Wedding Planning Tips

I got married recently, we didn’t do a traditional sit down meal, but we had a late wedding ceremony at a hotel, followed by drinks/canapes in hotel gardens whilst the pictures were going on, followed by a big party with a buffett – that is what we wanted as we didn’t want a really formal occassion, we still decorated the room really nicely and had nice food and we had a free bar at the party from 6:30pm-12:30pm which came to £5,000 (we had 100 guests).
The photo part of our wedding only lasted 1 hour, so guests got 2 welcome drinks in that hour and then at 6:30pm we went into the party room and they got free drinks all night.
I met my ‘friend’ (thought so anyway) yesterday for a coffee, and she made a comment on how after the welcome drinks they went to the bar (not free at that point – we asked for that not to start until 6:30) and they had to pay for a drink, she seemed a bit put out by it, and asked was it supposed to be free. I spoke to another ‘friend’ and she said pretty much the same kind of comment! At one of their weddings, yes the welcome drinks kept coming but we were outside for much longer, but the bar was only free until 10pm and then we all had to pay – I didn’t make any comments about that as I don’t think it matters. It’s made me feel now like I should of done a free bar after the welcome drinks – but I honestly thought that 2 drinks in one hour would be substantial. I have never been to a wedding where the bar was free all night – so I think that was pretty generous? I know I cannot go back in time now and change it – but it had made me want to do so?
Do you think I was wrong in my judgement or do you think that that was enough free booze to go round? I feel like if I had done free drinks all day and then let the bar money run out in the evening – noone would of complained about that?
Another point I might add is that, my wedding was local, – noone had the expense of travel or hotels. At all my friends weddings, I have had to pay out for hotels and taxis and at least 2 drinks at each wedding, but as it was at the end of the night and not the start, it seems like it is looked upon differently.
I am just feeling a bit sad by their comments – I had no idea anyone had to buy a drink at that point, I know just 1 drink was plenty for me in that hour.
I just would like your honest comments please. Thank you

We are having a very informal wedding. It is a rustic wedding at a friends house and I know most of our friends who are heavy drinkers will show up with ice chests full of their own alcoholic drinks. I do want to supply some alcoholic beverages such as a keg or two, and several different types of liquor with mixers and champagne for the toast. I want to do this mostly for those guests who will only have 2 or 3 drinks throughout the night. I plan on setting up a table where guests can mix their own drinks. Is that okay? I just don’t know anyone who could bartend?

and after that we’re throwing a seperate reception/after party thing in our hotel suite for the people closer to our age (22) any ideas are welcome…:)

My friend told me to serve orange juice, but I was wondering if there’s a few more options worth including. I haven’t been to a wedding scince I was a child, and would have no idea.

OK so for my wedding reception, we are having non-alcoholic tropical drinks to go along with the beach/tropical/summer theme we have going.
What would be some good ones to make?
We already plan on pina coladas and margaritas, but i’m stuck on the rest…
I’m going to have sweet tea too for those who don’t like those drinks and for the little kids…

Incoming search terms:

• virgin tropical drinks (1)

Top wedding planner Susanna Richardson explains how to choose the best food and drinks for your wedding including advice on budget and themes.