Time and time again, brides say to me, " I really don't want my guests to pay for alcohol, but I just don't have the budget to host the bar!"

Now I've written many posts on different ways to handle this situation - hosting for an hour or two, hosting just beer and wine - but most brides come back to me and refuse all options. They want their guests to drink at no cost, for the duration of the wedding.

While personally I don't think this is necessary (because your guests aren't REQUIRED to drink), I have managed to find a way for brides to host for the duration of the event, ON A BUDGET.

And the answer is...

a signature cocktail.

A signature cocktail is a drink that you personally choose that is free to your guests (well, it doesn't have to be hosted). I've even seen couples choose a "Groom's Drink" and a "Bride's Drink" so that their guests have more options.

And the great part of it is?

It's much less expensive than hosting a full bar!

So you can host for the duration of the event, have some adorable cocktails available, AND stick to your budget! That sounds like a win-win to me!

I love signature cocktails, so here are some of my favorites so get your creative juices flowing (no pun intended).

If you have a great signature cocktail idea, share your recipe in the comments!