In a nutshell, you are going to host a party to celebrate your union. In legal terms, you are a “social host”. Before throwing the party, you should know that a social host has certain liabilities. As a sociable host, you can serve alcohol at the party, it is not forbidden by the law. But the law requires you to be a responsible host. That means, you are not supposed to serve alcohol to a guest you know has already been intoxicated and is going to drive. Intoxication can be noticed when the person shows signs that he is completely unable to take care of himself at the time. You can be held liable if the person gets involved in an accident and injures themselves on the way home.
You can also be held liable for an injury to an alcohol intoxicated guest at your party, if the injury takes place on your property. Occupier of a property refers to anyone who has the power over the property and over entry and exclusion of people to the property. You can be held liable as an occupier if you have shown negligence towards the activities taking place on the property, the physical conditions of the property and the conduct of your guests in it.
Here are a few steps, you as the host, can take to avoid being sued.
1) If your wedding party consists of a large crowd, do not handle the responsibility of serving alcohol yourself. It is better to serve drinks than to provide a self service bar. Hire a professional bartender. This way you can avoid a guest getting over drunk.
2) When you are serving alcohol in your premises, prevent drunken guests from getting into potentially harmful activities like swimming, boating, etc. If you have to, create barriers to these areas on your property (i.e. rope off the pool, lake, entrances to your home, etc.) so that it is not easily accessed.
3) Keep the physical conditions of your property free from any potential hazards, if you are hosting a party there. Check for any risks and get them fixed before the party.
4) Hire security. They can assist with crowd control and tastefully remove any unruly guests.
5) Provide transportation. If guests are too intoxicated to drive, appoint a designated driver for them or pay for a taxi to take them to their hotel or residence.
Bottom line – take the right precautions. You don’t want one of the happiest days in your life ruined by having to stand before Judge Mathis months after it’s over!
Do you guys have any juicy horror stories related to drunk wedding guests?
Blissfully Yours,
Sam
P.S. Stressed out planning your wedding?
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© 2005-2012 Samantha Dockery, Bliss By Sam Weddings and Occasions Planners
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Samantha Dockery is the owner of Bliss by Sam Weddings and Occasions, a premier wedding and event planning company. Get your {FREE} e-guide “10 Planner Secrets Every Busy Bride Must Know To Save Time & Money” at www.blissbysam.com.
Samantha Dockery
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