the corkage fees. Don’t
be surprise if the corkage fees, per bottle, are more than the cost of
the bottles you bring in. Make sure it's all worth it for you.
If shopping for your own wine and champagne check with
your local wine outlets they may offer price breaks if you order in bulk.
You may also wish to contact some of the vineyards that produce your favorite
wines. The cost of ordering directly from them in large quantities may
save you money. If you live in a wine region, local wines may be available
at a good price.
More than wine and champagne
What brands of alcohol or non-alcohol beverages should
I request for my reception bar, whether it be hosted or no-host? By knowing
your guest and what their likes are, this will give you a good idea on
what, and how much to serve & budget for.
How special would it be if you had that rare drink that
your father in- law enjoyed Or if your long time childhood friend attended
the wedding from out of town and you had his or her favorite drink available?
These are just a few good reasons why it will be well worth making sure
your beverage bar is stocked with what your friends and family will enjoy.
If you come to find that the venue you selected does not carry a particular
brand you were hoping for, you may have the option to place a special
order with them. By doing this, you may have to purchase the whole order
up front, due to this item not being on their regular bar list.
How much do I budget for?
Your alcohol budget can take a toll on your wedding
bill if you decide to host a full bar. Here are a few tips that can save
you money.
How much alcohol will be consumed at a wedding reception?
You will have a better ideal of what types and how much will be consumed,
once you have your guest list and a list of beverages you'll like to serve.
Your wedding consultant will be able to assist you with figuring out an
estimate.
The time of day your wedding takes place will help you
guesstimate how much alcohol will be consumed. Keep in mind that there
will be those who will not drink and those who may drink their share plus
make up for those who don’t. This is something to be concerned about.
Liability is huge and you want your friends and family to have a great
time and be merry and at the same time you also want them leaving your
event in a good & safe condition.
Abuse of alcohol can ruin a party quickly. As the host,
you are accountable for the behavior of your guests. Enforce responsible
drinking behavior.
Tips..........
Estimate consumption to one drink per person, per hour,
or five drinks over the course of evening event. Alcohol consumption at
early afternoon receptions will tend to be considerably less. If you are
hosting your reception bar, assign a family member or friend to check
in with the banquet captain a few times over the course of the event for
updates on total consumption of alcohol being served at the bar. This
is a great way of keeping tract of your guest’s condition and making
sure that the bill doesn't sky rocket with out notice.
Bar Options
Rather than having an hosted full bar throughout the
reception, start with a cocktail hour and then close the bar during dinner
and offer your guest wine with dinner. Tip…do not leave wine bottles
on tables.
Have the banquet servers come around and serve your guest their
preference of white or red wine. This way you are not paying for open
bottles of wine that are not being consumed and it will add a nice touch
to your dinner service.
After dinner have a beverage bar set up with mineral
waters, soft drinks and coffee. Consider after-dinner drinks after cake
cutting.
Limit the Alcohol
Consider hosting only beer and wine and a variety of
waters, soft drinks and coffee or offer a hosted cocktail hour and wine
with dinner. Then after dinner have a cash/ no-host bar available. This
will offer the convenience to those of your guest who will like cocktails
after dinner. When guest are expected to pay for their own drinks, alcohol
is less wasted, due to guest tending to keep tract of their drinks and
tend to drink less.
Keep in mind you will NOT be considered cheap if you
do not host a full bar for the entire event or even if you decide not
to serve alcohol at your wedding.
Remember guest that will be attending your wedding will
be attending to see and share your special day and not for what will be
served at the bar!
Find your beverage needs in your city
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