Alcohol is one of the staples of the wedding reception. Guests toast the bride and groom, sip on drinks during dinner, and get enough ?liquid courage? to dance the night away. This means that most couples factor alcohol costs into their wedding budget?but they don?t always know exactly what goes into serving alcohol at their wedding.
If you?re getting married soon (or even just beginning to plan your big day), you probably have reception ?rules? on the brain. Here are a few tips to help you prepare to serve alcohol to all your guests.
Understand Your Options

Yes, alcohol is a common element of wedding receptions, but that doesn?t mean everyone serves it the same way. Couples have a few different options for serving alcohol at their wedding, and it?s important to understand them so you can provide the service that you (and your guests) really want. Firstly, there?s the open bar. In this scenario, the host (that?s you) pays your alcohol vendor a flat fee, which can range from $15 per person to $90 per person. Then, the bartender offers free drinks to your guests ALL NIGHT LONG.
The open bar is a great option if you and your guests are all about living it up. This allows everyone to fully enjoy themselves?regardless of their personal budget. That said, there are many different types of open bars depending on the party you want to have. Some vendors only offer free drinks during cocktail hour. Others offer free beer, wine, and champagne, but charge for mixed drinks.
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