AIBU to not provide a free bar at our wedding?

[Gettingmarried27eek]

I'm getting married next year. Just wanted to hear your thoughts on whether you'd expect a free bar at the venue?

I've been to many weddings over the years, some have a free bar, most don't. I'm not a huge drinker so am always happy to buy my own at weddings.

We do have wine at the tables to have with the meal and champagne for the toasts.

Does this seem reasonable? Many thanks all!

I don’t think anyone expects a free bar these days OP unless this is common in your circles. We just had bottles of wine on the tables for the wedding breakfast, something fizzy for the toasts and a welcome drink. You can always put a set amount behind the bar and once it’s gone it’s gone if you really want to.

Completely normal I'd never expect a wedding to have an open bar, drinks on the tables/ with the toast and sometimes a welcome drink is the norm for all the weddings I've been to.

I’ve never been to a wedding with a free bar. You always have those who go over the top if they know it’s a free bar.

stick with wine on the tables and a toast and welcome drink. that’s what the vast majority of people have at weddings

I don't think free bars are standard, certainly not in the weddings I've been to.

I wouldn't expect a free bar - the last one I can remember was in a village hall so it didn't have a bar as such.
At our wedding we had an arrival drink, wine on the table with meal and then a glass of champagne for toasts etc.

Free bar only if everyone's travelling. Otherwise no.

Wouldn't expect free bar, butI would hope for alternative to wine. I react to many badly (digestive)

No, I definitely wouldn’t expect a free bar.

I had a free bar only because my mum was insistent and she was paying for it!! Otherwise most of the weddings I’ve been to you pay for your own drinks.

No never a free bar, it’s really cheeky to expect one, someone just said if traveling, like they’ve to be paid to attend as they are so important and doing you a favour.

its an invite not a summons.

so bubbles before the main meal, wine with it, then people buy their own.

I’m going against the majority. I would assume a free bar. I don’t remember going to any weddings where you had to pay for drinks.

Really? You must have some incredibly wealthy friends.

Well you move in wealthy circles then. I can only remember one wedding with a free bar and that wedding was in a marquee and caterers were used for the food. Every wedding I've been to has had welcome drinks, red and white wine plus water at the table and coffee afterwards. Anything else guests buy at the bar.

Just been to a wedding, drinks at start of reception provided - champagne, bottled beer or a softdrink, then plenty of wine on the table, a cordial too, alongside a glass of champagne for the toast. Free bar not expected, but would have loved a free tea or coffee station.

I’ve never experienced a free bar at a wedding and would have no expectations.

Only spend what you can afford. A wedding is over in a day but debt can last years.

If there wine on the tables, I wouldn’t expect a free bar.

As long as there is a welcome drink, a toast and wine at the tables it’s fine.

Uk? Not expected. And my experience is people are wasteful (abandoning drinks etc).

A nice soft drink as well as table wine is appreciated.

Last wedding I was at there was free fizz passed around, buckets of bottled beer and wine with dinner. Everything else was paid for and I think that’s pretty common.

I went to a wedding years ago with a free bar until the meal, they hardly told anyone so only the brides inner circle made use of it and the rest of us were paying at the other main bar.

Brilliant thank you ladies, I am of the same (majority) opinion. But just wanted to check I wasn't being unreasonable, I wouldn't want the guests to feel put out!

It is local to everyone we are inviting so no huge travelling for anyone. Some will be staying over in the hotel afterwards too.

Unless you are extremely wealthy then no free bar.

Your plan seems very normal to me but maybe add a welcome drink especially if there is a gap between ceremony and dinner ( taking photos etc)
Have a brilliant day.

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Oh yes sorry I should have said there is a welcome drink too, also tea and coffees provided.

Thank you that's very kind!

Yes, that is more than reasonable.

Could someone tell me how to get rid of unwanted gifs please!?