Drinks Service Options for Weddings and Events
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There are generally 2 main options for bar service at your wedding or event. Each option will be suitable based on your guests drinking habits and your budget for the event. The most popular for events is usually an open bar for which the host will select a drinks package and pay all of the cost of the bar.
The second and less popular of these options however also the cheapest option is cash bar. Here guest will pay for their own drinks. There is also a third option which is a combination of both an open bar and a cash bar called a limited or combination bar. Open Bar: This is the most popular option for hosts wishing to show appreciation to their guests for attending an event, specifically at a wedding an open bar is often considered standard protocol to provide for the guests. In saying this an open bar can quickly become one of the most expensive costs of a wedding. |
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Generally there are 2 ways in which an open bar can be priced both where the host will fit the bill. There are different packages available for guests to select varying in price based on each packages inclusions. You may select packages including beer, wine, spirits, cocktails and also between local and imported alcohol. Additional inclusions and import beverages will incur higher costs.
Pros: This has become somewhat a standard expectation in many cultures for weddings where guests do not have to pay during the day and shows appreciation to the guests. An open bar will keep the party going on well into the night and your guests happy on the dancefloor.
Cons: Guests are not as concerned about abandoning their drink, forgetting them, or having a few more than they would if they were paying for themselves. Excess consummation of alcohol can lead to inappropriate or unsocial behaviour by some guests.
Cash Bar: A cash bar is very much like it sounds where guests are able to order the drinks they want from the bar and they pay their individual bills for their drinks. This is not as common as an open bar especially for a wedding event however can be a great way to keep expenses to a minimum. The tone of the event can be greatly changed as guests will be more cautious of how much they spend. For this kind of service there will be a minimum spend level and if this is not reached then the host will be required to pay a fee.
Pros: The cost factor is the biggest pro here as it is a very large saving for the host. This method also reduces wasted consumption through drink abandonment and due to less unrestricted alcohol consumption reduces the chances of guests inappropriate or unsocial behaviour .
Cons: This is an unconventional method of providing service to guests at an event specifically a wedding. You should notify guests on the invitation in advance so the guest can prepare for this service style. The payment process can also slow down the service times.
Combination Bar: A combination bar provides hosts the option to combine both an open and cash bar. This allows the host to control costs while still providing free service of drinks for the guests. There are several ways in which this may be accomplished namely by time, tickets, or cost. Time means you may restrict the time that the open bar is provided for say 3 hours before returning to a cash bar. Tickets may be provided to each attendee which they can redeem for drinks at the bar, once used the bar reverts to a cash bar. This is better for corporate events not weddings. Cost allows the host to set a specific amount to be spent at the bar and then the bar will revert to a cash bar.
Limited Bar: A limited bar is yet another great option which allows for hosts to provide free service to guests however in a limited sense. Usually this is done by perhaps offering local beer and wine options for guests however for the more expensive items such as cocktails or spirits guests may pay for those. This provides guests a complete option however greatly reduces the expense of premium items. These options can be added as cash bar options to the basic packages available in our barn menus.
- Pricing by the drink - the bar will keep a tab of the drinks consumed during the night and charge the bill to the host. There is usually a minimum order price associated with this payment system to cover the costs of the catering for the event. This option does allow some control for the host as you can request the bar to notify you when you reach a certain value.
- Pricing per person / per hour - there is a set price per guest per hour which covers the consumption of the alcohol within the package selected. There is usually a minimum number of guests required to order these packages to cover the costs of catering the event.
Pros: This has become somewhat a standard expectation in many cultures for weddings where guests do not have to pay during the day and shows appreciation to the guests. An open bar will keep the party going on well into the night and your guests happy on the dancefloor.
Cons: Guests are not as concerned about abandoning their drink, forgetting them, or having a few more than they would if they were paying for themselves. Excess consummation of alcohol can lead to inappropriate or unsocial behaviour by some guests.
Cash Bar: A cash bar is very much like it sounds where guests are able to order the drinks they want from the bar and they pay their individual bills for their drinks. This is not as common as an open bar especially for a wedding event however can be a great way to keep expenses to a minimum. The tone of the event can be greatly changed as guests will be more cautious of how much they spend. For this kind of service there will be a minimum spend level and if this is not reached then the host will be required to pay a fee.
Pros: The cost factor is the biggest pro here as it is a very large saving for the host. This method also reduces wasted consumption through drink abandonment and due to less unrestricted alcohol consumption reduces the chances of guests inappropriate or unsocial behaviour .
Cons: This is an unconventional method of providing service to guests at an event specifically a wedding. You should notify guests on the invitation in advance so the guest can prepare for this service style. The payment process can also slow down the service times.
Combination Bar: A combination bar provides hosts the option to combine both an open and cash bar. This allows the host to control costs while still providing free service of drinks for the guests. There are several ways in which this may be accomplished namely by time, tickets, or cost. Time means you may restrict the time that the open bar is provided for say 3 hours before returning to a cash bar. Tickets may be provided to each attendee which they can redeem for drinks at the bar, once used the bar reverts to a cash bar. This is better for corporate events not weddings. Cost allows the host to set a specific amount to be spent at the bar and then the bar will revert to a cash bar.
Limited Bar: A limited bar is yet another great option which allows for hosts to provide free service to guests however in a limited sense. Usually this is done by perhaps offering local beer and wine options for guests however for the more expensive items such as cocktails or spirits guests may pay for those. This provides guests a complete option however greatly reduces the expense of premium items. These options can be added as cash bar options to the basic packages available in our barn menus.
