This is a thread that was started in our old BlissWeddings.com forums by munchkin on 01/24/2005.
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posted by munchkin
After reading the numerous discussions on open bars, I'd like to run this by you ladies.
My FSIL gave each guest two drink tickets, and those could be used to get their drinks (alcoholic drinks, pop etc was as much as you wanted)
After the two drink tickets ran out, the guests had to pay for their extra drinks.
This way, if someone didn't want to drink, they could give their tickets to someone else who did want to.
Was this an okay alternative to the cash bar/open bar thing?
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posted by HeatherR
I'm not a fan of the ticket idea at all. (Sorry!) I would rather see an hour or two of open bar as opposed to handing out tickets.
Heather
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posted by feb-bride
I'm NOT a fan of the tickets. Seems like you're at a carnival or a rock concert.
You could always serve wine and beer only. You could serve liquor for the first two hours and then switch to non-alcoholic beverages only. You could opt to have a couple of bottles of wine on each table and a champagne toast, and go liquor-free other than that.
All of these options are better than tickets, IMO.
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posted by syringa
I'm also not a fan of tickets. Some guests don't drink and they are happy to give their tickets to others. It is much easier to either host only beer and wine or to host the bar for a couple of hours then switch to a cash bar. When my clients choose to do that, we place a sign on the bar that says "Bar will be hosted until (time)." That way, guests know what to expect and they are not surprised to get a drink for free, then later be charged for the same drink.
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posted by munchkin
I'm not planning on using this idea, but I just thought it was interesting and wanted to see what you ladies thought of it.
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posted by wynelle
Not a big fan of the ticket system. Don't really see a purpose of it except to say "We're too cheap to pay for you to have enough to drink." Same thing with a cash bar. If you can't afford it, don't do it half-assed. Do what you can afford, and if that means no alcohol except for the champagne toast, then no alcohol. Or beer/wine/soft drinks. Or full bar. But don't charge people for the right to come to your wedding.
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posted by Charmed
I think it depends on your famlies.
In my huge (and I mean HUGE) family, I cannot afford to have an open bar, but I do want to have alchahol available. So what I decided to do is make home made wine for the tables, and have a cash bar for the guests.
Some may think this is tacky, but it is perfectally 'normal' in my family. All of my cousins that have gotten married so far did the drink ticket thing as well, and I did not find it at all tacky. It just depends on your family more than anything, and what they would find acceptable or tacky.
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posted by the mom
Hi, I agree, it is completely acceptable to hand out drink tickets at your reception. I know that what I am saying may not be agreeable to all, but, all of our circumstances are different! If we were all to limit the amount of our guests to the amount we can afford to pay for alcohol, that would be a sad day. Alcohol is not a requirement at any event, and the fact that you would like to share your day with friends and family is more important than giving them all free drinks.
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posted by feb-bride
Just curious - why would it be SAD if we only serve as much liquor as we can afford? As long as the guests are being provided with some sort of beverage for the duration of the reception, it doesn't need to be non-stop liquor.
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posted by syringa
I question, as did Feb Bride, why it would be sad not to provide a huge supply of alcohol. It is fine to have an alcohol-free reception if the bride and groom choose to do so. Serving alcohol in any amount at a wedding is not mandatory.
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posted by HeatherR
I think she's referring to limiting the number of guests based on how much alcohol you could afford. That would be sad...
Heather
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posted by suechick
I think drink tickets are a good idea, as long as you make sure the reception facility/bar are fully aware of how you are handling the drink situation.
My parents recently went to a wedding where they were given 4 drink tickets each for the reception. They went up to get a drink and the bartender and he said to hold on, and had to ask the banquet captain what was included. He came back & told them the total, saying only beer & wine were included in their ticket. They were not upset, just confused at the process.
The bride's family was given drink tickets for any alcohol they chose. I think you have to make sure you are consistent with every guest and make sure things are setup to run smoothly.
*sue
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posted by the mom
Yes, I am referring to limiting the number of guests to how much alcohol you can afford. We do have to put limits on guests, according to our budget, brides everywhere are working hard to try to reduce the costs of their weddings, things like making your own invitations and such, and if limiting the amount of free alcohol allows you to invite a few more special persons to celebrate your special day with, that is a very important thing. A wedding is about sharing your special day with special people.
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posted by feb-bride
The key to being able to supply "unlimited" drinks on a budget is to have your reception in a place where you're allowed to bring your own liquor. That's what we did. My dad and I started buying wine and beer a couple of months before the wedding. By the time the wedding came, we had more than enough. We had approximately 125 guests, the reception lasted for approximately 7 hours, and we still had 25 to 30 bottles of wine left, as well as several cases of beer, soda, water, etc.
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posted by SuzyBride
I am having a cash bar, but a selection of drinks will be free to guests. I will provide beer and maybe wine, but if someone wants something else, they will have to pay for it. I see this option as somewhat of a happy medium. And where I am from, this is common and non-offensive.
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posted by mrsyarwood2b
Suzy,
That is what we have decided to do, as well. While I would LOVE to be able to pay for all the alcohol, realistically all I can afford is to host the wine and beer and soft drinks.
When I lamented over the fact that I would not have a completely cash bar, all of my bridesmaids said it was no big deal. I am providing some beverages and those who prefer something else have it available.
Apparently, this is pretty common around here. I don't really attend a lot of weddings, so I was unsure.
Aimee "Yarwood"
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posted by suechick
One of my friends just told me that for her wedding in August, they are doing open beer & wine, and they have hired a bartender to make their favorite signature drinks. They each chose 3. So they will have 6 drinks available & beer & wine. She is purchasing all the alcohol, and said, after paying the bartender, she is going to be saving almost $400.
It's a cute idea! Thought I would share.
*sue
not a completely open bar
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