Semi Open Bar

muroj

My fiance and I are struggling on deciding on wether or not to have a full bar or not. I thought it would be a good idea to offer beer and wine and a couple signiture drinks. I just came accross cute tickets that say "this ones on us" on weddingstar.com. Not sure if it would be easier to send out a few tickets to each invite, so they can drink what they want, or keep our original idea.

GoodLuckBear14

Do not do tickets.  Serve what you can afford.

lthom17

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_semi-open-bar?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:e98c11b9-dc15-4080-88e2-dea199ccc992Post:21dedda3-b7bf-4682-8cf4-0d7fa20b7449">Semi Open Bar</a>:
[QUOTE] I thought it would be a good idea to offer beer and wine and a couple signiture drinks.
Posted by muroj[/QUOTE]

That sounds good to me! 

Beachy730

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_semi-open-bar?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:e98c11b9-dc15-4080-88e2-dea199ccc992Post:21dedda3-b7bf-4682-8cf4-0d7fa20b7449">Semi Open Bar</a>:
[QUOTE]My fiance and I are struggling on deciding on wether or not to have a full bar or not. I thought it would be a good idea to offer beer and wine and a couple signiture drinks. I just came accross cute tickets that say "this ones on us" on weddingstar.com. Not sure if it would be easier to send out a few tickets to each invite, so they can drink what they want, or keep our original idea.
Posted by muroj[/QUOTE]

<div>Do not do drink tickets.  Host what you can afford to host all ngiht.  If that means beer, wine, and some signature drinks, that's great.</div>

lyndausvi

No drink tickets.

Beer, wine and a signature drinks are perfectly fine.

fwiw -  I do not find  "this one is on us" to be cute.   When I'm formally INVITED to an event, I expect everything offered to be on the hosts.   

jessicabessica

Nothing wrong with beer, wine, and a sig cocktail.

In the event you are not persuaded and do drink tickets, I don't think it's a good idea to send them out in the invitations if that's what you're suggesting you would do.  I doubt people will remember to bring them. 

LessThanZero

Do the beer, wine and a signature drink or at the very least beer and wine if that's all you can afford. Drink tickets are not a good idea.

Hellokatie0517

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_semi-open-bar?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:e98c11b9-dc15-4080-88e2-dea199ccc992Post:50ff3b61-8d7c-4ab8-9516-6156517eab4f">Re: Semi Open Bar</a>:
[QUOTE]No drink tickets. Beer, wine and a signature drinks are perfectly fine. fwiw -  I do not find  "this one is on us" to be cute.   When I'm formally INVITED to an event, I expect everything offered to be on the hosts.   
Posted by lyndausvi[/QUOTE]


Couldn't agree more.

acwm

Beer, wine and signature drink are fine. Drink tickets are not fine. 

aegrish

ditto PP.  If anything cut out the signature cocktail and keep it to beer and wine to save $.

janicejab

  You'll probably get less than favorable responses to having drink tickets on TK. I think it depends on where you live and what is typical in your circle of friends and family. There are some regions where a cash bar is the norm, so drink tickets may be received well. I wouldn't put them in the invitation though.
  That being said, I personally wouldn't expect my guests to pay for anything when I am hosting them. I would do what I can afford. If that's beer and wine only, that's ok. If I could afford a signature drink too, that's even better. I also see an issue with tickets because I would be restricted to having only as many drinks as I have tickets for or paying for my own drinks, which isn't going to happen at my reception. You have to remember that as a good hostess, if it's good enough for your guests, it's good enough for you too, so you can't expect them to use tickets or pay if you aren't willing to do the same.

michelle7102

Drink tickets are tacky.  Stick with wine and beer.  If a guest MUST have a cocktail they can buy their own rum and coke or whatever.

Beachy730

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_semi-open-bar?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:e98c11b9-dc15-4080-88e2-dea199ccc992Post:0f6ad8d1-42e5-45fb-9366-78b4b9b0c432">Re: Semi Open Bar</a>:
[QUOTE]Drink tickets are tacky.  Stick with wine and beer.  If a guest MUST have a cocktail they can buy their own rum and coke or whatever.
Posted by michelle7102[/QUOTE]

<div>No, that's not okay.  Guests should not have to open their wallet at your wedding at all.  Would you charge them for steak if they wanted it?  No, you would either pay for the steak, or not have it as an otion.  It should be the same for the bar.  Beer and wine only is fine.  </div>

Hellokatie0517

When my company could still afford holiday parties, each guest was granted 2 drink tickets.  You don't want your guests feeling like they're going to a company function.

vexie

As a PP mentioned... this is a bit of a touchy subject here at the knot.  However...  I personally like the drink ticket idea (just please don't send them with the invites!)  Cash bars are the norm where I'm from and people don't complain or find it tacky at all.   Normally wine is provided during the cocktail hour and dinner... then it's tickets and/or a cash bar for the reception.  If you're on a tight budget then this is the best way to stick to it.

Good luck with what ever you decide. Only you know your community, your friends/family and what is considered acceptable in your circle.

bsn1752

Cash bars and drink tickets are not a "regional thing", and personally, I find that excuse silly.

I think that you should serve what you can - I had beer, wine and a signature drink, and everyone was very content with the choices they were given.

MikeF&SarahC

One place we were thinking of suggested doing a chas bar before dinner, wine service with dinner then open the bar after dinner.  They said people did this option to help ensure people were still poised during the most photographed portion of the reception.

trix1223

beer, wine, signature drink:  good
drink tickets:  bad.  very bad.