Do you expect to pay for our own drinks at he evening do of a wedding?

[WhistlingBetty]

I am getting married in six weeks and we need to let he venue know what we want to do about the bar.

We have 100 day guests and as well as canapes and a three course meal alcohol included is:

3 X glasses of champagne
Half a bottle of wine

We have an additional 30 guests for the evening and are doing a hot buffet. How much alcohol would you expect to be covered as an evening guest or a day guest going to the evening party? We can't afford a free bar.

[SissySpacekAteMyHamster]

I would expect to pay for my own drinks.

[Lulu1083]

We put enough behind the bar to buy everyone at the evening a drink (and estimated generously) then when that ran out people paid for their own. Would that work for you?

[PickleSarnie]

I wouldn't expect any free drinks at an evening do. I'd expect food though. I think it's fine what you're doing

[RiversrunWoodville]

No evening dos I've been to we've always bought our own drinks

[rookiemere]

For the day invitees I think your allowance is fine. For the evening guests I would expect to provide them with at least a glass of wine or fizz on arrival and a decent buffet.

[Sparklingbrook]

I wouldn't expect a free drink at all. Maybe a glass of something on arrival if you feel the need but other than that don't worry.

[wobblywonderwoman]

That is perfect op! Generous actually. We had two glasses of wine per person

[trevortrevorslattery]

If there was even one free drink in the evening I would be very pleasantly surprised - I would definitely not bat an eyelid at paying for all my own drinks.

[webSocket]

If you can't afford a free bar then don't have one whatsoever.

It will get too complicated.

I enjoy a free bar but don't think any the less of anyone if it's a cash bar instead. That's as long as the prices are reasonable. I did judge the couple where a glass of house red was £7 and the cheeky fuckers were passing on the cost of a nice venue to the guests.

End your outgoings after the meal / toasts and relax.

[Jenniferb21]

I wouldn't expect anything for the evenings I've always paid for drinks at weddings in the evenings and for my wedding I had some paid for in the day but a normal bar where guests paid at night.

Xx

[RiversrunWoodville]

Argh posted too soon! Meant to finish with I wouldn't worry op, I don't think it's expected to provide drinks for it, unless NI is different.

[ChocolateButton15]

I would expect to pay for my own drinks. Haven't been to a wedding with a free bar! I think it's normal now to get the wine with dinner and a glass of champagne to toast

[esiotrot2015]

We bought everyone their first drink , a glass of prosecco

After everyone has travelled and laid for staying the night I think it's the right thing to do

[Sittinginthesun]

I would expect to buy my own, but it's a bonus if you put some money behind the bar - maybe cover the first drink?

[AnythingGoesWithMe]

I'd expect a drink after the ceremony, a drink for the toast and some wine on the table during dinner. I don't mind paying for drinks in the evening.

[Willow2017]

I think a complementary drink available on arrival then pay for your own

Wouldnt expect free drinks people would literally take the p and order stuff they eouldnt pay for themselves!

[hickorydickorynurseryrhyme]

Yes

[PurpleMinionMummy]

I wouldn't expect any to be covered and have never been to a wedding where the bride and groom gave a free bar.

There's a whole host of mumsnetters who think its exceptionally rude to not pay for the whole evening bar though.....just to warn you!

[user1483387154]

I would expect to pay for my drinks especially in the evening. However it is nice when the bride and groom are able to provide arrival drink, toast drink plus some wine for during the meal.

[TizzyDongue]

Just about all weddings I've been to are:

Wine provided with meal - free
One drink of choice or a glass of champagne/ fizzy for toasts - free
Other other drinks bought by me

[TizzyDongue]

Oh yes some sort of free drink on arrival at reception. Forgot that one!!

[PinkDaffodil2]

I wouldn't expect free drinks at all at the evening do, however I've been pleasantly surprised a couple of times when there was some money behind the bar - never the whole evening, but enough to cover people's first drink. Not necessary though x

[bloodyteenagers]

Decent buffet and a glass of something on arrival. The bar I used were happy for us to take in bottles of fizz for the first drink. They were more than happy to trust that the guests would drink the bar dry. We didn't take the piss and they even helped work out how many bottles would need for everyone to have a glass.

[ScarlettFreestone]

My experience is generally a glass of champagne on arrival, a tea or coffee with the evening buffet and a paid bar for everything else.

[JakeBallardswife]

How about free soft drinks and pay for alcohol, up to whatever limit you find is easiest?