The Inn At Honey Run
  • About
  • Directions
  • News
  • Accommodations
  • Explore

    Explore

    From the moment you arrive, you’ll notice that there’s just something different about our boutique resort in the heart of Northeast Ohio. Nestled into the rolling hillsides of Amish Country, The Inn at Honey Run is an experience that will stay with you forever.

    Menu

    • Resort Amenities
    • Amish Country & Area Attractions
    • Enhancement Packages
    • Before You Arrive
  • Dining at Tarragon

    Dining at Tarragon

    Tarragon at The Inn at Honey Run offers premier fine dining for guests of Holmes County and our boutique hotel in Amish Country. Award-winning contemporary American cuisine is prepared by our culinary team using the freshest local and seasonal ingredients to support and showcase our fine local producers.

    Menu

    • Tarragon Menus
    • Chef’s Recipes
  • Art Museum
  • Weddings

    Ohio Wedding Venue

    The best Ohio wedding venue for intimate ceremonies, receptions, and overnight guest lodging. Our talented culinary team, attentive staff, and on-site wedding specialist provide superior service and bring to life your dream wedding. Our wedding package options are tailored for a variety of wedding types from intimate elopements or micro wedding ceremonies to all-inclusive destination weddings.

    Menu

    • All-Inclusive Wedding Packages
    • Elopements & Micro-Weddings
    • Contact our Wedding Specialist
  • Groups

    Corporate & Social Groups

    Perfect for a corporate retreat, company meeting, or group event, The Inn at Honey Run is a unique and ideal venue for any occasion. Our group accommodations, amenities, catering, and experiences are entirely customizable, allowing us to cater to your specific needs.

    Menu

    • Social Groups
    • Corporate Groups
    • Meeting Spaces
    • Dining Options
    • Group Activities
    • Request a Proposal
Book Now
Menu Book Now
  • Accommodations
  • Explore
  • Dining at Tarragon
  • Art Museum
  • Groups
  • Weddings
  • About Us
  • Directions
  • News

Inn at Honey Run News

Wedding Blog: Topic-How to Save Money by Comparison Shopping for Weddings

Posted on May 17, 2011
in Sales and Events Blog

Being a Certified Professional Wedding Planner for almost 30 years, I’m trying to put my knowledge and best practices in place for my daughter’s wedding coming up in February 2012. It’s so hard to find the “best” deal for your wedding.  Comparing apples to apples can be very tricky as every venue has a different idea for a “wedding package”. 

The bar seems to be the most crucial budgeted area of a couple’s wedding reception.  I know that I want a budgeted price so that there are no surprises at the end of the night.  As a wedding planner, I always fear having to call the EMT Squad when people say “most of our family doesn’t drink.  We’ll HOST the bar for the evening.  No we won’t do the hourly rate, it won’t be that much!” and then I have to present an $8,000 bar bill.  In 30 years I have yet to see a bride and groom, (or their parents for that matter), estimate correctly for a bar that they feel “won’t be that much”.  Put free drinks in front of guests and watch how their attitude changes about how much and IF they drink. J

A bar package, in my opinion, is always the most cost effective way to plan for a great evening without any surprises.  Some venues offer hourly rates, which is what I prefer. Some offer bottle rates – remember, there are 23-25 drinks in a bottle of liquor so, at $6-$9 a drink x 24 a hotel or venue would charge between $144 and $216 a bottle.  What I am trying to say, is don’t be surprised at bottle pricing costs. Most venues charge if a bottle is opened and many do not let you take the left-over alcohol as the venue must have a “carry-out” liquor license to allow guests to take alcohol away from the bar.  

I feel like an hourly rate bar package allows everyone to drink whatever they want and as much as they like at one flat fee (unless they are abusing the open bar at which time the bartender will refuse to serve them). Usually the first hour is higher than the remaining hours because everyone has 2-3 drinks in that first hour while they are waiting for the bride and groom and family to have the photo session.  One misconception is that it is cheaper to do wine and beer only.  There are approximately 5 glasses of wine in a bottle but 23-25 drinks in a bottle of liquor. Some people also believe that the alcohol consumption will be less and people less inebriated with only wine and beer.  All of my training attests that it makes no difference if it’s cocktails or just wine and beer.  I would discuss and have it written in the contract that no straight shots of liquor should be offered at the bar.  Straight shots are a sure way to have the bar and your guests get out of hand.  I also would make it clear that if the host is obligated to pay the gratuity or service fee on the alcohol that the bartenders DO NOT HAVE TIP JARS sitting on the bar for the guests to put cash tips into.  If I, as a guest, want to tip the bartender for taking good care of me, that’s my prerogative.  To have a “cash” tip jar to encourage guests to put in money is unethical if an automatic tip is added onto the host’s bill. I would also make the venue note that in the contract. I would go so far as to have it written that the bar bill will not be paid if any bartender has a cash tip jar on the “hosted” bar.

The only other bar tip I can offer is that many people remember when you could carry in your own beer/wine/champagne/alcohol and pay a corkage fee.  The state of Ohio has disallowed that practice. (It probably has something to do with the state not receiving the alcohol and beverage tax on alcohol that was served with only a corkage fee.)  If a venue has a liquor license, it is illegal and the venue can lose their license if they allow any alcohol to be carried in or out of the venue.

These are my bar tips for wedding or social functions.  I hope it has helped you in some way to decide on the right questions to ask when talking about bar service.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News Categories

Group Events Open Air Art Museum Letters from Jason Recipes Weddings

Recent Posts

  • The Health Benefits of a Nature Retreat: Why You Should Escape to The Inn
  • Letter from Jason – July 2025
  • Sage Polenta Recipe
Sign Up for Our Newsletter

About

  • Accommodations
  • Resort Amenities
  • Policies
  • News

Contact

  • Reservations
  • Directions
  • Gift Cards
  • Careers

The Inn at Honey Run

6920 County Road 203, Millersburg, Ohio 44654
Phone: 330-674-0011
Fax: 330-667-4210

Copyright © 2025 The Inn at Honey Run. All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions