Katharina Buczek
Don’t get me wrong: this is a very nice gesture that can encourage guests to mingle and set the tone for the event.
Honestly, though, alcohol is typically such a critical part of the reception that pre-ceremony drinks are just unnecessary. And opting to skip this gesture can save you a ton of cash.
Plus, if you really want to offer your guests a drink without putting a huge hole in your wallet, you can provide non-alcoholic beverages like fruit-infused water, iced tea, or lemonade.
B.Y.O.B
While you search for your ideal venue, be sure to settle on one that lets you bring your own liquor. This is a great way to avoid paying pesky markup fees– which can be significant.
On top of that, bringing your own booze allows you to hunt for bargains or even buy in bulk– saving you even more money.
Finally, after the wedding, any unopened bottles can also be returned to make sure you only pay for what your guests really drink.
Stick With Signature Cocktails
You may be dead set on an open bar, and that’s totally okay. After all, this setup saves guests time and money by allowing them to forego bill paying and focus on celebrating.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to go “all out” to have a great open bar, though. Instead, you can actually limit drink offerings to save a lot of dough.
So, instead of offering everything under the sun, limit the drinks to two “his” and “hers” signature cocktails. Do you love rosé, martinis, or a good old-fashioned mojito? Throw a fun twist on the name, and call it your signature!
