wedding food/beverage package?

Question

I'd like to gather some opinions. I have two options that are the exact same price. As a guest, which would you prefer:

Option 1: 2 cold hors d'ourves, 2 entree buffet, veggies & potato (no choice on sides). Full open bar.

Option 2: 4 hors d'ourves (2hot+2cold), 3 entree buffet, 3 sides (lotsa choices, would probably choose pasta, veggie, potato). Beer & Wine..

All other components of the packages are the same: champagne toast, plated salad, cake, coffee/tea, soda. With option 2, I can choose to offer mixed drinks as cash bar if I want (don't have to, but it is an available option).

I think I'm leaning towards Option 2 because I want to offer the most food and best variety and it is a handful of our family who are even 'big drinkers'. I also like Option 2 because 80% of the guests are travelling to the wedding and staying at an area hotel overnight and I would rather not have even buzzed people driving in unfamiliar territory (regardless of the fact that reception is less than 2 miles from hotel) so beer & wine only tends to curb excessive drinking. My family has a few relatives that if the booze is free would get as absolutely blasted as they could simply because they aren't paying for it (sad but true).

What do you think? Option 2 ok?
How do you feel about the cash bar for mixed drinks - offer it or skip it and stick to just what I'm hosting?

Answer 1

Option TWO all the way! Perfect! Congratulations & best wishes for a long, happy & healthful marriage!

Answer 2

I would go for option two and leave it as the standard with only beer, wine and softdrink offered.



This way there is a little more food and everyone has an option of something to drink without either putting you out of pocket or putting people on the floor!



Where i am this is a standard drinks package and you don't need to open the spirits to have a good time unless you have a serious problem

Answer 3

Option 2 is a great compromise. Most people are happy to drink whatever is free - and you get a much better food selection. I haven't' been to a wedding lately that included an open bar. The most I got was an hour of beer/wine then cash bar. Option 2 sounds like the better deal...

Answer 4

Option 2 is fine! As long as you're providing some sort of free alcohol such as beer and wine, that's fine. You're right- it's probably best that your guests don't get all sloshed on free hard liquor. Beer and wine is much less risky. Also, a buffet with only a couple options is kind of lame. Definitely go with the one that has more choices. Good luck!

Answer 5

Skip the cash bar.



I think you would be fine with the beer and wine. I really think that either option 1 or 2 would work well.



Option 2 does give the most choices as far as food is concerned and even picky eaters will be able to find something.

Answer 6

Option 2. It sounds great. And you know what? Only cheap and petty people have a problem with a cash bar. I've been to both types of weddings, and I don't see anything wrong with it. You're offering beer and wine with Option 2. If people are just looking for a free drunk, let them get it there.



Congrats on your engagement.

Answer 7

I'd be fine with either option but I'd lean more towards option 2. I was MOH in a wedding a couple of weeks ago and they had just beer and wine. Nobody complained (except the grooms sister but she complains about everything!). I think it is okay to skip the mixed drinks.

Answer 8

Option 2 and NO cash bar most people will be drinking beer and wine anyway. I had a full bar and I think I am the only one that had mixed drinks and that is because I hate both beer and wine. I am a sissy mixed drink girl :)

Answer 9

Option 2 is great because it offers more variety and beer and wine. As for the cash bar, I would nix the idea. I say this because you are already offering wine and beer AND because cash bars always become the thing that people whisper about and not too fondly.

Answer 10

I would greatly prefer option 2 were I a guest at your wedding. I would skip the cash part part, though. Any guest could be happy with an array of soft drinks or beer. More of your guests will appreciate the variety of food over a variety of cocktails.

Answer 11

I think that option 2 would be extremely nice. You can offer a cash bar if you want, but honestly beer and wine is plenty.

Answer 12

I like option 2 the best, more food choices the better.



I also like just the beer & wine package only.

Answer 13

I think option 2 is very generous--and a cash bar is just fine--you don't want an open bar (especially if you have big drinkers!!) because you are talking some major money in the alcohol portion--you'd be surprised! Congratulations & good luck~~

Answer 14

Option 2



No cash bar. Beer and wine is just fine. Cash bars are alwys the "whisper" of the guests. Last wedding that I attended, everyone complained about the cash bar, specially after already gifting generously. We spent $175 dollars on drinks that night. They were expensive! They may not say it to your face, but people will talk about how tacky it was.



Good luck

Answer 15

I like option two as well. Skip the cash bar-they are tacky for a wedding. Beer and wine are perfect.



It sounds really lovely. Best wishes!

Answer 16

I would go with option 2. My wedding was an outdoor wedding in a park and so we couldn't even serve "liquor" all we had was beer and wine and everything went fine, and no one could get too drunk. :-)

Answer 17

OPTION TWO because you have a lot of choices to choose from on the three sides. Got you monies worth by getting the most food.

Answer 18

option 2 , you could on the RSVP card or somewhere with the invites what the drink options are and state cash bar for anything else and let everyone tell you if they are interested then let the caterer know based on that.

Answer 19

I think it is particularly classy to offer a "free" option and then have a cash bar for those who don't like what you offer. That gives them the option to do what they wish.

I think I would DEF go with option number 2 and have a cash bar!

Answer 20

Def option 1....cash bars are disgustingly tacky.

Answer 21

Option 2 is best.



My vote is cash bar is tacky. Why ask people to come to a party you are hosting, and then require that they pay?



Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 22

i would choose option 2..you should never make you guest pay for drinks.. most people don't bring cash to wedding anyways..

Answer 23

if you and your fiance aren't heavy drinkers, opt for the cash bar. i would pick option 2 b/c of the food choices and if your relatives are heavy drinkers, you aren't paying for it.

Answer 24

option two is def ok. i think it sounds much nicer to have the bigger food variety

Answer 25

Don't do a cash bar it will be the only thing people remember. And not fondly. It is tacky.