The Ultimate Guide To Open Bar Duration For Wedding Receptions

The length of an open bar at a wedding depends on the venue, package and personal preferences. Some venues offer 4-hour bar packages, with the option to close the bar for a half hour during dinner and an hour before the end of the reception. Others offer 5-hour packages, with some venues keeping the bar open until the end of the reception. Some couples opt for 3 hours of open bar, followed by 2 hours of consumption.

Bar hours

The length of an open bar at a wedding depends on logistical factors throughout the reception's itinerary. Common courtesy dictates that guests should not be expected to pay for their drinks. Serving within your means for the entirety of your reception is preferred by wedding guests over an open bar that shifts to a cash bar later on.

The standard open bar is four hours long and some venues allow you to add a fifth hour. Closing the bar during dinner is common as long as red and white wines are on the tables. Other than that, the bar should not close before the night is over - maybe 15 minutes early so that drinks don't get wasted.

At some venues, the bar closes for a half hour during dinner and then a half hour before the end of the night. At others, the bar closes when the reception is over. One source suggests that the bar should not close before the night is over - maybe 15 minutes early so that drinks don't get wasted.

One source suggests that 3 hours of open bar is ideal, with the last 2 hours of consumption. Another source suggests that the bar is open until the end of the reception. Another source suggests that the bar should not close before the night is over - maybe 15 minutes early so that drinks don't get wasted.

One source suggests that the bar is open from 3 pm to 8 pm on the day of the wedding. Another source suggests that the bar is open from 3 pm to 8 pm on the day of the wedding. Another source suggests that the bar is open from 3 pm to 8 pm on the day of the wedding.

Bar package

The length of an open bar for a wedding depends on logistical factors throughout the reception's itinerary. The standard open bar is four hours long and some venues allow you to add a fifth hour. Common courtesy dictates that guests should not be expected to pay for their drinks.

The bar package is very common to close for a half hour during dinner and then a half hour before the end of the night. Some venues when the bar closes the reception is over. Others only allow 5 hours max: the cocktail hour, 1st hour of dinner, and then once the dancing starts until it ends.

Some venues set the hours for the open bar. Others allow you to add a fifth hour and extend it to 5 hours. Others suggest doing 3 hours open bar and then the last 2 hours of consumption.

The length of your open bar depends on logistical factors throughout the reception's itinerary. Common courtesy dictates that guests should not be expected to pay for their drinks.

The bar package is very common to close for a half hour during dinner and then a half hour before the end of the night. Some venues when the bar closes the reception is over. Others only allow 5 hours max: the cocktail hour, 1st hour of dinner, and then once the dancing starts until it ends.

Some venues set the hours for the open bar. Others allow you to add a fifth hour and extend it to 5 hours. Others suggest doing 3 hours open bar and then the last 2 hours of consumption.

Bar close

The length of an open bar at a wedding depends on logistical factors throughout the reception's itinerary. Common courtesy dictates that guests should not be expected to pay for their drinks. Serving within your means for the entirety of your reception is preferred by wedding guests over an open bar that shifts to a cash bar later on. The standard open bar is four hours long and some venues allow you to add a fifth hour. The bar should not close before the night is over, maybe 15 minutes early so that drinks don't get wasted. At some venues, the bar closes when the reception is over. The bar can be closed during dinner as long as there are red and white wines on the tables. Some venues have a 4-hour bar package, but they allow you to close it for a half hour during dinner and then a half hour before the end of the night. Others keep the bar open until the end. The length of the open bar can be extended if there is extra money to spend.

Bar cost

The length of an open bar at a wedding depends on logistical factors throughout the reception's itinerary. The standard open bar is four hours long and some venues allow you to add a fifth hour. It is common to close the bar for a half hour during dinner and then a half hour before the end of the night.

The cost of the bar is set by the venue and depends on the length of the open bar. Some venues have a 4-hour bar package and others have a 5-hour bar package. Some venues also have a set amount that you put toward the open bar and if you go over, you are billed later.

The cost of the bar also depends on the type of drinks that are served. Common courtesy dictates that guests should not be expected to pay for their drinks. Serving within your means for the entirety of your reception is preferred by wedding guests over an open bar that shifts to a cash bar later on.

The length of the open bar also depends on the number of guests and the type of reception. Some venues have a set amount that you put toward the open bar and if you go over, you are billed later.

The cost of the bar also depends on the type of drinks that are served. Common courtesy dictates that guests should not be expected to pay for their drinks. Serving within your means for the entirety of your reception is preferred by wedding guests over an open bar that shifts to a cash bar later on.

Bar extension

The length of an open bar at a wedding depends on logistical factors throughout the reception's itinerary. The standard open bar is four hours long and some venues allow you to add a fifth hour. However, it is common to close the bar for a half hour during dinner and then a half hour before the end of the night.

The bar should not close before the night is over - maybe 15 minutes early so that drinks don't get wasted. Common courtesy dictates that guests should not be expected to pay for their drinks. Serving within your means for the entirety of your reception, whether that means solely beer and wine, a single specialty cocktail or a limited variety of liquor, is preferred by wedding guests over an open bar that shifts to a cash bar later on.

The length of your open bar depends on logistical factors throughout your reception’s itinerary. At our venue, when the bar closes the reception is over. We are only allowed 5 hours max. The cocktail hour, 1st hour of dinner, and then once the dancing starts until it ends.

I have the venue for 5 hours and they have a 4 hour bar package. They said it's very common to close it for a half hour during dinner and then a half hour before the end of the night. At our venue, when the bar closes the reception is over. We are only allowed 5 hours max. The cocktail hour, 1st hour of dinner, and then once the dancing starts until it ends.

What my venue coordinator suggested was to do 3 hours open bar and then the last 2 hours of consumption. I felt 4 hours was a bit short (of course my mom thought it was too long). I still think 5 would be best.

Frequently asked questions