Are you and your partner thinking about planning a bring-your-own-booze (BYOB) wedding? A BYOB wedding can be a lot of fun and save couples a considerable amount of money. From letting your guests know you will not have an open bar to checking in with local liquor laws, we are breaking down some of the most important considerations and best practices for this type of event.
Learn more about BYOB wedding etiquette.
Is It Okay to Do a BYOB Wedding?
The short answer is yes. You can certainly host your wedding without purchasing alcohol through your venue. A few different options are available to you. Consider asking your guests to bring their own drinks, or stock up on alcohol from a separate vendor and provide that at your event.
BYOB weddings have many misconceptions. Some people fear their guests will find it tacky or rude not to include an open bar. Others worry that having the guests bring their own alcohol will cause the day to feel like a free-for-all party rather than a refined celebration.
The bottom line is this wedding is your event, and you are in control of how you host it. Regardless of your decisions, some of your guests will have different opinions. Pleasing everyone will be impossible. So, instead of worrying about making everyone else happy, do what works best for you and your soon-to-be spouse.
Finding BYOB Wedding Venues
If you and your partner decide on a BYOB wedding, it is essential you find a venue that can legally and logistically accommodate your needs. Explore these easy ways to find a suitable venue:
Do an Online Search
The first and easiest thing to do is perform an online search of BYOB-friendly venues in your desired region. Some venues will include information on their website about their alcohol regulations regarding events. This is an easy way to narrow down your list and find a place that will work for you and your guests.
Ask the Event Coordinator
Some locations will not be as transparent online about their alcohol rules. If you find a venue that you love, reach out to their event coordinator or manager to ask about hosting a BYOB event there.
They can help you understand what is and is not allowed on their property, or they will let you know that they cannot support a BYOB wedding.
Consider a Backyard Wedding
Another option for finding a BYOB wedding venue is hosting your big day at a house. When you have the event at a home versus a traditional venue, there will likely be fewer logistical challenges in regard to bringing alcohol. You’ll be able to serve alcohol in a variety of ways at an at-home reception. Keep in mind some cities will require you to get proper permission before hosting the event at a residential property.
Benefits of Hosting a BYOB Wedding
A BYOB wedding can have many benefits for couples and their guests. Explore some of the key advantages:
Personal Preferences
One of the perks of a BYOB wedding is that everyone can choose their desired drink of choice. When you purchase alcohol through a venue, you may be limited by what options they will serve. BYOB events offer a lot more freedom and control.
Forgo the Planning Hassles
While planning a wedding, many couples hit roadblocks when trying to create a plan regarding the alcohol they will serve.
Choosing the right quantities and drink options can be a major challenge, as you never really know how much people will drink or what types of beverages they are going to want. A BYOB wedding allows you to forgo these hassles so you can focus your energy on planning other parts of your big day.
Cost Savings
Saving costs is perhaps the greatest pro of hosting a BYOB wedding. It is not uncommon for venues to increase their alcohol prices — after all, offering alcohol at events increases the likelihood of certain issues like property damage and conflicts. By purchasing the alcohol yourself or asking your guests to bring their own, you can save a lot of money and tighten your wedding budget.
How Much Money Do BYOB Weddings Save?
By asking guests to bring their own drinks, couples could cut their event budgets down by thousands of dollars. According to The Knot, the average amount of money spent on alcohol was over $3,000 for weddings with over 100 guests.
The exact amount of money spent on alcoholic beverages will depend on a few factors, such as guest count and the options offered.
Tips for Planning a BYOB Wedding
When it comes to planning a BYOB wedding, there are some critical considerations to keep in mind. Check out these essential tips:
1. Explore All Legal Needs
Anytime you are serving alcohol, it is important to consider the local and state liquor laws. These regulations vary according to your state, so it is important to comb through them and ensure you comply with all BYOB policies. You should also consider how you might handle guests who over-indulge, such as offering transportation to prevent guests from driving under the influence.
2. Get Wedding Liability Insurance
A very helpful tip for planning a BYOB wedding is getting wedding liability insurance beforehand. This type of insurance can help protect couples against alcohol-related incidents during their reception.
3. Let People Know Upfront
One of the best things you can do when planning a BYOB wedding is to let your guests know as soon as possible. You’ll want them to come to your big day prepared to have a nice time. Adding a small note to your wedding website or invitations is a great way to let everybody know not to expect an open bar.
How to Say BYOB on Wedding Invitations
Some people are apprehensive about adding a note to their wedding invitations asking their guests to bring their own alcoholic beverages. No matter how casual or formal your invitation is, there are endless ways you can respectfully communicate that you’re having a BYOB wedding.
You can add a small note at the bottom of your invite that says something like “Celebrate with us at our BYOB reception” or “This is a BYOB event. We appreciate your understanding!” If you have a wedding website, you can also mention it there.
Don’t be afraid to be upfront about drinks on your invitation. Many people closely associate weddings with alcohol, so it will likely already be top of mind.
Stock up for Your BYOB Wedding With Marketview Liquor
If you are looking for someplace to stock up on alcohol for your BYOB wedding, turn to Marketview Liquor. We have a wide selection of options available, ranging from high-end wines to champagne to tequila.
At Marketview Liquor, we make ordering online easy. We offer nationwide shipping so getting alcohol for your wedding is convenient and simple. Plus, you can get free shipping on 12 or more select wine bottles.
Are you ready to get started? Browse wines and spirits from Marketview Liquor today!