Edward Underwood Photography
Some venues allow you to bring in your own alcohol when hosting an event. This of course feels like a great deal, and it can be, but there are a few things anyone should know before signing up to provide their own bar. First of all, communication with your caterer is key. What are they providing vs. what are you providing? You also want to keep in mind that while it seems like a great way to save you money, consider your time as valuable too. The more you can delegate on your wedding day the better. The less items you are bringing in yourself, have to take home, have to remember the better!
A great way to provide your own alcohol without actually going to the store and buying everything you need and dropping it off is to find a beverage provider or even liquor store who will deliver. Key to this scenario is working with them on exactly how much you will need of everything. The worst possible thing that can happen at your wedding is running out of alcohol (in my opinion)! So you want to work closely with someone who understand how many drinks are needed per person per hour. The second thing to discuss with someone who is going to deliver for you is negotiating that they pick up any unopened bottles and give you a refund on them. This is not uncommon, places like Ace Beverage or Schneider’s of Capitol Hill will do this for you.
Even if you are having your liquor delivered and picked up, you are only half way there, there are many other components to the bar you must consider:
1. Who is providing the bartender and how many do you need?
2. Who is providing the garnishes and what kinds do you need to go with what you are serving?
3. Who is providing ice? You need ice to keep beverages cold and ice to put into the drinks
4. Who is providing the bins for ice? You have to have something to put the ice in behind the bar
5. Who is providing mixers and what kind?
6. Who is providing the glassware and what kind?
7. Who is providing the cocktail napkins?
8. Don’t forget you need linens for the bars
9. You will need garbage and recycling behind the bars
10. Is the bartender licensed and if not, who needs to acquire a liquor license?
All of this should be discussed with your caterer, who can help provide any of the additional items you need, even if they are not providing the alcohol. Also work with your venue on what they can provide. Again, the less you have to bring in yourself the better for everyone. By all means I encourage any way to save yourself some money, just be prepared that rarely is anything all inclusive and you must consider all of the additional logistics as vendors will only provide exactly what they are instructed to provide, nothing more, nothing less.
