The bar at your reception can become a huge part of your budget. This causes many couples to provide no-host bars instead. While that can be extremely economical, it can be considered quite rude in terms of etiquette standards. Think about it in this way. When you invite someone to your home, do you ask them to pay for that glass of wine or cocktail you just served them? It is the same thing when you invite someone to your wedding or event.
So how do you get this huge budget item under control? One way is to have a beer and wine only bar. These beverages are much less expensive than mixed drinks. Another option is to have one or two signature cocktails that are passed by the wait staff during the cocktail hour and then no more alcohol after that. Another option is to serve appropriate wines during each course of dinner only.
Recently, I had a couple who decided that for the cost of hosting a bar, they could host some really great entertainment for their guests instead. So, they only had the traditional champagne toast and spent the money on Monte Carlo themed entertainment (casino tables and dealers) as well as a DJ for dancing. They did served plenty of non-alcoholic drinks. It, by far, was the most fun I have ever seen guests have at a wedding reception. No one left until the end and the guests are still talking about how much fun they had!
Interestingly enough, whether it be a client’s wedding or my own backyard 4th of July BBQ, the most consumed beverage of the event???? Bottled water! That always seems to go the quickest, at least here in California.
Karen 
Tags: alcohol, bar, bridal consultant, bride, California, event, event planning, hosted bar, party, Reception, Sacramento, wedding, wedding planner, wedding planning, weddings
