Weddings: Cash bar vs. Open bar: What's the best way to negotiate a lower price for an open bar at a nice hotel?

Negotiating an open for a wedding is just like negotiating in business. I'm getting married this year and I'm trying to keep my costs down. One of the things that really helped me was not referring to my wedding as a "wedding." I kept calling it an "event"  or I kept saying "for the party I'm hosting." Once you say "wedding" prices go up. If you're planning on eating there, ask them if there are certain corners you cut on the pricing of the menu in order to have an open bar. Sometimes they won't budget. I've also noticed giving them a number actually does help. Whatever you have mind, they tend to stick around that. Be honest, give yourself some wiggle room without low balling them. My friend a cocktail wedding (here: http://www.hillslodge.com.au/cocktail-weddings) with an open bar where small food was served with just tapas. So I'm not sure if you want a formal sit down meal. Typically if the place has a wedding planner, they are able work with you. Good luck!

We had several tiers of options when we did our wedding: Beer and wine only Beer and wine included, cash mixed drinks "Well" mixed drinks along with beer and wine "Premium" mixed drinks, beer, and wine We went with choice 3. When we ran the numbers, one of the benefits was that sodas were included so we no longer had to include table service for tea and lemonade at $2.50/pp, so the upcharge to go from #2 to #3 actually ended up cheaper! Other choices if the venue does not require you to use their vendors: Have a friend get a liquor license and purchase your own booze in bulk.  You'll need someone to serve it still, but I had a friend save probably 40% off of retail. Close the bar earlier. At those prices, you are looking at $900/hour to have the booze, so if your venue wants to kick you out at 11, close the bar at 10.

If you want a really cheap alternative, don't serve it. But if that won't fly with your guests you can do what we did. We served only beer, wine, margaritas (most people pick one specialty mixed drink, that was just our choice) and we made it self serve. Invested in a wine fountain, Beer Keg and Margarita machine (rented of course) so the need to pay a bartender did not exist. If you are having it at a hotel hall you can opt for a cash bar where the guests pay for drinks but many people consider that bad taste. If that’s not an option either, cut down the amount of time in open bar. I think this would have a lot to do with where you live and what you want for http://www.saddleworthhotel.co.uk/. There are lots of ways to cut back. Alcohol gets expensive, so a dry wedding can be cheaper (also prevents dunks). You can also limit it to wine and beer, or have an open bar for an hour, or provide tickets for a few drinks but charge after that.