Best Practices and Guidelines for the perfect bar at Antler Ridge Weddings located near Grand Junction Colorado. In this Blog, we will discuss responsible liquor management, liquor insurance, and tips on how to manage alcohol and your guests at your wedding.
Guests will be snapping pics and raising their glasses to the unique experience that Antler Ridge Weddings has to offer. This antique bar caqme out of a saloon in the mining town of Crestone, Colorado near Alamosa in the San Luis Valley. This bar has witnessed lots of Western Characters and Colorado folklore.
Responsible Liquor Management at Antler Ridge Weddings located near Grand Junction Colorado
At Antler Ridge Weddings , many couples want to include alcohol as part of their wedding celebration. Here are some key tips for planning the best possible wedding bar . These tips will help ensure your wedding is both enjoyable, well-organized, and reduces liability for you and your guests. Managing alcohol at your wedding is all about finding a balance between celebration, partying , and responsibility. To avoid unseen incidents, you can carefully establish what your expectations are. . These boundaries will guarantee that your special day will be remembered for the love, laughter, and memories that wedding celebrations bring.
At Antler Ridge Weddings, we have several areas for your Bar set up. Thats what our guests love most about our wedding venue: Choices. You can either choose to use the outdoor log Gazebo, bring in a unique renovated horse trailer like , The Tipsy Trailer, located near by in Grand Junction Colorado or use the Antique bar that is in the barn reception area.
Cocktail hour is Antler Ridges outdoor Gazebo is just another option for setting up your bar .
The log Gazebo is often times used for providing a SIGNATURE DRINK where guests can gather while your wedding photos are being taken. Why not have a "We Are Mint To Be" classic Mojito or "Mai Tai The Knot" What a fun and unique way to begin your wedding celebration.
Liability Insurance Is Essential for a Successful Antler Ridge Wedding.
At Antler Ridge Weddings., managing alcohol responsibly is a key to making sure your wedding is safe and memorable. That’s why planning your wedding bar starts with liability insurance. Antler Ridge Weddings , like most venues requires, all couples to purchase wedding insurance called Event Insurance that covers general liability coverage and liquor host insurance.. This is important not just for you, but also for any vendors working on our property. At Antler Ridge , we expect all Vendors to act professionally and responsibly throughout your event. We recommend Event Helper or Indemn Insurance Company to provide cancellation insurance for added protection and peace of mind. At Antler Ridge, once you book the venue we will give you a link to get insurance. It is very easy to do and very inexpensive.
Here is a quote from one of the leading wedding insurance agents in the country.
"You take on a lot of responsibility for many people when hosting a wedding, and that is multiplied when alcohol is involved (which is almost always present). Protecting yourselves with event liability insurance that includes host liquor liability (alcohol coverage) is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to safeguard your special day."
Mitchell Busse, Event Insurance Manager,Indemn Insurance
Tip: Always add mixers, provide water stations and have appetizers at the end of your event.
Tips for Managing Alcohol at Your Wedding
Limit the Bar Opening for a More Balanced Celebration
One effective way to manage alcohol consumption at your wedding is to limit your bar opening until after the ceremony or even wait until the reception begins. By doing this, you create a more structured timeline for when drinks are available, helping to prevent guests from drinking too early in the day. This not only ensures that your ceremony remains the focus, but it also sets a relaxed and steady pace for alcohol consumption throughout the evening.
Limit the Bar Hours
Delaying the bar hours also encourages guests to enjoy other parts of your event—like mingling, taking photos, exploring the grounds at Antler Ridge or playing yard games. Be sure to serve plenty of appetizers during your cocktail hour.
The 'No Shot' Rule
Consider implementing a no-shot rule, even if your venue doesn’t require it. You want your wedding to be memorable for the right reasons. Avoiding shots generally helps control the event. At Antler Ridge, we have a No Shots, Rule, and suggest that hard liquor be served with a mixer. Antler Ridge does not have a liquor license and so you as the Host are responsible for your guests and their behavior. Shots are a reciepe for disaster!
Specialty Drinks
Creating a signature cocktail that reflects your style and adds a personal touch can be very fun and memorable for your guests . Such as, Mai tai the Knot, Marriage Margarita, Mary Me Mule , Mint to Be , Ale You Need is Love
Host a Keg, Beer or Wine and then Switch to Cash Bar:
Providing one free keg, or offering beer and wine all night with a “when it’s gone, it’s gone” approach can also be a budget-friendly option. Serving beer and wine at your wedding not only is budget friendly but has a different feel or vibe. Hard liquor takes your wedding celebration to the next level. You as the wedding couple need to decide if you want to provide a social event or a night club feel. At Antler Ridge Weddings we love the feel of a social event ,Where Memories Are Made! Switching to a cash bar is another option to manage costs while still making alchol available to your guests.
Close the bar during dinner
Closing the bar during dinner is a simple yet effective way to manage alcohol consumption . When guests are focused on enjoying their meal, they’re less likely to miss the bar being temporarily unavailable. This small pause not only reduces the total number of hours the bar is open but also encourages guests to focus on the dining experience, engaging in conversation and savoring the food.
This break also provides your bartenders with some downtime.
Avoid drinking too much before the wedding
While a mimosa during hair and makeup is fun, there are other ways to start your day. At Antler Ridge we have 5 acres that you can enjoy. Taking a morning walk with your bridesmaids or sitting at the pond is the perfect option at Antler Ridge Weddins. When you choose our weekend wedding package , you will have your morning of your wedding free to just relaxed before your wedding events starty. Heavy drinking in the wedding party suites isn’t the best way to kick off your celebration. Remember the reason you’re here and why you're investing in this special day—to fully enjoy the experience. A big part of that is being able to remember it!
Offer Late-Night Snacks: Serving late-night snacks can help slow down alcohol absorption and keep guests energized, giving them something else to focus on besides drinking. Our last wedding had a Donut bar as a," Grab and Go" option along with a bottle of water. Remember at Antler Ridge Weddings you are the liquor host and are responsible for keeping your guest safe. That is why we require Liquor Host Liability Insurance
“My advice to couples for alcohol consumption at our events is :
1.“Don’t drink before the wedding!
2. Eat a good breakfast & be sure to drink water and stay hydrated throughout the day.”
3. Eat snacks through out the day!
4. This is a very special day and you want to remember every moment. So it can be cherished for a life time!
Include Mocktails at your wedding bar. Including non-alcoholic drinks, or "mocktails," at your wedding bar is a great way to ensure all your guests feel included in the celebration. Whether some guests prefer not to drink or are designated drivers, offering creative and flavorful mocktails provides a fun alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages. It’s a thoughtful way to accommodate everyone while still keeping the bar experience lively and enjoyable for all.
Provide Water Stations: Set up accessible water stations or have servers offer water regularly throughout the event. Keeping guests hydrated helps slow down their alcohol intake and keeps the focus on enjoying the event. Consider , having water available so they can also take it with them when they leave.
Finally
Weddings are for celebrating, so look for special ways to incorporate fun and joy into your day. At Antler Ridge, We do not allow your guests to bring in alcohol or to drink in the parking lot. All drinks must be provided by you, the liquor host. This puts everyone at risk—the couple, the venue, and the bar provider. In the end, managing alcohol at your Antler Ridge Wedding is all about striking a balance between celebration and responsibility. By making thoughtful choices and setting clear guidelines, you can ensure that your big day is remembered for the love, laughter, and joy it brings. Be sure to schedule a tour now. We look forward to meeting you and of course we want to hear about your wedding vision.
Antler Ridge Weddings is a locally owned wedding venue and loves supporting the local community and all of our local vendors. Here is a shout out to some of the local wedding vendors across the country.
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