Is open bar worth it?

[Alisarosenbaum]

The Hilton charges $55/person for 4 hours of open bar, which seems crazy. We have some big drinkers, but we also have a lot of people that will drink only a couple drinks, making me think it is not worth it. I guess this question is really for the Hilton brides, but which did you choose? Also, the ONLY reason I think it might be worth it is bottled water. It is $3.50/each, and I can imagine many people constantly gettting water and this is included in the open bar. At the Hilton, how is water served during dinner...are you just charged for the bottle?

 

Also, I have been in some places that the price listed for say vodka, only includes the vodka. If you want a vodka and soda water, you also pay for the soda water. Is this the case at the Hilton?

[Smelikai]

I've been going through the same dilemma. It's so hard to figure out. I think $55 is a good price though. The Fiesta Americana wants to charge $82 for a domestic open bar for 4 hours.

[deleted]

You may want to talk to Kash about this...

 

For me, part of paying for an open bar was the peace of mind. I did not want to spend my wedding night getting (silently) angry if I saw water bottles sitting around half-full that I knew we paid $4 for. I just did not want to feel like I needed to be careful about counting receipts or losing track of how high the tab was running or if it was accurate...etc etc. With open bar, I could order a margarita, leave it on the table, forget it, and get another and NOT CARE. (Not saying that was my goal, but I am a penny pincher type of person and I know I would have stressed about it)

[A10CalGal]

I totally agree with what Janet said. For us, it was totally worth the open bar. Even though we had probably 2 people that didn't drink but one drink, the rest of us made up for it HUGELY! Just not having to worry about it was worth it to me.

[foxytv]

We'll be at an AI ... but still have to add on fees for the reception. I think it's $2500 for a 3-hour beach reception ... buffett w/ open bar (but we will pay an extra preium for top shelf, which Tom insists on). With an estimated 60 people that's like $40+ per person, and with the premium liquor fee it'll be closer to $60pp ... so I think your fee is right on target.

[Christine]

we got two kegs and wine (various kinds of reds and whites) as well as champagne for the toast. no hard alcohol for us, it wasn't worth the cost.

[JPMO]

While I wasn't a Hilton bride I must say that $55. is not bad at all for a hotel wedding. When I was estimating costs before selecting an AI resort even a modified bar (i.e. beer, wine, margarita only) was just as expensive.

 

For peace of mind sake, I'd opt for the open bar. I've never been keen on the tab or by consumption bar... you'll never keep track of it nor will you want to. For the water alone it's a must although most people will drink 3/4 bottled waters and then soda if non drinkers that day.

 

Hope my opinion helps

[*JillD*]

I think Kash told them she didn't want bottled water included in the open bar, if I remember correctly, hopefully she'll chime in.

[amyh]

I think you need an open bar for a DW. Your guests are spending quite a lot of money to join you that day and most will stay at an AI.

[JENESIS]

In my opinion open bar is totally worth it. We had open bar the first 4 hours and then we were talked into changing the last 2.5 hours to consumption. We were somehow convinced that people would slow down after 10 and it wold be cheaper.

 

It was more expensive than if we would have just paid for the open bar from 6:30 to 1am.

 

I think it all depends on your guests. We had a handful that weren't drinking alcohol, but it still added up. It might have been things such as bottled water, I don't know.