The Secret to a Stress-Free Wedding Bar at Morningside (Plus Bonus FAQs!)

As you’re planning your wedding, one of the big decisions is often what type of bar service to provide. Should you choose an open bar or a consumption bar? Which one makes the most sense for your budget and for your guests’ experience?

At Morningside Inn, we keep it simple: we only offer open-bar service. And there’s a good reason for it—it’s the option that consistently creates the best experience for our couples and their guests. Here are a few reasons why:

1. No Unexpected Bills
With an open bar, you know exactly what you’re paying per guest before the big day. Everything is handled upfront, so you can plan your budget with confidence. A consumption bar, on the other hand, can leave couples with an unplanned bill at the end of the night if guests drink more than expected.

2. Guests Can Focus on Celebrating
Your wedding is all about celebrating YOU as a couple. With an open bar, guests don’t have to think twice about the cost of a drink, which helps them relax and enjoy the evening.

3. Faster, Smoother Service
Because bartenders don’t need to ring up or tally individual orders, service is much quicker. That means less time in line and more time enjoying the dance floor, conversation and celebration.

4. More Variety and Fun
An open bar gives guests the chance to enjoy a wider variety—whether that’s your signature cocktail, a glass of something sweet, or trying something new. It adds an extra element of fun and personalization to the night.

💍 The Bottom Line
Our goal at Morningside is to create a wedding day where you can relax, your guests feel taken care of, and everyone enjoys the celebration. An open bar helps us deliver exactly that.

Bar Service FAQs 🍷🍺🍹

We know couples often have specific questions about how bar service works at Morningside; here are some common questions we hear and the provided answers at your fingertips-

Q: What if I have several adult guests who don’t drink for religious or personal reasons?
A: This is not a problem; in our experience, the adults who do drink usually make up for those who don’t, so it all balances out. From a service standpoint, an open bar is the smoothest (and only) option since our staff doesn’t need to keep track of guests’ drinking habits.

Q: If I have guests who are close to 21 years old but not legally allowed to drink, will the bar staff check IDs?
A: Absolutely. For everyone’s safety and in compliance with the law, if a guest looks under 30, our bartenders will ask for ID before serving alcohol.

Q: Can I bring in my own alcohol?
A: No– our liquor license with the Maryland State Board requires that all alcohol be purchased and served through Morningside Inn. That includes everything from the prep rooms to the dance floor. If you have a specific wine, beer, or liquor you’d like served at your wedding, just let us know—we’re happy to see if we can order it for you!

Q: I’m thinking of having “beer boys” instead of a flower girl. Can I do that?
A: As fun as that sounds, we’re not able to allow guests to hand out beer, shooters, or any alcohol. Instead, we’d be glad to help brainstorm creative alternatives that are just as entertaining and follow our policies.

Q: Can we offer a signature cocktail?
A: Yes! Two signature cocktails are included when you select either the Standard or Premium bar package. They are a fun way to add personality to your bar menu, and our bartenders are happy to serve them.

Q: Can the bar serve shots?
A: No, we do not serve shots. However, our bartenders can create fun specialty drinks that feel celebratory without being served as straight shots.

Q: Can we do a champagne toast?
A: Absolutely, this is often included in our catering packages! We’ll provide the glassware and make sure every guest is ready to raise a glass during your big moment. For any guest who does not drink champagne, they can enjoy our delicious sparkling cider.

Q: What about kids or underage guests?
A: Children and under-21 guests are not included in the open-bar package. They’ll still have plenty of fun options with sodas and juices, or you could always add mocktails to your order!

Q: How long is the bar open during the reception?
A: Our bar service opens at the start of cocktail hour and closes 30 minutes before the end of the event. Drinks are not served to guests before the start of the ceremony.

Q: Can we request specific brands or types of alcohol?
A: Yes—just let us know what you’d like! If it’s not already part of our selection, we can look into ordering it for your wedding.

Q: What about coffee or late-night drinks?
A: A coffee and tea station is included, and we also offer fun late-night food and drink options you can add on if you’d like to surprise your guests toward the end of the night.

At the end of the day, your wedding should be about celebrating—not worrying about drink tabs or lines at the bar. That’s why we keep things simple with open-bar service. From champagne toasts to signature drinks, we’ll handle the details so you and your guests can just relax and enjoy the night. Cheers! 🥂