Charge guests for drinks at my at home reception?

Question

i’m having an outdoor wedding reception at my home. I’m serving only beer and wine, I’m purchasing all the beer and wine myself. I’m wondering if I should have open bar all night, or is it ok to charge my guests ( a cheap price) for drinks even though it’s at my house?? It will be expensive to buy all the alcohol, im not looking to make a buck, just help cover the costs of things.

Answer 1

If your worry is that people will drink too much hire a bartender. If it's the cost then either don't serve alcohol or accept the fact that people will think it's a little chintzy.  

Answer 2

The only possible way to avoid this being extremely tacky is to hire an outside bartender and put a tip jar on the bar. You could have a friend who is a bartender do it for a minimal fee and that way you may be able to have a "cash bar" or tip jar. However, if you are hosting a party you should not make anyone pay. A party with a charge is basically a fundraiser.

And yes, we are having a 5-hour open bar at our reception.

Answer 3

It's considered extremely tacky to charge guests for drinks at a reception, especially if you're at home! If you want a way to cut the costs a bit, include two or three "drink coupons" in each invitation. This has become a popular concept not just because it limits the amount guests drink, therefore cutting the cost, but because it means that there's less of a chance that someone will try to drive home drunk. What would normally be done is that guests would use the coupons, then have to pay for whatever else they consumed that night. At a home reception that's just offering beer I don't know how that would work out, usually this method is used at parties with a fully staffed bar.

You might try talking to your local liquor store. If you buy a certain amount they might give you a discount.

Answer 4

Have your two friends bartend and buy 1 keg of beer (maybe a light beer, something cheapish like miller lite).  Then, buy a case of wine from a wine wholesaler (big discount).

This will not run you too much money.  

But please, don't charge - outside company or not.  It is simply NOT cool.  Be alcohol free if you can't swing it.

By the way, CONGRATULATIONS!

Answer 5

I think your guests would think that is rude.If you cant afford,dont buy.

Answer 6

Of course you do NOT charge. You are to be hosting your guests. Have a full open bar, it's part of your expense for the wedding.

We had an open bar for cocktails - one hour. Then for dinner, there were bottles of red and white wine on the tables. Open bar re-opened after dinner, for another six or seven hours. It's all in the cost of hosting your guests to celebrate with you. If you can't afford it, cut down on the number of guests, style of wedding, etc.

Answer 7

Just don't have alcohol at the reception!  We didn't have any and we didn't miss it.  I would be totally offended if I went to a wedding reception and was expected to "purchase" my refreshments.  Tacky at it's best!

Answer 8

no!  tacky!  we didn't serve alcohol at our wedding and no one missed it.

Answer 9

if its at your home and its not a catered event with a hired bar tender then you really cant charge for drinks  

Answer 10

What? Are you serious?  Invited "guests" should never have to pay for their food or drinks, no matter what the occasion.  I suppose you would still expect wedding gifts from them too. Very tacky.

Answer 11

If you cannot afford to pay for the liquor, don't have any. Liquor is expensive, but if you wanted to serve it, it should have been a part of the wedding budget. Why would charging a measly $2 for a beer keep someone from not finishing it! Why do you care if someone finishes their drink or not? How about if each guest who brings a gift, charges you part of the cost of the gift? Anyway, you're already saving money by having it at your home! It's not like you are paying for a ballroom, so the least you can do is pay for the drinks! At best, you'll be viewed as a hustler. If you would even consider something like this, says you didn't have enough money saved for your wedding. Basically, you cannot afford to have a wedding.

Answer 12

Kelly, it seems extremely tacky to charge guests for anything at your home, whether what you're serving set you back plenty or not. They're supposed to be your *guests*, not your customers.

I guarantee you people would be talking about that rather than the bridal couple for years to come.

If you can't afford the alcohol without the drinkers absorbing some of the cost, then don't serve it.  

Answer 13

That's terrible. You don't invite people to your home for a wedding, then charge them for the refreshments! I'd be really put off by that if I were a guest.

I agree with others who have said if you cannot afford it, just don't serve any alcohol. People will waste-food and drinks. That's just how it is. What, are you going to go around and charge people for hte portion of the food they took, but didn't eat?

Yes, we had fully open bar the entire time. We believe providing the refreshements is just another expense we willingly took on when we invite people to something we are hosting.

Answer 14

I think this is a horrible idea.

Although I'm not a fan of the cash bar at weddings in general, I can see it being done at a reception hall.  However, since you are hosting at your own home I think it just comes off as rude to charge people for beer and wine.  Even if you are not looking to make a buck, that's not how it will come off at all.  

If you can't afford the liquor, then don't serve it--that's better than charging people.

Answer 15

Wow are you hosting a Frat Party Kegger or a wedding?

The last time I paid for plastic cups of beer was indeed at a Fraternity party!

This is a ridiculous idea.  Don't do it.

If you cannot afford to host the party, then you need to scale back your guest list!

Answer 16

Holy crow. If you’re that concerned about money, then don’t have alcohol at all at your wedding reception. Seriously, who needs a party that’s not free? Shesh.

If you’re that concerned about money – then you have NO business getting married right now.

AND if your friends can only have fun while drinking alcohol, then you need new friends.

Otherwise, buy big bottles of inexpensive (but drinkable) wine and get a few kegs (not too many) and let them have-at. When it’s gone, it’s gone.

Answer 17

Charging them would be unbelievably TACKY.  It's not like a bar at a reception venue or restaurant, it's at your HOUSE.  Either don't charge or don't have drinks.

Answer 18

Do not charge your guests for a reception that you are having at your home.  If you can't afford to have alcohol, then only serve non-alcoholic drinks.  It would be very offensive to guests if you tell them they have to pay.  

Answer 19

Oh I have never heard of such a tacky thing. Don't serve alcohol if you can't afford to. You two would be talked about for years to come...and not in a good way.

And, yes...we are having open bar. For the whole night.