Want An Open Bar Without The Hefty Price Tag? A Modified Open Bar Is The Way To Go For Your Wedding
When it comes to wedding planning, the sad reality is that a large portion of your budget will be eaten up by food and drink expenses.
But opting to add an extra appetizer or serve steak over chicken will not even be the biggest cost determinant. Instead, how you decide to structure your wedding bar will make all the difference– either saving you some money or soaring your expenses sky-high.
Now, there are a few different ways to structure a wedding bar. Some brides and grooms opt to host a fully open bar– which means that they foot the bill for all drink transactions rather than making guests pay.
On the other end of the spectrum are just standard bars, in which guests have to provide their own cash or cards to pay for all drink orders.
And in the middle, there is a third option that has been coined the “modified open bar.” We’ll talk more about that later.
But first, let’s dive into the benefits and downsides of providing a fully open bar on your big day.
Open Bar: The Pros
Open bars are usually the most appealing because they offer a better experience for guests. After all, who wants to make weddings an even more expensive endeavor for family members, friends, and other loved ones supporting your nuptials?
Open bars allow guests to drink stress and payment-free. So, after your guests spend money on travel, gifts, wedding attire, and more, this gesture is typically very well-received and appreciated. They do not have to bring their wallet or worry about how many beverages they can afford to pay for. Instead, open bars are a stress-saver.
IVASHstudio – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
In a similar vein, they also leave more time for celebration. Even if you have a bar staffed with three or four bartenders, ringing up bills, swiping cards, and signing receipts takes a good amount of time.
But, with an open bar, your guests will not be held up at the counter. Instead, all orders will be logged behind the bar, and your friends and family can just get back to the party– with their drinks in hand.
Open Bar: The Cons
If you could not have guessed, the largest downside to having an open bar is the cost.
Now, the price will vary depending on what you are serving. If you opt to purchase a drink package through your caterer– meaning that they will be in charge of every food and drink item served at your wedding– then you will likely receive a price quote per guest.
Nonalcoholic drinks, like soda, will obviously be much cheaper than any alcohol. Then, any additional beers, wines, and liquors will up the ante.
One general rule, though, is that the more drink options you provide, the higher price you will pay for your open bar. So, offering a complete menu will not be very budget-friendly.
It is also important to keep in mind that many caterers will include a gratuity– usually 20%– for the food and drink services. This can quickly add up depending on the size of your wedding guest party and how many beverages are ordered.
Modified Open Bars: An Alternative Option
With all of this being said, newlyweds nowadays have begun to stray from fully open bars for obvious cost-heavy reasons. So, it is actually now typical to expect an “in-between” bar option– known as a “modified open bar.”
Modified open bars essentially enable couples to decide what is offered on their wedding day and what is not. Some brides and grooms may opt to only freely serve wine and beer. Then, for liquor, they might designate a few signature cocktails for the evening that can be ordered off of a pre-made menu.
This allows only a few select spirits to be reserved and used on your wedding day rather than keeping a full liquor setup. So, it will keep your costs low without sacrificing alcohol.
Plus, this modification will still enable guests to attend your wedding wallet-free– since you will foot the bill behind the scenes. Simply decide what you want to serve on your big day and have a few cute signs made to show off the drink options.
Then, your guests can walk up to the bar, order off the menu, and head back to the dance floor without fussing over receipts.
Modified open bars have also grown in appeal because of their personalized nature. In other words, you and your partner can completely customize the signature cocktails to put your own touch on the evening.
Did you both meet while drinking a specific drink at a bar many moons ago? Make it a signature drink offering! Or, you can even do “his” and “hers” options to represent your tastes, personalities, or interests.
The opportunities are endless with modified open bars. And for couples on a budget, they really offer the best of both worlds: a reduced price tag and a worry-free guest experience.
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