The Bar Scene – Cost-Cutting Ideas for Your Reception!

The bar has been known to consume a lot of a coupleÂ’s wedding budget. Many couples have tried different attempts to cut this cost and here we will explore some tips that you might use to lower your bar bill.

1. Consider having a brunch wedding instead. Guests are unlikely to drink a lot during this time frame. More people will opt for a cup of java or tea over a highball.



2. Start buying your liquor NOW! If your wedding is a considerable time away (a year or more) start looking through flyers for liquor specials. Buy your hard liquor and just keep on stocking up until the wedding.



3. Buy kegs instead of bottled beer. Check with a local distributor and see if you can get a discount on a few kegs of beer.



4. Make your own wine! Wine kits are available everywhere and are substantially cheaper than buying bottles of wine. You can also make personalized labels with your names and wedding dates on them.



5. Have a cocktail reception. Limit the reception to three hours. Any longer than that and lampshades are appearing on peopleÂ’s heads. Allocate about three drinks per person for this time-frame. It is a cheaper option than having a sit-down dinner with wine and drinks and a three-four hour dance reception.



6. Figure out what your guests drink! Limit your bar to a few speciality drinks such as a speciality MartiniÂ’s, beer and wine. Work your drinks into a theme such as if you are having a winter wedding, serve Hot Toddies or Egg Nog w/rum or if you are having a summer wedding, serve Sangria punch and cold beer. A classic selection for a party bar includes: red and white wines, beer, vodka, rum, gin, scotch, bourbon and whiskey.



7. Is serving liquor mandatory? Absolutely not. Substitute alcoholic drinks with coffee, tea, fruit punch and soft drinks.

The cash bar has become an option for many couples (guests pay $1-2 for their drinks and the couple pays the rest). This option has had its run of debate. Many say that if you are hosting an event than you should not ask your guests to pitch in for drinks as they are coming exactly as that – your guests. It is unacceptable.


However, many couples just cannot afford to handle this expense. One thing imperative that you do if you are opting for this option is to let your guests know beforehand. Many guests are accustom to not paying for drinks and therefore bring a minimal amount of cash with them to weddings. Either state you are having a cash bar on your invitation or make sure word-of-mouth gets to your guests about the cash bar. You might also consider buying two or three drinks for your guests and then having the rest of the reception as a cash bar.


Try using some of the tips above and see if you can budget the bar into your wedding. As a general rule it is best if you can host the bar and not let your guests pay the bill.