Appetizer Reception and Serve Yourself Bar?

Question

I plan on having an appetizer reception for about 20 people. They are my close family and a couple friends, as well as his close family and a couple friends. They are all responsible adults (although some not over 21, but they would be respectful and not be drinking alcohol) so I don't think they would over do it on the drinks. Would it be okay to do a sort of serve yourself bar?

I was thinking I would stock up a table with a few things like Vodka, Kailua, Irish Cream, fruit juices, club soda, coffee, tea, and other things like that, and people could make their own drinks. If they don't really know how to make drinks, I made little cards with simple recipes that I was going to leave on the table also. Here is a link to a picture of one of the cards. (Recipe for Irish Coffee)

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb258/Shelly18_photo/100_1424.jpg

What do you think?

Answer 1

I don't know about that only because there are people there that will be under 21. Where are you having the wedding? A House? Private venue? If you are having it somewhere other than a friend/family members house or backyard you need to check with the people at your reception venue. If there are minors there they might require someone, by law, to monitor and serve drinks.

If you are having it at a home then I think it would be okay - just have someone who can keep their eye on the bar just in case.

I think the cards are very cute though - really creative.  

Answer 2

If you're not going to have a bartender, the easiest thing to do is get a keg for beer and some bottles of wine.  It gets really complicated with mixed drinks.  I love mixed drinks but wine and beer was the way to go for our wedding.

I'm not a wine person but some safe wine bets are Riesling, Moscatto, and of course White Zinfandel.  

Answer 3

I think that an appetizer reception is a great cheap way, and having the self serve bar is is a good idea as well...positive you wont have to hire anyone to man the bar. The recipe cards are such a great idea, if you wanted to you could put some on the bar. I hope that you have a blessed wedding.

Answer 4

I think its cute, I wouldnt mind at all making my own drink. Like you said, its all close freinds and family, they shouldnt mind. Great idea :)

Good Luck and Congrats  

Answer 5

nice but i wouldnt have a self serve bar if u have that u will have people gettin drunk faster and start actin like losers   do a ticket  3 tickets a drink

Answer 6

I really like the way you are handling this. Simple, fun, informal...  

Answer 7

This totally depends upon the location, because in most venues this would not be allowed - because of liability issues, you must have a bartender.

If it's at your home, this would be fine.

Answer 8

It is a cute idea for a small party, but on the other hand, having someone who knows how to mix drinks may be nice, too.

Answer 9

I assume you are having this event at either someone's home or a place that allows you to bring in your own catering and liquor right?

Cause if not, they probably have rules against this.

Even if it is a place where they let you bring in your own catering & liquor, you might check with them just in case, b/c they might have some kind of liability if anything happened.

Answer 10

I think for the amount of people that is a perfect idea. I really like the cards too, very creative

~MLF~