views on putting money behind the bar

Personally I never expect any free drinks at a wedding. I know how much they cost! So anything at all is a bonus! We're not putting any money behind the bar as we just can't afford it. So if you are even going to give everyone one drink, I'm sure they'll be really pleased.

That said, as I said before, I don't think anyone expects a free bar - certainly not at the moment, so you may want to think about saving that money for something else? Just a thought.

My Dad has decided that he wants to pay for everybody's first drink. We're going to send the ushers round while everybody's still sat at the tabels to take drinks orders, as Dad is paranoid that he will get exploited by the bar staff if he just puts a set amount behind the bar!

This way we know that everybody will get a drink as well, rather than some people getting several and some getting none.

I don't think anybody would have any problem with only getting one or two free drinks.

You need to make a decision first before you put the money on a bar because you don't know when they would stop to drink and there would some still wanna like to drink.so you just need to put some limits on it.

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We put 2 drinks vouchers on each guests' plate saying 'have a drink on us' or something like that.

We asked the bar staff to use them for a single spirit and mixer, glass of wine, soft drink or beer - that way we knew no-one could take the pee by ordering triples etc. It also meant that every guest had the same to drink.

It worried me that with a set amount of money behind the bar, some guests would order more than others leaving some without a drink IYSWIM?

My dad is thinking of doing the same, so that evening guests get at least one free drink like the rest of our day guests got. i thought a token system might work, but then my sister said that would be like a tacky club...! so am still thinking.

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We thought about the idea of putting money behind the bar but thought it could potentially be unfair as some people will suss before others and get 3 drinks whilst others would only get 1. Instead we gave the bar instructions that my dad and FIL could have a tab and therefore they would "buy" everyone a drink. Dad looking after my side, FIL making sure everyone else got a drink.

After we knew everyone had had at least 1 drink we spoke to the bar and then opened it up for another 45 minutes.

We couldn't afford to buy everyone their first drink, with the wedding package we are having everyone gets 2 glasses of wine (need to speak to the events manager about what who gets what if they don't drink wine) so I personally think that is enough.

This is what we did and it worked really well.

We will be giving everybody a drinks token (thinking of putting them in a tiny envelope then this would double up as their placecard?), again will tell the bar that it is for single measures only, 1 beer etc, I'm sure nobody would take the p!$$, but I'd expect to pay no more than around the £250 mark for 65 guests.

We are not putting any money into a drink for any of our guests as we simply cant afford it. Even the day guests are just being fed. TBH most people ive spoken to aren't fussed and i wouldnt be offended if i was expected to buy my own drinks x

We can supply our own booze for the evening (with no corkage charge) if we want. We would need to pay for the bar staff though. I really wanted to do this at first - thought we could do a booze cruise and just supply a limited drinks list (beer, wine, G&T etc).

OH thinks this would just be another big thing we need to sort out and we should go with the pay bar option as no-one expects free drinks in the evening. We wouldn't need to pay for the bar staff also then. Plus they say the prices are local country pub prices too so hopefully won't be too pricey for the guests.

Still toying with the idea of the beer and wine being free or by giving certain people 'free passes' (best man etc) as an extra thank you!

I've been to loads of weddings and only one which was a free evening bar (just beer, wine and soft drinks). I'm usually feeling pretty 'happy' after the champers and wine with the meal so I don't tend to need much in the evening anyway!

I wouldn't provide drinks in the evening, I have never been to a wedding where there was a free bar

Hello, We're not putting money behind the bar as paying for all the drinks during the day - the evening guests will need to pay for their drinks and so will day guests after the breakfast. I think sometimes it can be dangerous putting a set amount of money as like some others say, some people might suss and take advantage. I love the idea of drinks tokens and this seems the fairest way of ensuring everyone has a free drink. I've been to so many weddings where I've paid for my own drinks and I think this is the 'norm' now. When there has been free drinks people just order them and leave them half drunk before getting another. I'd personally go for the token/voucher idea and it's a lovely gesture. HTH

I have never been to a wedding with a free bar and there is no way we could afford to have one - I know how much all the guests like a dram!

We are having prosecco after the ceremony about2/3 glasses then another glass for the toasts. The venue staff will also go round with wine during the meal.

I don't think anyone I know would expect a free bar, especially not those who are married and know the cost of everything.

I'm not keen on the free bar but h2b wants it so we're having it between the first dance and midnight. There will be limitations though such as no doubles, no whole bottles of wine, no cigars etc unless any of this is ordered by me, h2b or his parents (who are paying the bar bill).

We're not, as the day guests will have all they need with their meal and we can't afford it for the evening!! I was at a wedding party last year where the bride and groom had got married in Las Vegas. They gave out poker chips as drink tokens which fitted in with the evening quite well.

We are having a free bar - most of our guests will have come a long was and paid out to stay over that evening so we want to buy them a drink too.

I can understand why people don't do it though as it is expensive, the drinks 'tokens' are a great idea if you can't afford it all night too.