We’re getting married in September. Our funds are running out quickly and we’re not sure that we can provide everything we first dreamed would be at our wedding.
My partner and I discussed taking alcohol out of the wedding for some breathing room. Should we have a dry wedding to make ends meet? We think sometimes a glass of wine or two can always help loosen things up, especially at a gay wedding with uptight families.
Alcohol can be one of the most expensive things about a wedding, but don’t think that you need to have an open bar to have happy attendees. There are ways around selling all of your goods on E-bay just to offer some booze at the wedding.
A great way to save some cash is to have Charles Shaw be your sommelier. Charles Shaw wine is known to most people as Trader Joe’s “Two Buck Chuck” (or “Three Buck Chuck” in New York City). Believe it or not, it’s amazing wine at an unreal price.
I’d recommend designing elegant labels with your names on it to cover the Charles Shaw brand, so they’ll never know how much you’ve spent on the wine.
But before you take a truck in to get some cases, you should call your venue to find out if there is a cork fee for bringing in your own bottles. Corkage can be costly at $10 – $20 per bottle, which will take you back to square one. You should also ask your venue liaison if they require additional staffing to serve your guests. Some states require a licensed bartender that is trained to not over-serve those who may be driving.
Another inexpensive and elegant way to serve alcohol is a champagne fountain. The fountains are reasonable to rent, usually under $100, but they look like you’ve spend a ton in adding to the decor. Prosecco, a dry Italian sparkling wine, is a little cheaper that champagne, but still has a great taste. Also, if you use the short champagne glasses, you’ll get more milage out of your bottles.
If you’ve crunched the numbers and feel like those options won’t work, you can always offer a cash bar.
Your friends should come to your wedding to see you take the next step in your relationship, not to get sauced. I’ve been to weddings with a cash bar and have been completely content, especially the next day when I didn’t wake up with a splitting headache.
It’s great to always have your guests in mind for your special day. But know that you’ll be sharing your wedding with your partner – along with the debt you will acquire. Keep in mind that you’ll still have a fantastic day within your means.
