What To Consider When Having An Open Wine Bar At A Wedding
Consider When Having An Open Wine Bar At A Wedding? A wedding is a memorable occasion, and there is no better way to celebrate it than with a bit of alcohol. Getting inebriated puts people’s inhibitions down, making them more open for a bit of conversation, dancing, and all-out partying.
You need to enliven your guests at your wedding reception, so you may be considering setting up an open wine bar to heighten the fun and excitement. It is an ultimate treat for guests, as they get to indulge in their favorite liquor.
Remember that a considerable chunk of your food budget will likely go to the bar, so it’s essential to determine how much wine you should get and think carefully about your options before choosing a service provider.
The following are some things to consider when having an open wine bar at a wedding:
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Professional bar or do-it-yourself bar
You can opt for a professional bar or a DIY bar, depending on your venue’s protocol. If you want something low-maintenance, opting for a bar run by professional services is a good choice. Although alcohol and other service fees will be marked up, this offers great convenience for the bride and groom who don’t want to micromanage their wedding reception.
If you want to go the DIY route, you may create a bar yourself. You have a free choice of what beverages to buy. Even if you’re setting up a bar on your own, you still need to hire a professional or two to tend the bar and serve your guests.
If you find yourself torn between a DIY bar and a professional one, consider hiring a bartending service that provides a bartender, rentals, setup, and cleanup.
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Bar style for an open wine bar at a wedding
There are different bar styles you can adopt for your wedding reception, and it is up to you to choose based on your budget and preferences.
- Open Bar – This is a popular bar style wherein the host pays for each drink their guests consume. Guests have the freedom to drink as much as they like. An open bar usually has servings of wine, beer, and champagne.
- Consumption Bar – In a consumption bar, the wedding hosts pay for the drinks that guests consume during the wedding event. Only the drinks the guests have ordered will be paid for.
- Soft Bar – This bar has a limited selection of beverages. It typically offers only red and white wine.
- White Bar – As the name suggests, a white bar offers only white beverages, such as vodka, gin, white rum, and white wine.
- Dry Bar – If you or your guests are teetotallers, consider a dry bar instead. Simply offer a mix of non-alcoholic beverages, such as soda, tea, and juice.
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Amount of alcohol to buy
You must have an idea of how much alcohol to buy for an open wine bar at a wedding. This is especially important if you plan to set up a DIY bar. You need to determine the average amount each guest is likely to consume throughout the duration of your reception. Some guests may drink more, while some, less. One drink per hour per guest is a reasonable estimate. As an example, for a six-hour wedding reception with 100 guests, you’ll need to prepare 600 drinks.
If you are in doubt about your estimate, review your list to determine how much each person typically drinks, and then adjust the amounts of wine and alcohol accordingly. If you want to be sure, you can always overestimate to ensure everyone is catered to satisfactorily.
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Additional costs that will factor into your budget
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Corkage fee
If you plan to DIY, you may have to shell out a corkage fee so you can bring your own alcohol to the event’s venue. The corkage fee can add up quickly, so be sure to estimate the overall costs. Ensure that the corkage fee is clearly stated in your contract before signing to avoid unnecessary stress from unexpected expenses you’re not prepared to pay.
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Insurance
You will need insurance in case an alcohol-related accident happens at your wedding party. Ensure that you have insurance to cover any potential liability. If the caterer or venue has insurance, that coverage may also apply to you. If not, it is a good idea to obtain insurance to make sure alcohol-related accidents will be covered.
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Tips
Some suppliers already include a service or a gratuity fee in their contract. If there is none, the tip you should give your bartender is 15 to 20% of the final bar tab. If a service fee is already included, a tip is not necessary, and any additional tips you choose to give will be entirely at your discretion.
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Bar and glassware
If your venue doesn’t provide a bar, you’ll have to rent one or get an alternative, such as a cabinet. If you are stocking the bar yourself, you will also need to rent materials, such as glassware, from a caterer to have an open wine bar at a wedding.
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Ways of saving money
- Buy cans/ bottles rather than a keg
A keg can become useless once the party is over. However, unused cans and bottles can still be saved even after the wedding reception is over. You should also consider the extra materials and delivery fees a keg entails. Ultimately, you will find that cans and bottles are a significantly more cost-effective option.
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Don’t offer too many options
Your guests really don’t need an unlimited number of drinks to be satisfied. As long as you have enough wine, you are good. As a general rule, offer only your signature drink during cocktail hour, and then move to wine for dinner and the rest of the evening’s events.
Final Thoughts
Weddings are a chance for people to gather and celebrate something meaningful. Wine and alcohol are a great addition to make your event even more enjoyable. Having an open wine bar at a wedding will satisfy guests who want to get a little tipsy, allowing them to socialize without inhibitions.
Remember that you don’t have to splurge on your wine bar to please your guests. Your guests will usually look for the basic types of wines and cocktails. Plus, there are many ways you can save money with an open wine bar without compromising the satisfaction of your guests as far as booze is concerned.
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