On 30 Dec 2003 16:19:22 GMT, Cate >
wrote:

>sf > wrote in
:
>
>> Most people who can read also know when an open bar ends,
>> it's information that should be included on the reception
>> card.
>
>Invitations that include rules, times, and payments for drinking are a
>turnoff to me. It wouldn't be an event I'd be interested in attending.
>Obviously your mileage varies.

I'm with you. I wouldn't go. I had a young family member who got
married a few years ago. She was asking "around" if people thought it
was OK to ask one of the more affluent family members to help pay for
a wedding. Talk about a turnoff.

>Limited open bars usually stop at dinner time, for
>> those who don't have a clue.
>
>Your experience is far from universal.

I've never seen or heard of it either. But after reading SF's posts
on and off for a few years I'm sure I wouldn't be friends with people
like her.

>I'm from the mid-south, and IME there, open bars don't close until the
>couple wants the guests to go home. And most receptions aren't sit-down
>dinners; they're what's known as 'heavy hors d'oevres' which means
>entree-type food in portions that fit on small plates (think tapas
>buffet). No assigned seating, and sometimes seating for only 1/2 the
>guests, thus forcing people to mingle. That's what my wedding was like.

I've not been to a wedding like that, but a few very high-end
Christmas party's. This year we went to a part held at the Hyatt
Lodge located in the McDonald's Campus. When I heard the "M" word I
gasped. I was assured that we wouldn't be eating McShitties food.

The party was supposed to be from 7-10 pm. Traffic was very light and
we got there a few minutes early. The bar was open, food was out,
servers were at their stations, and a chef was at her cooking station
to work her private magic for each person who wished. There were a
few hundred people there and maybe 25 chairs at low tables. The rest
of the tables were standing height and not many of them. I was the
designated driver and the token date. I met lots of people, Had fun
conversation. Heard great piano music. ETC. I've never been to a
party of strangers and had more fun. The forum you've described is
awesome.

>I've been to a few weddings in and around NYC, and it was entirely
>different from what I was used to: Open bar with 'cocktail hour' until
>dinner, then only wine or beer served by waiters with assigned seating
>at a sit-down dinner, where you didn't get up again unless you wanted to
>dance or had to go to the bathroom. Personally, I hate being tied to a
>table.

The weddings I've been to like that opened the bar up as soon as
dinner was done without any restrictions.

>I've also been a to potluck weddings in state parks and back yards where
>there was little or no alcoholic drinks.

Well,,,,,potluck? You must have known what you were in for?

>And don't get me started on my
>in-laws' Pittsburgh and Rochester NY weddings!

LOL How about a wedding that the grooms father had put a $100 cap on
the bar. The first 5 people in line got through with backups. The
rest were at a cash bar.

Gar