How to Save Money on Alcohol for a Wedding

Planning a wedding involves juggling many budgeting details, and one of the biggest expenses when it comes to the reception can be alcohol. To keep your budget under control, you're probably wondering how to save money on alcohol for a wedding. With creative planning and expert tips, it's possible to keep your bar budget in check and save money on your wedding day without sacrificing quality.

If you're looking to save money on bar services, The Knot Vendor Marketplace offers a range of options. Simply enter your location and filter by "bar and drinks" to explore bartenders, specialty cocktails and pricing options that fit your budget. Use The Knot Budget Tool to learn more about wedding budgets/costs in your local area. In the meantime, here's how experts recommend you manage wedding alcohol costs, from choosing a beer-and-wine-only bar to opting for BYOB.

1. Limit the Bar Offerings to Beer and Wine

Opting for a beer-and-wine-only bar is one of the easiest ways to reduce the cost of alcohol for a wedding. Ellie Durbin, founder and planner at The Aisle Assistant, explains that couples can save significantly by skipping a full bar. "Usually, a beer and wine bar is less expensive than a full bar, and guests are usually perfectly happy as long as someone else is picking up the tab," she shares.

However, consider the crowd's expectations. Carin Hunt, a wedding specialist at Coconut Palm Inn in The Florida Keys, notes that while beer and wine help keep costs friendly, "a beer and wine bar may disappoint if your guests are excited to let loose all night." But by featuring high-quality wines and local craft beers, you can still make it special without a large price tag. Calculate exactly how much you'll need by using a wedding alcohol calculator.

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2. Take Advantage of BYOB Options

Some venues allow couples to bring their own alcohol, which can result in significant savings. Durbin highlights the advantages: "Bringing your own alcohol allows for cost savings and lets couples customize their drink offerings." Many liquor stores allow you to return unopened bottles, which means you can buy liquor in bulk for your wedding without worry and return what's not used, keeping costs down and waste minimal.

Hunt agrees, adding that BYOB weddings open the door for unique offerings. "You can work with local juice shops, wineries, distilleries and breweries to create special sips that guests will love." However, she advises couples to have a plan for transporting and storing the alcohol, especially if the venue has limited storage space or requires that alcohol be delivered and removed the same day.

3. Opt for a Consumption Bar for Smaller or Non-Drinking Crowds

A consumption-based bar, where you pay per drink ordered rather than a flat fee, can be an effective cost-saving option for couples with smaller or mostly non-drinking guest lists. "In instances where a large portion of the guest list doesn't drink, a consumption bar can be a big savings," Durbin explains. However, she cautions that this wedding bar idea isn't for everyone, as it's essential to remember you'll be billed for all ordered drinks, even if they aren't finished.

4. Shorten the Bar Service Time

Reducing the time the bar is open can cut costs significantly. "Some venues allow hosts to close the bar for 30 minutes during transitions, like from cocktail hour to dinner or for the last 30 minutes of the reception," Durbin says. This can trim an hour from the bar service and still provide a full experience for your guests.

Hunt points out that guests tend to drink the most in the first hour of the reception and then taper off, with an average of one drink per guest per hour after that. By doing "bar math," as she puts it, couples can determine how much product they need based on these patterns and adjust accordingly.

5. Consider a Limited Open Bar with Specific Drink Options

For couples who want an open bar without the hefty price tag, offering a limited menu is a smart middle ground. Durbin advises limiting the bar to beer, wine, and perhaps one or two wedding signature drinks or selecting a lower-tier liquor brand for spirits. If your venue charges by consumption set a cap on the bar tab. Many venues allow you to cap the bar when the tab reaches a certain dollar amount, so you avoid a high open bar wedding cost.

6. Keep Signature Cocktails Simple

Elaborate cocktails with multiple ingredients or top-shelf liquor can drive up the price. "When in doubt, keep it simple," Durbin says. The more ingredients, the higher the costs for both labor and service. For low-cost cocktails, choose recipes that use accessible ingredients and don't require extensive prep time.

7. Buy from Sellers with Flexible Return Policies

Both Durbin and Hunt emphasize the importance of sourcing alcohol from vendors that allow returns on unopened bottles. This flexibility allows you to buy more than you expect to need, so you don't risk running out but still save by returning extras.

With these expert-backed strategies on how to save money on alcohol for a wedding, you can cut down on costs without sacrificing a memorable celebration for you and your guests. Explore options for bar services on The Knot Vendor Marketplace to find professionals who can help make your dream wedding bar affordable and exceptional.