5 Regrets brides have on their wedding day… {continued}
#5 Having an Open Bar at your Wedding
Here’s the last post of “5 common regrets brides have on their wedding day”. Number 5 on the list - Having an Open Bar at your Wedding.
Your wedding days will be one of the most magical days of your life. From the venue, to the gathering of friends and family, to the dinner and drinks. Having an open bar may seem like the best way to go but there are some things to consider. Now keep in mind, this is a very regional idea. There are some areas of the United States (and world) where an open bar is pretty much the only option. Your guests might revolt if you go another direction lol! But here in Idaho, where our venue, Sunnyside Farm & Events is located, it is very common to have a cash bar or combination (open to a certain dollar amount and then cash bar).
We love the idea of a combination bar and there are a few different ways you can do it. Some couples will opt for an open beer and wine bar and then have cocktails available for purchase by the guests. Some couples will decide on a certain dollar amount and have an open bar until the tab reaches that amount and then it becomes a cash bar. We’ve also seen couples give each guest one or two tokens for free drinks and then after that it is a cash bar. This helps keep costs down but still allows your guests to have a few drinks on the couple and then they can pay for anything beyond what is offered.
If you are still set on an open bar, here are some things to think about:
1. It can be very expensive.
While the idea of unlimited drinks sounds fun and exciting, you’d be surprised how fast that tab can add up. We see it time and time again, when the bar is open, people will keep ordering and be very wasteful. When we clean off tables at the end of the night it’s pretty shocking how many full beverages we throw away.
2. The Party Can Get Out Of Control
While an open bar can certainly liven up the reception, it can also lead to some less-than-ideal situations. When alcohol flows freely, it’s easy for some guests to go overboard. You may end up with people behaving in ways you didn’t anticipate — from awkward to downright embarrassing. Trust me when I say, this is pretty common.
3. Your Paying for Unused Alcohol
At the end of the night, you might find that a lot of alcohol you paid for goes untouched. Weddings are big social gatherings, and not every guest will drink as much as you anticipate. Offering an open bar means that you’ve paid for more than some guests will even want, and that’s money you could’ve put toward other things, like your honeymoon or an upgraded photographer.
With a cash bar or a set number of drinks per guest, you only pay for what’s actually consumed, ensuring you don’t waste your budget.
4. The Hangover Factor
Depending on what you have planned for the following day with friends and family who are visiting from out of town, you definitely don’t want to be feeling miserable from overindulgence. An open bar will most likely encourage drinking too much and leaving everyone unable to function well the next day. You can refer back to Part 1 of this series to see all the ways drinking too much can affect your wedding day and the day after.
Instead of an all-out open bar, consider offering a more thoughtful approach with a limited selection of drinks that reflects your taste. Starting next year at Sunnyside Farm, our Sunnyside Sips bar service gives you the option to customize your drink offerings. Choose a few signature drinks, a selection of beers and wines, or offer a combination hosted/cash bar. We also take care of all the details — from garnishes to mixers — so you can rest easy knowing your guests will be taken care of, and the party won’t get out of hand.
An open bar might seem like a crowd-pleaser, but in the end, it can add unnecessary stress and cost to your day. Choosing a more curated bar option can help you keep the day about what matters most while still offering your guests a great experience.
Sunnyside Farm is a locally owned and operated business. We sincerely hope to encourage couples to learn more about the value and importance of choosing a locally owned business when it’s time to book your wedding venue & vendors. With locally owned venues you will often see a higher level of hospitality, better communication and a greater desire to truly ensure your wedding exceeds expectations. We are thrilled to support wedding venue owners from around the country with a weekly shout out in our blog. You can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.
Visit these great venues for more wedding inspo.