05/03/2024
WE Need Your Support
State Senator Jeff Smith + other colleagues from the Senate will be at The Barn at Mirror Lake on May 8th from 11:30am -1:00pm. This will be your chance to voice your opinions and thoughts about the new liquor law and its effect on all of our industry!
📅 Date: May 8th, 2024
🏠 Location: The Barn on Mirror Lake
⏰ Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
🍽️ Appetizers Provided: by Shawn McManus of Savory Creations
⭐ Volunteers and door prizes are always encouraged and appreciated!
𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. This includes brides/grooms, bankers/lenders, venues, wedding/event professionals who are not members, and members of the media. P̲l̲e̲a̲s̲e̲ ̲l̲e̲t̲ ̲u̲s̲ ̲k̲n̲o̲w̲ ̲i̲n̲ ̲t̲h̲e̲ ̲c̲o̲m̲m̲e̲n̲t̲s̲ ̲i̲f̲ ̲y̲o̲u̲ ̲w̲i̲l̲l̲ ̲b̲e̲ ̲b̲r̲i̲n̲g̲i̲n̲g̲ ̲g̲u̲e̲s̲t̲s̲ ̲a̲n̲d̲ ̲h̲o̲w̲ ̲m̲a̲n̲y̲ ̲s̲o̲ ̲w̲e̲ ̲c̲a̲n̲ ̲p̲l̲a̲n̲ ̲f̲o̲o̲d̲ ̲a̲n̲d̲ ̲s̲e̲a̲t̲i̲n̲g̲.̲
Wisconsin 2023 Act 73 is a massive overhaul of the Wisconsin's liquor laws. It was passed last November, and goes into effect January 1, 2026 if the law is not delayed or re-written because of the voices of all of us.
It directly affects wedding barns, other venues, caterers, bartenders, and all our clients who will now be prohibited from bringing/serving their own alcohol during their events. As a result of this new law, everyone in the wedding and event industry will be affected as venues are forced to make the decisions to either become licensed, have their economic liberties limited to no more than 6 events per year, or go out of business.
Already-licensed venues will not be able to keep up with demand, and/or many clients may not be able to afford or want a larger, licensed venue. For smaller gatherings, it may not even be financially advantageous for a larger venue to open their doors for the smaller groups.
Bartenders are now required to hold a newly created statewide license instead of holding one from the local municipality.
Caterers also are required to have a physical location if they are going to serve alcohol for their clients.
Clients will experience some venues closing their doors; fewer venues to choose from that may be more expensive; no longer being able to serve alcohol at their weddings/events; increased pricing because venues have to pass along thousands of dollars of added expenses, minimum alcohol limits that may not be reasonable for the number of their guests; and high alcohol prices set by the 3 main distributors in all of Wisconsin, and more.
Other wedding/event professionals will be affected as the venues struggle, close their doors and clients find creative ways such as home weddings, smaller weddings, etc. to combat the law. We saw these things happening during Covid as couples tried to find ways around masks and guest limits.
𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘. 𝗕𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗗. We have an opportunity window for just a short time to delay this law until new language can be written to protect the economic liberties of our industry.
