George Boyle
It is not uncommon for wedding guests to suspect that their drinks have been watered down by the venue. While some venues may do this to cut costs or limit alcohol consumption, it is generally considered deceitful and a rip-off for the couple and guests. Wedding hosts often worry about running out of alcohol and may overbuy to avoid this, leading to leftovers. Budget is a key consideration when planning wedding drinks, with open bars being the most expensive option. Hosts may opt for limited, cash, or non-alcoholic bars to manage costs. Other factors influencing drink choices include guest preferences, wedding style, and season. Ultimately, the decision to serve alcohol and the type of bar offered is up to the couple, who should also consider their guests' safety and comfort.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for watering down alcohol | Cost-saving |
| Who waters down alcohol | Bartender or venue |
| Drinks that are watered down | Whiskey sours, Screwdrivers, Gin and tonic |
| Venue rules | No shots allowed |
| Guest experience | Guests notice that their drinks are weak |
| Venue suggestions | Use a wedding drink calculator to plan how much alcohol to serve |
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What You'll Learn
Watering down alcohol to save costs
Watering down alcohol is a common practice at weddings, with some venues doing it to cut costs or limit alcohol consumption. While it is deceitful, it is also a practical way to ensure that guests do not get too drunk and create a scene. However, it can lead to guest dissatisfaction if they feel they are not getting their money's worth.
Wedding venues may water down alcohol to save costs, especially if they are running low on supply or trying to meet a minimum spending requirement. This practice is generally considered deceitful and can leave a negative impression on guests, who often notice when their drinks are watered down. In some cases, guests have reported drinking a significant amount without feeling any effects, indicating that the alcohol was likely diluted.
One way to save costs without watering down alcohol is to offer a limited selection of drinks. This can include opting for beer and wine only, which is more budget-friendly than hard liquor. Couples can also choose to have a cash bar, where guests pay for their drinks, or provide a limited open bar with specific drink options. Another option is to work with the venue to bring your own alcohol, although this may incur a corkage fee.
To avoid overbuying, couples can use wedding drink calculators to estimate how much alcohol is needed based on the wedding size, duration, and expected consumption. They can also buy alcohol on a "sale or return if unopened" basis to ensure they don't run out while minimizing waste. Planning the wedding drink menu based on the season and guest preferences can also help optimize the alcohol budget.
While watering down alcohol may be a cost-saving measure, it is essential to prioritize guest satisfaction and transparency. Couples should communicate their expectations clearly to the venue and bartending staff to ensure that drinks are not excessively diluted. Ultimately, the decision to water down alcohol should be made with ethical considerations in mind, balancing cost savings with the guest experience.
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Venues may refuse to serve shots
It is not uncommon for wedding venues to refuse to serve shots. Some venues may even have a strict "NO SHOTS" policy, as mentioned in one user's contract. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as cost-saving or to prevent guests from getting too intoxicated, especially when the venue is charging per bottle.
Venues may also have their own rules and regulations regarding alcohol service, which could include a no-shots policy. Additionally, certain locations may have laws prohibiting the serving of shots at weddings, as one user mentioned about Chicago.
Another reason venues may refuse to serve shots is to avoid over-intoxication, which can lead to unwanted drama or scenes at the wedding. In such cases, venues might opt to serve weaker drinks or even non-alcoholic versions of drinks to guests who appear to be heavily intoxicated. This tactic is also used to stretch the alcohol supply and avoid running out, which can be a common concern for wedding hosts.
While some venues may refuse to serve shots, others might allow it but with certain conditions or restrictions. For example, they may require a minimum spend or include it as an add-on service. It is essential to communicate with your venue coordinator to understand their policies and make informed decisions about your wedding bar.
To ensure your guests have a good time without getting too intoxicated, consider other creative options besides shots. You could offer signature cocktails, a whisky tasting, tequila shots, or mini-bottles of champagne. Ultimately, the decision to serve shots or not is up to the venue and the couple's preferences, but it is crucial to prioritize the comfort and safety of your guests.
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Venues may serve less alcohol to drunk guests
While it is deceitful for a wedding venue to water down alcohol, it is not uncommon. Some venues may do this to cut costs, especially if they are low on supply, or to prevent drunk guests from causing a scene.
One way to avoid watered-down drinks is to contract bartenders through reception management, rather than having drinks prepared by waiters. Another option is to ask the venue to specifically not water down drinks, as guests will notice.
It is important to consider how much alcohol to serve at a wedding, as it can be expensive and there is a risk of guests getting too drunk. Wedding planners say that 90% of drama at a wedding involves alcohol. It is recommended to serve only beer and wine, as it is more budget-friendly, and to provide a limited selection to cut costs and speed up service.
To avoid running out of alcohol, it is suggested to order 10-15% more than needed and to buy on a "sale or return if unopened" basis. However, this can lead to a lot of leftovers, which can be inconvenient to deal with the day after the wedding. It is also important to consider the wedding date, as guests may prefer different drinks in the summer than in the winter.
In summary, while it is not acceptable for wedding venues to water down alcohol, there are strategies to manage alcohol service and costs that can help ensure a smooth and enjoyable event for all.
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Open bars are expensive
Open bars are the most expensive option for wedding drinks. There are several ways to reduce the cost of an open bar. Firstly, consider the wedding date. For example, in the summer, most people will opt for white wine, champagne, or light beers, whereas in the winter, more people will drink red wine or darker beers. You can also consider your audience: for an Irish wedding, Guinness might be the drink of choice, whereas for a wedding in the West Country, cider could be popular.
Another way to reduce costs is to limit the drinks selection. For daytime or lunchtime weddings, a wine and beer bar is usually sufficient. You can also save money by not serving hard liquor, which most weddings don't do. Instead, you can serve beer and wine only, with a couple of choices for each type of drink. This is the most budget-friendly option.
You can also save money by buying your alcohol on a "sale or return if unopened" basis. If your venue allows you to bring your own alcohol, check if they charge a corkage fee so you can incorporate this into your budget. You should also consider how much alcohol to buy. It's common to worry about running out of alcohol, so you might buy too much. However, this means you'll have to deal with leftover alcohol the day after your wedding. Wedding planners often say that 90% of drama at a wedding involves alcohol, so it's important to consider how much your guests are likely to drink.
If you're worried about the cost of an open bar, there are other options. A cash bar, where guests pay for their own drinks, can be a good option on a tight budget. Limited bars, where only certain drinks are served, can also help to reduce costs.
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How much alcohol to serve
It's difficult to calculate exactly how much alcohol you'll need for your wedding without factoring in the location, time of year, preferences, service style, and so on. However, there are some general guidelines you can follow.
Firstly, decide what type of alcohol you'll be offering your guests. Will they have the option of wine, liquor, and beer, or just wine and beer? If you're serving cocktails, you can offer two to three signature cocktails, but don't offer too much variety when it comes to spirits. Vodka, bourbon, tequila, gin, or rum are adequate offerings.
Next, you'll need to know how many guests will be attending the event who are of drinking age. If there are certain people attending who you know are non-drinkers, you can subtract them from the list. As a general rule of thumb, assume that each guest will have at least one alcoholic drink per hour. According to retailers like BevMo! and Total Wine & More, plan on two drinks the first hour and one drink for each additional hour of the event.
If you're serving wine, a standard 750ml bottle serves 5-6 glasses, and it's recommended that at least a third of your beverages be made up of wine. If you're serving beer, it typically comes in 12 oz bottles at 30 bottles a case, though some come in 24 packs. If you have a crowd that likes beer, you may wish to provide 1.5-2 beers per person.
For liquor, a safe estimate is to take 20-30% of your adult guest list along with the rule of two drinks in the first hour and one drink per hour after to come up with an estimate of how many bottles of liquor to buy. 1.5 oz is the standard shot size, so depending on the bottle sizes you purchase, you can determine how many cocktails each bottle will make.
Don't forget to include the costs of mixers (sodas, cranberry and other juices, soda water, etc.) and garnishes (lemons, limes, etc.). You'll also need extra mixers on hand for guests who aren't drinking alcohol but would like a soda or juice.
Finally, keep in mind that the longer your party lasts, the more alcohol you will need. If it's a daytime event, you probably won't need as much alcohol as you would for an evening affair. If it's summer, you might want to order more white and rosé than red wine, and the reverse if it's winter.
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Frequently asked questions
While it does happen, it is not normal and is considered deceitful.
Some venues do it to cut costs or limit alcohol consumption, especially if the couple is paying for an open bar.
If you've had a few drinks and don't feel any effects, the drinks may be watered down.
You can ask the venue or bartender about it, but they may not listen.
Be clear and specific about your alcohol requirements with the venue and bartender. Consider providing your own alcohol or hiring an external licensed bartender if allowed.
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