08/29/2024
When it comes to your wedding bar, you have two main options: A "based on consumption" bar charges you for what’s actually consumed and is great if you have guests who are not big drinkers, offering potential savings, while a "hosted bar" provides a flat rate for unlimited drinks, giving you convenience and is great if your guests love their cocktails. 🍸
Based on Consumption Bar:
Pay-As-You-Go Bar: In this option, you pay only for the drinks your guests actually consume. Before the wedding, you set a budget for the bar—say $3,000. Once your guests' drinks reach that amount, you can choose to either add more money (like $750) or switch to a cash bar where guests pay for their own drinks.
This option is budget-friendly because it keeps costs flexible and avoids surprises. It’s great if many of your guests aren’t heavy drinkers, making an open bar less cost-effective. However, if your guests drink a lot and you want to host the bar all night, this could potentially cost more than an open bar package. The final cost depends on how much your guests indulge.
Hosted (Open) Bar: This option involves paying a set rate per guest for unlimited drinks. It’s a great choice if most of your guests will be drinking, and you want to ensure they don’t pay for anything.
An open bar provides a luxury experience, perfect for a carefree and festive atmosphere. The fixed cost gives you peace of mind, knowing exactly what you’ll spend on the bar upfront.
How to Decide Which Option is Best for Your Wedding:
1. Be realistic about your budget—what can you truly afford?
2. Look at your guest list and estimate who will drink heavily versus those who might only have one or two drinks.
3. Compare the per-drink cost with Pay-As-You-Go and run some estimates to see which option fits your budget better.
Which option matches your wedding style? Let us know in the comments! 🍾