we've covered this before

lilgina64

and I hate to bring it up again...

but I remember someone had really great examples of a "bar menu" to display for guests to explain that beer/wine/soft drinks were covered by the bride, but that guests could purchase hard liquor at their own expense.

examples? bios? knotties to ask?

TIA!

opalsky007

ETA: This is our menu. We didn't have to deal with the limited open bar deal, but I listed the wines first since they were a special order and prepaid. I wanted to encourage people to go after that stuff first.

danieliza1127

The one Opalsky posted, while nice, doesn't indicate that the guests are responsible for paying for anything, in my opinion anyway.

If you added "for a minimal charge" under the "We are also pleased to offer" then I think you'd be covered.

squirrly

Please enjoy
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX

Compliments of the bride and groom.

ETA:  If they see vodka and it's not listed on your menu, they'll get the hint.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

What Squirrly said is how I've seen it done.

lilgina64

Ok thank you!

We are doing open bar for beer/wine/soft drinks but I was originally not going to offer hard liquor at all. But not really for any specific reason. The venue doesnt allow people to do shots so that wasn't my fear.
Then I figured maybe there would be a few people who would like the option of a different drink. So just to be absolutely clear...

it's not tacky to do an open bar with beer/wine/soft drinks and then have hard booze be at the expense of the guest if they so choose to have that, right?

opalsky007

I like squirrly's idea, and sorry for my reading comprehension fail before. That's what I get for trying to multitask.

danieliza1127

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_weve-covered-this-before?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:285cbaa0-7dd7-4176-b0bd-7228108230f3Post:57e32103-2208-4c77-95bc-807e4888a668">Re: we've covered this before</a>:
[QUOTE] it's not tacky to do an open bar with beer/wine/soft drinks and then have hard booze be at the expense of the guest if they so choose to have that, right?
Posted by lilgina64[/QUOTE]

A lot of people around here say it is tacky.  That you should only offer what you can afford to host.  Personally, I wouldn't be offended if you gave me the option of paying for a liquor drink.  I would stick with the free stuff, but I wouldn't offended at all.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

I'd do that Gina. I wouldn't point out what they CAN'T have, and I think Squirrly's sign does that, by pointing out what is hosted. But if they see Maker's Mark on a shelf and decide they want an MM and coke, they'll realize they need to pay for it.

scoetto

I like Dani's suggestion by adding "For a minimal charge".

lilgina64

Ok so basically I can get away with saying...

Please enjoy
domestic beer brands
imported beer brands
wine brands
and soft drinks

compliments of the bride and groom.

For a minimal charge
vodka
gin
jack daniels
is available

? sound about right? or no? please feel free to tweak my wording. My crowd is really laid back about this kind of stuff but I just feel better knowing I'm at least TRYING to be good about it.