Need some help. Our wedding is October 16th (yes I know OSU plays at Wisconsin that night) and I am trying to determine how much $$$ we are going to go through on our open bar. We will probably turn it into a cash bar at some point, just trying to get a feel when that will be. The reception will start around 7pm and figuring it will last until 11 or 12. We will have approximatley 350 guests. Most of our friends are between the ages of 24-30 and they will be about 100 of them there. I figure they will do the majority of the drinking. We will have keg beer, wine and probably 3-4 types of liquor. I have checked the "calculators" but they seem to be off, especially on their calculations for wine consumption. Can anyone help me out here?

Where is the reception located? The facility should be able to provide some info....350 is a really large group.

Yeah 350 is a lot...boo on the cash bar, though. I've never been to a reception with one. I understand why it's needed sometimes but it would definitely put a damper on the evening.

Wow, big wedding! Websurfinbird and I are getting married next weekend (October 10), with 180 guests ... we are doing complete top-shelf open bar. I would avoid the cash bar if you can, sets a cheesy tone, but if you need to financially so be it. Congrats on your wedding!

Any man who's agrees to a wedding during College Football Saturdays is no man at all.

Scarlet_Buckeye;503495 wrote:Any man who's agrees to a wedding during College Football Saturdays is no man at all.

Oh here we go.

Just make sure there is a tv available to watch the game and it's fine. Just don't scedule the ceremony during the game...problem solved.

Scarlet_Buckeye;503495 wrote:Any man who's agrees to a wedding during College Football Saturdays is no man at all.

I disagree (in fact we got married OSU-UM day), all weekends have sporting events or other happenings that guests will miss if they attend. My best friend got married Masters weekend this year, and I took him to the Masters a few years ago! Autumn weather is a good time for pictures, and usually facilities are less expensive.

Don't serve alcohol and problem solved.

Scarlet_Buckeye;503495 wrote:Any man who's agrees to a wedding during College Football Saturdays is no man at all.

Not only do most US citizens not care about sports but the vast majority don't care about college football.

There are plenty of "men" out there that would laugh at those who define their masculinity based on entertainment sports affiliation.

DO NOT set a time/cash limit for the bar to turn into a cash bar. This will result in heavier binge drinking and more chance of a friend making asshole of her/his self. Also you could cut one type of alcohol out. Do beer/wine, beer/liquor ect... that should save some money. I had 180 people at my wedding and had wine and champange only and spent almost $900. Probably 50 people were actually drinking.

1st of all, yes it is a large group, but fortunately the prices for the hall and food in Dover/New Philadelphia are very reasonable. We will have the beer and wine open the entire night. I would prefer to keep the liquor open the entire night as well, but am just trying to get a feel for how much I am looking at. I agree, cash bars suck, and we intend to at least keep the beer/wine open the entire evening.

2nd we wanted to do it in October, when we set the date last year Wisconsin was playing like garbage so figured it wouldn't be a big deal, then they won like 8 of their last 9. Also, if people don't want to come on a Buckeye football game, then don't come.

We had an open bar for the first two hours and then switched to a host bar for the final two or three hours. The guest still didn't have to pay for any booze but we weren't paying open bar prices for people that had already left. Host bar just meant that we paid for each drink. As far as the guests knew it was still just a regular open bar. We saved a lot of money that way.

Have you thought about having just beer and wine all night? The guests would never have to realize there was no more liquor being served. Or you could go with just one "signature drink"...aka your favorite mixed drink.

Fab4Runner;503610 wrote:Have you thought about having just beer and wine all night? The guests would never have to realize there was no more liquor being served. Or you could go with just one "signature drink"...aka your favorite mixed drink.

Me and the gf are thinking about that, the signature drink thing. She wants Bloody Marrys which is perfect for say 8am but not 8pm.

I'm going to go with Hot Apple Pie or some sort of lemoade concoction. Both can be delicious with or without the alcohol.

Yea Bloddy Marrys could be virgin and still be ok

I went to a wedding that only served Heineken in the beer category (no heini light) and that cut down beer consumption by the amateurs... lol. Most of the people who choose top shelf liquor end up mixing it with something anyway.... they do not deserve to waste the good stuff... LOL. So just buy the lesser expensive well drinks for the mixed drink crowd (jack and coke, rum and coke, screwdriver, etc drinkers) leave the good stuff for those who know how to drink properly... on the rocks, neat, or a splash of water for scotch, etc.

Darby Diva is getting married in December - we also struggled with the decision about free alcohol. We were worried about the cost - and also the fact that a majority of my wife's family has severe problems with self-control when it comes to alcohol ( or just about anything else that they can smoke, snort, inject or ingest )

The caterer with whom we are working advised us that our best bet was the same one mentioned above - serve a round or two of champagne "on the house", and then provide draft beer and a couple varieties of a serviceable wine. No liquor, cash basis or otherwise - which is fine for an "o'devours" reception anyway.

The caterer's coordinator advises that this usually eliminate the problems with over-indulging guests. While one can get thoroughly smashed on beer or wine, it occurs much less often due to the fact that you're getting much less alcohol per gulp with beer, and it's generally more difficult to pound down wine. One exception - she warned against providing "alco-pops" (Smirnoff coolers, etc.) - younger and inexperienced drinkers often overdo them and cause problems.

Has Muggsy scored an escort yet?

Beer and Wine is where its at. I like the idea of not serving "light" beer, as it'll cut down on the overall consumption.

Don't do a cash bar, it makes you look cheap, and you don't want to be known as a "cheap" guy, do you?

Fab4Runner;503498 wrote:Oh here we go.

Just make sure there is a tv available to watch the game and it's fine. Just don't scedule the ceremony during the game...problem solved.

I will have my phone close to me with updates...when I can sneak them in...thinking about joining the "club" its at just so I can sneak off into the club side "going to the bathroom" to watch a few snipits.

Wooball;503542 wrote:
2nd we wanted to do it in October, when we set the date last year Wisconsin was playing like garbage so figured it wouldn't be a big deal, then they won like 8 of their last 9. Also, if people don't want to come on a Buckeye football game, then don't come.

ITS NOT THAT EASY...for one of us...haha

we are having open beer, wine and well liquor for 6 hours

Most wedding receptions around here just have beer, high-balls and maybe something else like Vodka Lemonade.

fortfan;504087 wrote:Most wedding receptions around here just have beer, high-balls and maybe something else like Vodka Lemonade.

"High balls"? What are you in your mid 60's?