AIBU to think people will drink 1 out of 3?

[BellaOfTheBalls]

DP & I get married in May. Although the guest list is around 70 adults, the venue is fairly low key & is very much a DIY job; we have hired tableware, a caterer & small number of waiting staff for the meal etc. When it comes to alcohol a cash bar is unsuited to the venue so my parents (who are funding it) had thought they would buy beer by the barrel & several cases of good wine (white & red), alongside soft drinks, tea & coffee and allow people to help themselves. We have been to a wedding where they did this & it worked well.

However DP is concerned that this is restrictive for those who don't drink these things. While I don't disagree with him, I don't really see an alternative; I'm not going to start buying alcopops/spirits to keep the minority happy or we'll be here till kingdom come trying to please everyone. I'm also genuinely unsure how BYOB would work in this situation.

AIBU to assume that in a situation where they aren't paying for it, people will drink 1 out of the 3?

Plus, if people bring their own drinks, all the more leftover wine afterwards for you OP!

We served prosecco, red wine and beer at our wedding. We had one request for white wine and I said I could offer a spoon to knock the bubbles out

One thing I'd consider would be a posh non-alcoholic drink. We served a locally produced old-fashioned lemonade. We had coke and the usual soft drinks available but if you're buying nice wine for the drinkers I think it's nice to offer a special drink for the non-drinkers.

I think your plan sounds fine apart from the fact that if I was a guest, I would like there to be water on offer as well. Jugs or something like that.

I don't drink beer or red wine and I really don't like white wine either.

i wouldn't complain or whine about about it though.

Yes I don't drink beer or wine but I'd be to hear I could bring my own vodka.

Its very similar to what we did - we also had jugs of pimms.

I don't think I've been to a marquee wedding where there was anything other than what you're offering to be honest.

We had a similar situation at our wedding. We put a little note in with the invitations explaining that there was no bar but there would be beer/wine/some spirits available and if there was something specific that they preferred to drink they were very welcome to bring their own. Most people brought something along and it all kind of got thrown in together with everything we'd provided - there was definitely no shortage! :)

Wine, Beer, Soft drinks and mineral water is perfectly adequate and gives plenty of choice.

You don't want to encourage people to neck half a bottle of spirits, do you? Not (1) at your wedding or (2) at your expense.

I know a few people who can be relied on to take advantage of a free bar.

all sounds lovely and very generous - I have never been to a wedding with a free bar. When I got married we had champagne on arrival and for the toast, wine and soft drinks during the meal and that was it.
Can't imagine anyone would be so ungracious to complain.

It all sounds fine and very generous. Apart from toasts I don't generally drink much at weddings anyway.

I do like to have a glass of water at hand though.

We had the same as you, except I can't remember exactly what the soft drinks were. I agree that people will be so pleased that they don't have to pay for the drinks, that they won't mind.

Sounds good to me.

Perhaps email the drinks menu and if people want to bring there favourite tipple it's up to them