Do you have to serve anything but beer and wine? Do you have to have a champagne toast? Do you have to have a signature drink? Do you have to serve alcohol, if you don’t drink? FAQ’s about Wedding Alcohol Etiquette.
Well….most people expect to have something at a party – especially because they are celebrating your special moment and want to wish you well and raise a glass to YOU — the blushing bride and groom! Alcohol etiquette:
- If you don’t drink and are opposed to it – skip it but offer something gimmicky: specialty sodas or flavored waters or offer a coffee bar with all the toppings: syrups, creams, etc., instead.
- If you don’t drink (and aren’t opposed to drinking), please offer your guests the ability to celebrate.
- If you are considering a cash bar, don’t. It is your party and you invited them. If you want to offer ONE thing – when it runs out or is “gone,” make sure there is a backup (a bar that is open and serving in the building) plan.
- Sticking to beer & wine, only, definitely saves money. Simply, skip the hard stuff.
- Short Pours are legal! Fill champagne glasses 1/3 full. (Many of these will remain on the table untouched, anyway; no sense throwing away money).
- Here is an easy one that may make a big difference and very few would even KNOW the change: don’t use champagne – use bubbly wine.
- Sticking to ONE drink (a signature cocktail that means something to you and your fiancé or to the area) definitely saves money (and bartender costs).
- But, whatever you choose to pour – don’t let your guests wait in line for a drink – but use this equation: one bar and two bartenders for every 100 guests to make sure you aren’t spending too much on staff standing around. And if you do use more than one bar – put them on opposite sides of the room–in plain sight.
Wherever you get married – make SURE you are licensed to serve alcohol. In almost all instances, above, a license is needed. And if you are unsure that you need one….let ABC Consulting take this important element off of your wedding to-do list — our application is available, online, and we’ll dot your i’s and cross your t’s WITH YOU. We take the guess work out of the equation. You just worry about living Happily Ever After!
One thing you have to do, if you are serving alcohol at your wedding is make sure you are above the law. Our simplified application has been designed for you to conveniently complete, pay, and submit your One-Day Alcohol Application online for your upcoming special event. Please submit as early as possible, at the latest, applications can be submitted 7 days before your event. Our team of former Special Agents will be reviewing your application for the most common errors that result in license issuance delays and/or denied licenses. Apply for your one-day license, here. Application Processing – ABC Consulting processes any alcohol licensing for you. You can rest assured that all the documents needed for Virginia ABC approval will be reviewed by our experts before presenting the package to Virginia ABC. Our experts will find and correct any issues before submitting the application to Virginia ABC. This results in a quicker license approval. You will not be surprised to know that documents needed for approval are not always indicated on applications. We know what is needed for approval. We are also the first to know of changes in the approval process.
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