There are a few ways you can cut cost on paying for a bar and by hiring a bartending service and providing your own alcohol. There are a few basics that you should have at the bar and mixers to offer your guests.
~Champagne
~Red Wine
~White Wine
~Beer
~Gin
~Light Rum
~Vodka
~Tequila
If you choose to offer an open bar this is a very generous approach, although expensive it is the courteous option to offer your guests. Be sure to have your bartender keep an eye out for the frequent visitors to the bar. This is something that your coordinator can keep be observant of, if you know who the key folks are ahead of time let your coordinator know.
Offering a limited bar can be cost effective and allows you to limit the amount of alcohol that your guests consume. During the cocktail, toast and an hour after dinner you can offer drinks at the bar. Having the wait staff pass drinks also limits the options and number of drinks being served.
If the majority of your guests don’t drink….no problem there are many substitutes for alchol. Serve sparkling cider, virgin drink such as sangrias, soft drinks, and juices. Here is a recipe for virgin sangrias:
Virgin Sangria
1 (6-ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed and undiluted
1 (6-ounce) can frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed and undiluted
1 (33.8-ounce) bottle club soda, chilled
Crushed ice
Orange slices (optional)
Maraschino cherries (optional)
1. Combine orange juice and apple juice concentrates; stir well. Stir in chilled club soda. Serve over crushed ice.
2. Garnish each serving with an orange slice and a cherry, if desired.
Makes about 5 1/2 cups.
