For most people, it just wouldn’t be a wedding without a glass of Champagne or a few signature cocktails. While serving alcohol can certainly promote a laid-back and festive atmosphere, it can also lead to some major headaches. From the guest who has had one too many to drinking and driving, these are some sensible solutions for alcohol problems at weddings.

Problem No. 1: The guest who becomes the “life of the party”. A smart host of a wedding goes into the reception with a preventative plan already in place. Have guidelines in place for bartenders to follow to make your wishes clear. For instance, I once worked in a restaurant that had this policy regarding alcoholic beverages: Always offer a drink, suggest a second, serve a third if asked, serve a fourth under duress, and always refuse a fifth. With a clear policy in place, it will be easier for bartenders to know how to handle a guest who clearly needs to be cut off, whether it is sweet Aunt Millie in her proper pearl earrings or a wild and crazy fraternity brother.

Problem No. 2: The guest who gets drunk and rowdy at every family function. Unfortunately, there is one of these in most families. Alert the site manager, bartenders, and other staff to specific individuals who are likely to need to be cut off at the bar so they are aware of the situation. You should also appoint someone, such as the bride’s father, to whom staff can turn if they need assistance with an unruly guest. Being proactive can help to avoid any ugly scenes on the day of the wedding reception.

Problem No. 3: Not enough food. If you are serving alcohol at your cocktail hour, be sure that you are serving plenty of appetizers too. A mistake that couples sometimes make is limiting the hors d’oeuvres to save money, and the result can be a lot of guests who are smashed by the time dinner comes. Something else that can help is offering an attractive selection of non-alcoholic specialty drinks and mocktails to encourage guests to pace themselves. Have a small chalkboard right on the bar listing the special non-alcoholic drinks so guests will be tempted to sample them between cocktails.

Problem No. 4: Drinking and driving. This is by far the most serious problem that can arise from drinking at a wedding reception. It is a long party, after all, and people tend to consume more than their usual allotment of drinks at weddings. The smartest thing you can do is to arrange for shuttle service between the reception and the hotel where guests will be staying. Make it a round trip shuttle so that everyone will take it to the ceremony and leave their cars at the hotel. Be sure to schedule enough runs so that every single guest has the opportunity to use the shuttle. Beyond the safety issues, there is also the matter of liability when your guests drive drunk, so do everyone a favor and get them home safely.

Of all the choices you make for your wedding, from the perfect gown and pearl earrings to music to food, planning for alcohol issues are among the most important. When you plan a beautiful reception, you don’t want to see it marred by an intoxicated guest or worse yet, a tragedy on the road. With a few sensible steps, hosts can make sure that alcohol remains a festive part of their wedding without causing serious problems.

Author Bio: Bridget Mora writes for Silverland Jewelry about wedding planning, society, and etiquette. Treat yourself to pearl earrings, bracelets, and necklaces from http://silverlandjewelry.com/ for your wedding, special occasion, or just for fun! All jewelry orders over $99 receive free shipping.

Category: Marriage
Keywords: pearl earrings, alcohol at weddings, drunk wedding guests, wedding planning