Q. We’d like to have an open bar at our wedding, but we’re worried about guests overdoing it. What are some ways to make sure we keep the bar in check so neither our guests nor the bill get out of control?
A. The first step is to figure out your budget and which items are most important to you. If it’s flowers versus an open bar, then you have to allocate those dollars accordingly. But an open bar doesn’t necessarily mean you have to serve hard liquor all night. “Be creative,” says Amy Zaroff, lead event designer and producer at Amy Zaroff Events + Design.
“With a few imaginative touches, you can control your costs and quench your guests’ thirst.”
Zaroff suggests a few ways to host the bar while keeping expenses in check. For instance, consider serving a signature cocktail or wine spritzer as guests arrive during the cocktail hour. Greeting them with a libation is a warm way to welcome them as they mingle and enjoy appetizers.
Then offer a wine pour with each course. You can select the wines and the price point that’s within your budget, and your guests have beverages throughout the meal. Reserve the hard liquor for the dancing portion of the night.
Other fun ideas? Zaroff suggests planning a “boutique bar” such as a champagne bar, martini bar, margarita bar or bellini bar. These open bars serve liquor, but help keep your bottom line manageable. Or consider pairings of scotch, bourbon or tequila instead of a full selection of hard liquor. This is a fun way to sample varieties your guests might not have tried before, along with well-paired appetizers or menu items.