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.