30th Birthday

jnorth90

I am throwing my H a fish fry for his bday and I have a question about alcoholic beverages. Everyone that is coming (abt 45pp) is in their early 30's and most drink. I put on the invite to please feel free to BYOB, because I didnt want it to sound mandatory but I know I can't afford to provide unlimited alcohol, wine, and beer for everyone in attendance. So do you think that most will bring something or should I re-word it? Also on evite you can put a list out there for people to bring certain things..should I do that?

I will have a small selection of drinks..

TIA and I hope BYOB isn't considered tacky...

 

SA7206

I come from a group of friends who would not be put off by someone asking us to BYOB (or BYO anything). However, I know some people are. With that in mind.....

I don't know how much your guests drink, but I think you can provide alcohol for them and have it relatively inexpensive.

I threw a luau and had about 50 people. We got a keg and had two signature drinks.

For my H's grad party we just had beer and wine. 

I think if you keep it to just a few options then it will cut your costs down. You can also say, we'll be serving beer and wine.  That way if someone wants something else, then they are free to bring what they like.

Good luck with the planning.

 

wejustwant2:)

Hi!  I don't think that BYOB is tacky per se.  Perhaps a little dated?  I have seen (& brought stuff) listed on those Evites though.

I agree with the previous post and wouldn't list BYOB on a paper invite.  I'm guessing the "small selection of drinks" that you are providing will suffice.  At most - a keg as well.

I used to work in catering and the formula we used was 1.5 drinks per guest for the first hour of an event, 1 per guest for each additional hour and I am sure that many of your guests will be drinking sodas, punch, wine etc. too.  If you make a big festive (inexpensive) punch bowl - people will tend to drink that more too.

And... having said all of that people will probably bring beer and wine anyways.  People rarely show up to a party empty-handed.

Good Luck and please post pictures/recipes when you are done.

Cheers!

GatorWedsNole

I agree with PP about "limited bar." 

I think you should provide:

• beer - bottles or half keg - depending on whether or not your guests all like the same beer
• wine -  red and whites
• soft drinks - sodas or punch bowl
• optional: 1 signature drinks - you can name it after your DH

Personally, I think the list of things to bring on evite might be a little strange.  That might only make sense at a group pot luck that was agreed upon by several people.

Also, I'd sugggest getting the "BYOB" idea out through word of mouth.  If someone asks, say that you're doing beer and wine, so if there's something else they'd like to drink, to please bring it.

HTH.  GL!

mollydalessio

I don't know if you have a Trader Joe's by you, but they have wine called Charles Shaw at 2.99 a bottle, and it's not bad at all!  Whenever I serve it people are clueless that it's so cheap, unless they have prior knowledge of the "Two buck Chuck".  Everyone who walks in the store walks out with at least a case.

amberknight01

I do not see BYOB as tacky. I believe in addition to all inputs here, a lot will depend on the relationship you share with these friends? Do you feel BYOB would be tacky for them? I think that should help you take a decision.

JennyQ1985

I just threw a surprise 30th bday for one of my close friends and I asked it be BYOB.  I had some beer & liquor there but everyone brought stuff for themselves to drink.

 

I had a LOT of beer leftover that people just left too!

HisCB

my bff and my bday is coming up, were not having byob mandatory, or even listed on the invitation. but when people rsvp and ask what they can bring, ive been saying whatever you like to drink, they can chose soda, juice, or booze.

i agree in my circles people rarely show up empty handed.

HellzKitten

In my circle of friends, everyone always shows up with something... whether that's a bottle of wine, a 6 pack of beer, whatever.  I would never show up empty-handed, but I do not like being told that I need to bring something.  I would probably say "We will provide XYZ, but if you'd like something special, please bring it."  Having a birthday party (where I would assume gifts are going to be brought), if it is at someone's home, I would think it rude for the host/hostess to make it entirely BYOB.