When planning your wedding, there are many decisions to make. One of these decisions is planning alcohol at a wedding. To serve or not to serve is a really important decision.

There are many things to consider when planning alcohol at a wedding and you need to be aware of not only the cost, but the liability involved with this decision.

To Serve or Not to Serve

Your guests need to drink something. Will it contain alcohol? Before you answer yes or no, consider this. Alcohol adds a significant cost to your wedding. If you are planning a wedding less than $1000, then you should seriously think about it.

It does not matter if you are buying liquor for a wedding at discount store or through a catering house, the cost can total to more than you expected. Also, when you serve alcohol at a wedding, your legal responsibilities must be considered.

Does your state or local law hold you personally responsible for intoxicated guests, even if you are holding the wedding at a restaurant or catering hall? Be sure to know what your liabilities are.

If you are planning alcohol at a wedding, here are some things to take into consideration. First what type of drinks will be served?

Do you want just beer and wine or are you going to include hard liquor? Will this fit into your budget? How are these beverages going to be served?

Let’s start with the first question, what type of drinks will be served? Beer and wine are the least expensive choices. You can limit the alcohol to just the champagne toast.

If you want to save even more, you can have the caterers serve by brining filled glasses to the table. That way you do not need expensive champagne.

On the other hand, if this is your only alcohol expense, you can go all out with Dom Perignon or other expensive label and serve from the bottle.

Open bar – how long, and what to serve? To have an open bar throughout the reception is extremely expensive. It also lends itself to more guests consuming too much.

Are you prepared to offer some form of ride home to those who are too impaired to drive? This will add further expense. Instead, why not have an open bar for the cocktail hour.

It will give your guests a chance to mingle and it will limit your expenses.

Furthermore, if money is a concern (and it always is) you can offer a cash bar, where your guests pay for their drinks. You can limit your liability as well with a limited open bar toward the beginning of the reception.

Should you serve during the meal? It’s nice to have wine during a meal. You can limit your expense if you choose this option by having the wait staff serve by the glass at the table. You can further extend your wedding reception menus to cater for this.

If you put full bottles on the table and allow your guests to serve themselves it will increase the amount consumed and thus increase your expense.

What about an Alcohol Free Wedding

Some people for many reasons do not want to serve spirited beverages at their wedding. If you are not planning alcohol at a wedding, you can save considerable money. Instead of beer, wine, and hard liquor, you can serve a variety of teas, soda, lemonade, and coffees.

It would be great to have a wonderful selection of gourmet coffees with dessert. It is very possible to have an elegant wedding without alcohol consumption.

Overall, if you are planning alcohol at a wedding be sure to keep your budget and guests safety in mind.