Wedding Wisdom™

Buying Liquor for Wedding Receptions: Be Smart!

10/28/2015 by Deborah McCoy

Don't Be Taken to the Cleaners When It Comes to Liquor and Weddings...

Having been a bridal consultant for many years, I can tell you with certainty that liquor costs can kill a bridal budget if the wedding's hosts are not careful. 

The most common comment I've heard from the mouths of my brides-to-be? "Well, most of my family doesn't drink, so I'm going to buy liquor by the drink... My catering director thinks that's best for me..." 

My comment: "BIG Mistake!"

When Liquor's FREE, People Drink...

I can tell you with certainty that when liquor is FREE, even teetotalers, drink! If you buy liquor "by the drink" (you pay one price for every drink that's consumed), you can wind up with a liquor bill that will break the bank. 

And the key is, if you're presented with an over-the-top liquor bill at the end of the evening, how do you prove otherwise? It's your word against theirs but you signed the contract and you will pay!

Buying Liquor to YOUR Best Advantage!

The best way to buy liquor for a wedding reception is "by the head". That means that you pay one price for each person of drinking age for a four- or five-hour open bar.

You will know from the beginning, at the time you sign the contract, what your liquor costs will be. There will be no surprises at the end of the evening.

Moral of the Story: You, and not the catering property, is in control of the liquor costs! And that's the way it should be.





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