Controlling an Open Bar Tab?

AmyCRobM · October 2010

We are getting married in a week (eep!) We are planning on having an open bar for our cocktail hour, closing it to beer, wine, and soda for dinner (from 6-8), and then opening the bar back up from 8-10. We would like to control the tab (we have some big drinkers)...do you think it would be appropriate to distribute 3 drinks for hard liquor to each guest? I think the cocktail hour would be completely open, but after that, it would be limited to people with tickets...is this tacky? Or do you have any other ideas?

Thanks!
Amy

kaesha · October 2010

Yeah, I think the tickets are tacky. I don't think it's good hosting form to try and control your guests that way. They're adults (and guests), and they deserve to be treated as such. On top of that, I think it'll be a logistical nightmare that you don't need to have going on. I'd say you need to either just need to suck up that cost or you need to limit the choice at the bar from the beginning to say wine, beer and a signature cocktail or two.

JustKate · October 2010

I think it's too confusing to have it completely open at one time and then tickets for another. I like the tickets idea, we are doing tickets too, but it needs to be consistent. We are actually going to advertise that it's a cash bar so guests are aware and then have some beer and wine pre-purchased and set up for guests to grab. We would love to host a fully open bar but have to control the budget. We can't afford to have the unknowns. We thought it was better to have them assume they are on their own for their tab and surprise them with a few drinks.

brianabrad · October 2010

A friend of mine had a dollar amount cap at her wedding. When the bar total got close the venue told her mom or another responsible individual who made the call to close the open bar and go to cash or to up the amount. After the wedding she said this worked really well for them because they were able to control the amount without the guest really know.

JustKate · October 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_controlling-open-bar-tab?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:76741f61-2ee4-4240-bae0-faabdf7fd35dPost:1882d918-0f5d-440b-92c3-c436c4d0c63f">Re: Controlling an Open Bar Tab?</a>:
[QUOTE]A friend of mine had a dollar amount cap at her wedding. When the bar total got close the venue told her mom or another responsible individual who made the call to close the open bar and go to cash or to up the amount. After the wedding she said this worked really well for them because they were able to control the amount without the guest really know.
Posted by brianabrad[/QUOTE

I attended a wedding where they capped and flipped to cash bar but we the guests had no idea we needed cash. It was a true cash bar, no cards accepted. My FI had to leave the reception and run to the bank and come back. He missed the beginning of dinner because the cap was met during cocktail hour. My advice would be to just keep your guests informed of plans. If they need to bring money, most don't mind but they want to know ahead of time.

SaraAndrew2010 · October 2010

Serve what you can afford. Don't make guests pay for drinks and definitely don't have tickets. Your wedding isn't a carnival.

I think it's much better to just serve beer and wine (and maybe a signature cocktail) all night than to have guests pay or use to tickets.

kimp67 · October 2010

I would do what a pp said. Have wine & beer plus only a few other types of drinks provided by you.

MommyMarta08 · October 2010

Just limit the whole event to beer, wine and signature drink. I also think it's confusing to do open, closed, open. Drink tickets are tacky- PP is right, your wedding is not a carnival. Also, I would be pretty pissed if someone was loading up on Johnny Walker Black and I went up for my Diet Coke and Vodka and was denied because the guy before me caused the bar to reach your deemed maximum. That looks REALLY bad.

Lisa50 · October 2010

Keep a beer, wine and soft drink bar open all night.

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