What Happens to Half-Empty Bottles of Alcohol After a Wedding?

alcohol at a wedding

Photo: Lindsay Hite of Readyluck

When the bar is closed and the lights are on, it’s time for your wedding vendors to pack up and head home. But even though wedding guests can’t get a drink, there’s a good chance you’ll have a few bottles of wine or liquor that are open and half-full — which means you can’t return them, but you don’t really want to throw them away. What happens to those partially-consumed bottles when your wedding is over? We asked the experts.

The fate of those open bottles of booze depends on both your venue and your caterer. Many caterers work with liquor suppliers that will buy back unopened bottles and cases, helping you recoup some of your catering costs once the wedding is over. However, those opened bottles aren’t eligible, so talk to your caterer about their policies (as well as their liability). Some may allow you to keep the bottles for yourselves, while others might have to take the bottles with them and dispose of them, even if only a few shots have been poured.

You should also check with your venue regarding their policies and liability insurance. If you have to buy liquor through your venue, you probably won’t be able to take the opened bottles with you at the end of the night. This may even apply to cases — if you buy a case of champagne and there are two unopened bottles remaining, some venues can’t refund you for the bottles that weren’t poured because most of the case was consumed.

If you’re having your wedding in a private venue, there’s a good chance you can keep the bottles. Ask your venue manager or the caterer to set aside any bottles that have been open so you can share a glass of wine with your wedding party before you head to bed or pick them up in the morning. For things like liquor, where the product is identical between bottles, combine two half-full bottles of the same brand of vodka, screw on the cap, and add it to the bar at your house.

See more: Can We Have a BYOB Wedding?

The Most Romantic Wedding Day Gifts That Don't Cost a Thing

Exchanging gifts with your soon-to-be spouse on your wedding day may be tradition — but it doesn’t have to be expensive, our experts say. “A gift exchange is a perfect way to be in the moment, connect with your love, and focus on the importance of the day,” says Jaclyn Fisher, owner of Philadelphia-based Two Little Birds Planning. “It’s OK if an extravagant or pricey gift isn’t in the budget. Some of the best gifts are heartfelt, sentimental, and don’t cost a thing.” Here are seven of our favorite (and free!) wedding day gift ideas for your almost-spouse.

1. Give the gift of breakfast in bed.
Whip up an omelet and hash browns for your soon-to-be spouse, and ask your BFF or a family member to deliver it to him the morning of the wedding. “If you don’t have time to make pancakes from scratch, bake some muffins or breakfast pastries the day before the wedding,” suggests Fisher. “This sweet gesture shows that you care and it’s the perfect way to start the day.”

2. Exchange cards during your first look.
If you’ve opted for a first look, you can make the moment even more memorable by handing your soon-to-be spouse a heartfelt card. “The anticipation and excitement have been building all day,” Fisher describes, “and because your emotions will be at an all-time high, you may have a hard time verbalizing your feelings. By writing it all down ahead of time, you ensure your partner knows exactly what’s on your mind and how you’re feeling in that very special moment.”

3. Write a love note.
If you’re not sharing a first look, consider writing a love note your partner can read on his or her own time. “There’s nothing sweeter than a love note from your honey,” says Aviva Samuels, owner of Kiss the Planner in Palm Beach, Fla. “Consider sending it via messenger while you’re both getting ready for the wedding and expect at least a few tears of joy.” What’s more, if you’ve hired a videographer, you can catch your partner’s reaction to your love note on film, and treasure that for years to come.

4. Scrapbook your love story.
Calling all scrap-bookers: Grab a brand-new book, but begin to fill it with all the old things we know you’ve been collecting for years, from photos to cards, tickets, and everything in between. “Making a book of your love story is a sentimental and heartfelt gift,” says Fisher, who suggests including the stories of how you met, your first date, and your proposal story. “You will both cherish this unique gift forever.”

See More: Real Brides Reveal the Pros and Cons of Having a First Look

5. Give your partner a family heirloom.
“Giving your spouse-to-be a family heirloom is a beautifully symbolic way to show the joining of your families,” says Fisher. Your grandfather’s pocket watch or your father’s cufflinks could make the perfect gift for your groom, while a grandmother’s locket or the handkerchief your sister carried on her wedding day will surely be appreciated by your bride. “These gifts are also the beginning of family traditions that can be passed to future generations,” Fisher says.

6. Write every reason you love him or her.
Each time you think of a reason you love your partner, jot it down and save it in a box or envelope, suggests Fisher. “From foot rubs on the couch after a bad day at work to saving you the last bite of dessert, writing down all of the reasons you love him or her will make your partner feel loved, appreciated, and special,” she says.

7. Say “I love you” without a word.
As Samuels reminds us, a photograph is worth a thousand words. So, find or snap a meaningful photo, then, “wrap it up in tissue paper and seal it with a kiss, attach it to a card, or leave it in his jacket pocket or even his shoe,” Samuels suggests. “Finding it as a surprise adds another element of sweetness.”

8. Request a song.
Loop your DJ in on this gift by giving him the heads-up you’d like him to play a song you’ve picked for your partner at the opportune moment during your reception. You can decide whether to explain the song’s meaning to your guests, or keep it as a gift between just you two, Fisher says. “The song might be the one that was playing when you first met, one with a message that means something to your sweetheart, or one that just moves him or her for whatever reason,” she says.

4 Unique Ways to Use Paper at Your Wedding

Whether you’re looking to save money on florals, hoping preserve special wedding memories, or searching special ways to add that “wow” factor to your big day, put the Pinterest down — we’ve got you covered. Wedding planner to the stars David Tutera shared with BRIDES four unique ways you can use paper — yes, paper — to totally transform your big day. Think beyond your standard wedding stationery and try some of these tips for one-of-a-kind décor and mementos.

A Bouquet That Lasts Forever
Florals are often one of the most expensive-yet-beautiful parts of wedding planning. What if there was a way to save money AND have something that lasts forever? According to David, this no-glue gun required way of crafting a perfect paper floral bouquet from one of his kits (available at JoAnn, Michael’s and AC Moore) enables you to make an entire bridal or bridesmaid bouquet out of craft paper. “The girls or guys can do it and put it together — and it’s a keepsake. It just looks amazing,” says David.

Décor
Want to ramp up your décor with show-stopping visuals using unassuming (and cost effective) materials? The answer — you guessed it — is paper. “I did a party last year where I did a whole backdrop of paper with paper florals as a backdrop to the band.” David adds, “People are sort of surprised like, ‘oh my gosh look at what you can do with paper.'” Incorporating these materials into tablescapes, centerpieces, and throughout your reception just might be the wow factor you’re looking for.

Beautify Your Vows
“I’ve seen this way too many times: people will read their vows off their smart phones, or they will have a crumbled piece o paper out of their jacket,” explains David. He suggests taking this as yet another opportunity to step up your game and save the memory. David believes vows “should be on a beautiful scroll they read and you can frame that and turn it into a piece of art that is larger than life.”

Cherish The Memories
While traditional guest books and sign in boards are a lovely way of preserving memories and guest’s well wishes, there are other ways to save and display these “memory moments.” There are a variety of creative ideas that he has seen and incorporated seamlessly. “There’s the trees (where guests sign on the the leaves or leave thumbprints), the balloons on ribbons, messages in a bottle to open on your 10th anniversary and turn into a piece of art.” And then there are unconventional, artsy ways to really get creative. “I have even done where you take pieces of paper and people write letters to the bride and groom. You then give it to an artist and they take the paper and actually recreate the bride’s dress and put it in a shadow box and you can’t really see what was written but you know the words are now a part of the dress in the shadow box you can display in your house.”

See More: The Top 23 Wedding Trends for Summer 2016

Laguna Beach Star Dieter Schmitz Is Married! See Photos From His California Wedding

Dieter Schmitz Wedding Photos

Photo: Courtesy of Stephen Colletti via Instagram

Cue Hilary Duff’s “Coming Clean” because we’re having a major Laguna Beach throwback moment. All of the former Hollister-clad teens of the franchise are all grown up and getting married, having babies, and basically just making us feel really, really old. The latest Laguna Beach resident to tie the knot? Remember Dieter Schmitz? Back in the day, he was Lauren Conrad and Stephen Colletti’s BFF and dated drama queen Jessica Smith during their high school years. But now he’s playing the part of a groom, as Schmitz just tied the knot with his sweetheart in a beautiful California ceremony. And you might just recognize a few familiar faces in the wedding party

Now the manager of EVEN Hotel Times Square South, Schmitz popped the question to his bride, Isabell Hiebl, over two years ago with a gorgeous cushion-cut diamond engagement ring, and the big day finally arrived this weekend. The couple exchanged vows on Saturday at the Intercontinental Clement Monterey hotel. The day before the “I do’s,” Schmitz took to Instagram to share his excitement and show off their to-die-for ceremony locale — a waterside spot, overlooking Monterey Bay.

On the big day, the bride wore a lovely lace wedding dress while Schmitz accessorized his classic black suit with a white boutonniere, as they said their “I do’s” under a flower-adorned ceremony arch.

No, Lauren Conrad was sadly not a bridesmaid, but a few of Schmitz’s MTV co-stars did in fact make an appearance, including Trey Phillips, Stephen Colletti, and Loren Polster. In a snapshot of pre-ceremony drinks, Schmitz tagged his boys, writing, “Love these guys @treyphillips @stephencolletti @benjammin2686 @lukih17 @lorenpolster.”

Meanwhile, Colletti shared his friend’s excitement, posting a photo of the bride and groom on social media, writing, “Big day today. 8/27/16.”

Post-“I do’s,” it seems like the couple is basking in the newlywed bliss. “Still pinching myself to make sure this is reality,” Schmitz wrote on Instagram. “What an amazing night. @isathebell Schmitz I love you!” According to E! News, the pair is heading to a dream honeymoon in Bali, Australia, and Hong Kong. We’re sure Jessica Smith is totally jealous…

One day away from marrying @isathebell #dizzy4schmitz

A photo posted by dieterschmitz (@dieterschmitz) on Aug 26, 2016 at 4:12pm PDT

Love these guys @treyphillips @stephencolletti @benjammin2686 @lukih17 @lorenpolster

A photo posted by dieterschmitz (@dieterschmitz) on Aug 27, 2016 at 11:37am PDT

Chalk that up to the most appreciative husband ever…..

A photo posted by dieterschmitz (@dieterschmitz) on Aug 28, 2016 at 2:46am PDT

Big day today. 8/27/16 @dieterschmitz @isathebell #dizzy4schmitz

A photo posted by Stephen Colletti (@stephencolletti) on Aug 27, 2016 at 5:40pm PDT

Still pinching myself to make sure this is reality. What an amazing night. @isathebell Schmitz I love you!

A photo posted by dieterschmitz (@dieterschmitz) on Aug 28, 2016 at 8:29am PDT

See More: Memorable Vows from the Best TV and Movie Weddings

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BRIDES Washington DC: Best Bars for a Bar-Hopping Bachelorette

woman at a night club

Photo: Getty Images

In a town like Washington, D.C., why stick to just one bar or nightclub for your big night out before your big day? With tons of fun bars to choose from, more and more bachelorettes are turning their D.C. parties into all-night adventures by bar hopping with their besties for their last single night. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite D.C. spots for the bar-hopping bachelorette.

Dirty Bar
The glam décor and 1920s spirit of Dirty Bar will have you and your ladies singing along to the Moulin Rouge soundtrack in your heads (especially if you’re there on Saturday nights for the “Night in Paris” theme). Dripping with wine-colored accents, antique brick, dancing cages, and high, beam-exposed ceilings, this multilevel party space is a great spot for bachelorettes. With state-of-the-art sound systems and musical talent, you can dance (and drink) while listening to today’s pop and house hits provided by the hottest DJs. Added bonus: on Friday evenings groups of 6 ladies or more receive a free bottle of champagne!

Ultrabar
With 5 fun floors to choose from, Ultrabar serves as a nightclub, bar, and lounge with each versatile level. A long way from the bank it once was and located in the heart of Downtown D.C., this space offers something for everyone. With the Main Floor offering 2200 square feet of party lighting, DJs and bottle service tables, and other levels offering everything from lounge vibes, Spanish rhythms, private spaces, and endless entertainment.

See More: Start Taste Testing Wedding Meals With Our Favorite Local Caterers

Cantina Marina
Margaritas and waterfront views? Yes, please! Experience Mexico without ever leaving D.C. at Cantina Maria, located on the Southeast Waterfront. A bit of a hike from the city center (but a quick cab ride away), Cantina Maria’s outdoor patio is everything a bachelorette party could want. If your crew is hungry, their famous fish tacos, salads, and entrees are sure to keep everyone fueled for a night of celebrations. Offering an impressive assortment of tequilas and margaritas, specialty cocktails and cold beers, Cantina Marina is the perfect bachelorette destination for summer celebrations.

Churchkey’s
Beer loving babes, rejoice! “Five casks, 50 drafts, and 500 bottles of beer,” is this watering hole’s motto. Designed to celebrate and share its love of beer, Churchkey offers seemingly endless selections of brew, as well as wine and spirits. Amongst exposed beams and infrastructure, unique lighting, and dark wooden décor, Churchkey oozes industrial-chic vibes in a fun, modern atmosphere.

Biergarten House

This authentic German biergarten offers “a taste of Bavaria on Capitol Hill.” No matter the size of your bachelorette party, there’s room for everyone with a 400-patron capacity within this impressive space, despite your first impressions of the small front restaurant. Indoor and outdoor bars as well as a roof deck that overlooks the garden provide versatile spaces, and the extensive drink menu spans drafts, bottles, wines, and beer mixers, including the deliciously refreshing Lager and Sprite. If you’re looking for a relaxed and casual space to kick back with your girls, the Biergarten House is a perfect fit.

Need some help getting everything together for your upcoming wedding? Enlist the help of some of our favorite local vendors!

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BRIDES' 30 Day Wedding Shape-Up Challenge: Day 28, Banish Bloat

Banish Bloat Wedding Workout Plan

Photo: Getty Images

This is it… The final countdown to your big day. And along with settling those last few details — figuring out where to seat your eccentric Uncle Carl, firming up the flowers, deciding on your first dance song — you’re likely also making one last push to make sure the body that will be wearing that gorgeous white gown looks as good as it possibly can. You and nearly every other woman with an engagement ring on her finger. In fact, research shows that an overwhelming 91 percent of brides-to-be are anxious about their weight. But from here on out, you won’t have to be!

Whether you want to drop those last few pounds or look more toned — or both — we’ve got a month’s worth of daily tips (none of which require starving yourself or working out nonstop!) that will help you feel stunning and confident when you walk down that aisle. You know where to send the thank-you card. Let’s get started!

Day 28: Banish Bloat

The foods you eat during the next three days could make the difference between feeling lean and light, or wanting to pull on two layers of Spanx.

“Eating veggies like onions, broccoli, cabbage, kale and cauliflower — as nutritionally wonderful as they are — can cause gas. As can fizzy beverages (champagne included!),” says Vandana Sheth, R.D.N., a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. And, of course, steer clear of high sodium foods, which can cause serious water retention and bloating.

See More: 8 Sneaky Ways to Debloat in Just One Day

Check food labels before you dig in, because a surprising number of items — from bottled salad dressings to pasta sauces — are super high in the stuff. One brand of Italian dressing we came across had nearly 500 milligrams of sodium per serving — equal to about three servings of salty potato chips. You don’t need to count sodium grams all day, but as a general rule, if it has more than 300 milligrams per serving, skip it.

As for what to eat? Sheth recommends fruits and veggies that have a high water content — like cucumbers, celery, grapes and watermelon — which can actually help reduce any bloat you have. Dig in!

Just getting started on our 30 Day Wedding Shape-Up? Kick off your journey from Day One, here.

5 Ways to Collect Money at Your Wedding — Without a Card Box

One of the first things your wedding guests will be eyeballing when they arrive at your wedding is a place to drop off their gifts. Of course you want to do something with personality and style (not that a plain old card box is wrong!). Here, are 5 options of ways to collect gifts at your wedding that are unique and literally “out of the box”.

1. A Vintage Suitcase
Head to an antique store to find an old suitcase. Prop it open and place a sign inside and you have a perfect decor item, and a way to collect your gifts. Using a vintage suitcase is a great idea if you’re having a more rustic wedding.

2. Use a Piñata
This is a great way to add personality and fun to your wedding. Purchase a piñata that fits the theme or your fiesta or one that reflects your interests. Have the piñata hanging some place low so that when guests walk in, they can drop their envelopes inside it. When the night is over, you’ll have a game to play trying to crack open the piñata before you dive into your gifts.

3. Go With a Mailbox
Repurpose an old mailbox and use it as a place for guests to drop off gifts. You can paint the mailbox or decorate it with flowers, photographs or even use it as a guest book and have your guests sign it with a personalized message for you.

4. Find a Hat Box
Take an old hat box and decorate it to fit the theme of your wedding, whether you’re going for something that’s more modern and sleek or you’re planning on having a more rustic celebration. The hat box is an easy way for guests to deposit their gifts as soon as they walk in.

5. Customize a Burlap Sack
For an easy way to take your gifts home at the end of the night, have guests put them inside a burlap sack. Dress the sack up a bit by having a personalized message printed on it or by painting something on the front of it.

Jen Glantz is a “Professional Bridesmaid” and the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire. She’s the author of All My Friends Are Engaged and frequently wears old bridesmaid dresses to the grocery store and on first dates.

See More: How Can We Encourage Guests to Give Cash Instead of Buying Gifts?

What Should We Do if Guests Don't Follow Our Venue's Dress Code Restrictions?

No matter how hard you try, wedding guests won’t always follow your instructions. RSVPing by the deadline? Expect some stragglers (or some who never respond!). Asking for meal selections? Be prepared to make a few calls. Guidance on the dress code? Some will follow it, some won’t. But what if it’s more than guidance, and instead the dress code includes requirements from your venue? Here are some tips from our experts to deal with guests who don’t follow the attire rules.

If you’re having your wedding at a venue that has strict dress code requirements, from a place of worship that doesn’t allow bare shoulders to an historic building that prohibits stiletto heels, sharing the information clearly with your guests is the most you can do in advance. But once they’ve arrived, the last thing you want is to turn people away because they aren’t dressed properly!

Instead, be prepared with quick fixes to help out those who chose to ignore the memo. At a house of worship, have a few wraps available to cover shoulders or heads, and offer any headwear like yarmulkes that guests may not know to bring or might not personally own.

See more: From Black Tie to Casual: Wedding Guest Dress Code Explained

Worried about protecting floors? Plastic heel covers quickly convert stilettos into a wider heel. Many have rounded edges, making them extra floor-friendly. You could also offer flip flops or foldable flats for women to don if they’d be more comfortable removing their heels completely.

Are you having your wedding at a venue (such as a private club) that enforces its own dress code? Chances are printing “cocktail attire” on your invitation will prevent any guests from donning jeans, but you may want to include an insert specifying if men must wear a jacket and tie. Pick a dress code that will cover any of your venue’s rules, and have a few extra ties on-hand for those gentlemen who prefer an open collar.

WATCH: This Couple's Pennsylvania Farm Wedding Will Have You Dreaming of Fall

If you’ve been busy crossing tasks off your pre-wedding to-do list, we think you’ve earned a few minutes of relaxation — big day-related relaxation, that is. Take a break from planning and organizing and get some much-needed inspiration from our real weddings video channel. Packed with tons of adorable love stories from across the country and beyond. Each week we’ve been taking you inside one of our favorite new celebrations, and today we can’t get enough of Chris and Joann’s fall wedding on a Pennsylvania farm.

These newlyweds just might be the sweetest, most in love couple we’ve seen to date. Don’t believe us? Just check out the video Tree of Life Films captured of their big day. From pre-wedding portraits and getting ready straight through the ceremony and reception, this pair never stopped smiling and laughing. Their guests fed off that incredible energy, making the entire day a total blast for everyone in attendance.

See More: 17 Ideas for a Harvest-Inspired Wedding Tablescape

There are more than just the couple’s great attitudes to love about this video, though. Chris and Joann tied the knot at one of the prettiest venues we’ve ever seen for a fall wedding. The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm features expansive landscaping, a beautiful interior for the ceremony, and a peaked tent for the reception. With changing foliage and a knockout sunset as their backdrop, their day could not have been more synonymous with autumn.

Although there was some light rain, the bride and groom refused to let the weather put a damper on their day. The party went on with tons of dancing and even some impromptu dance floor shots. When guests finally had to head home for the night, the couple said their goodbyes with a sparkler exit.

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The 4 Running Lists Every Bride Should Maintain at All Times

Continuous Wedding To-Do Lists

Photo: Getty Images

Budgets, guest lists, important dates, to-do lists, and more can flood your mind and make what should be a fun and exciting time feel quite the opposite. Don’t worry — thanks to digital documents and smart phones, you can stay up-to-the-minute organized in an easy way, keep everything you need to know on you at all times — and ultimately save your sanity. Enjoy wedding planning a little bit more, by keeping these four running lists at all times.

Guest List & RSVPs
Once the dreaded initial draft of the guest list has been decided upon, create a Google Doc or something similar that is editable and instantly saved and shared including names, guests, and addresses. You’ll be grateful you’ve done this on a few occasions — once it comes time to assemble and mail invitations, tracking RSVP’s as they come in, and when it becomes time to make the seating arrangements, too.

To-Do
All Type-As out there rejoice — this one’s for you. Every single bride should keep a running list tasks, even if they have enlisted the help of a wedding planner or coordinator. If you think nothing is more satisfying than crossing off your to-do list, it’s 10x better for overwhelmed brides-to-be. Whether you prefer to keep it old school and use a trusty notebook or keep use an app for your planning needs, as long as you have one, you’ll be organized and accomplished daily.

Gifts Received
While traditionally your maid of honor or bridesmaid will be tasked with writing down what you receive and from whom at your bridal shower, you will likely receive gifts outside of that occasion too. As a gracious and thankful bride, keep a running list so that writing out thank you cards is a bit less overwhelming. It’s also great to save this list as an upcoming reference for when you’re a wedding guest, too!

“Day Of” List
It will be here before you know it and to keep your wedding morning focused on beauty, mimosas, and excitement you’ll need to make sure you have every single thing you need for the night before, day of, and morning after you say, “I do.” You may be surprised as to how much stuff you will need on hand for your big day, from the more obvious items like your gown and undergarments, to reception décor, toothpaste, and makeup remover — be sure you are prepared. Nothing is worse than a last-minute errand or snafu to throw off your positive pre-wedding vibes.

See More: 50 Things All Brides Should Do The Week of Their Wedding