Drinks tickets?

cac7777 · May 2011

FI and I aren't able to host an open bar at our reception, but even though we can't go all-out, we'd at least like to host a round of drinks. I've heard of some girls including drinks tickets in their invitations so that guests can still choose what they'd like to drink (wine, beer, signature drink, or soft drink), but they only get a limited number. Thoughts? Is this tacky or acceptable?

For those who have done this, what did the tickets look like? Did you mail them with the invitation?

cac7777 · May 2011

Yeah, I wondered if it might be--we're in hosting full on drinks for a light hors d'oeuvres reception, the cocktail hour, and the dinner, but thought it would be nice for people to have a little something while the dancing is going. There will be non-alcoholic stuff like water, tea, coffee, and juice during the night, but wanted to give one last drink.Thx for your thoughts--good to know!

achiduck · May 2011

Drink tickets are pretty popular in my area. I've been to two DT weddings that went over very well. In both cases non-alcoholic beverages were available to guests all night for free and only the alcoholic drinks required tickets. I am not a big drinker, so I've never had to pay for a drink at a DT wedding.

That being said, it's much better to host your guests properly within the budget. If that means only beer and wine, or non-alcoholic drinks and a signature cocktail, or even only non-alcoholic drinks so be it.

Beverly8 · May 2011

I agree with the PPs. I would host what you are able to afford. I do think the drink tickets are a little tacky. Just have beer/wine and soda if you can fit that into your budget! good luckk

Milsey32 · May 2011

I don't like the idea of DTs at all. However, to answer your question - don't put them in the invitation because I would be SUPER peeved if I lost them somehow because then I couldn't drink ANYTHING at your wedding without paying for it. Please just provide what you can afford. Generally non-alcoholic should be free. Also, consider a keg and/or boxed wine to save on costs.

kittiei · May 2011

In my area, drink tickets are very popular. I don't think I've been to a wedding without them actually and I've never heard a single person complaing that they had to pay for drinks (if two free drinks aren't enough). At most of the weddings I've been to, each guest got two tickets at the door. Usually the bar is a toonie bar so drinks are pretty cheap. This just makes it possible for guests to drink what they want without the wedding hosts breaking the bank.

cac7777 · May 2011

Hi girls,

Yeah, so I think I'm going to skip the drinks tickets idea and just put a sum behind the bar for wine and beer and our signature drink (mulled wine--November wedding). When that runs out, so do the drinks. The best solution is usually the simplest, right?? Thx for the input, everyone.

HBaker82407 · May 2011

Not a fan of the drink tickets

blush64 · May 2011

I think what you are going to do is fine. Do what you can afford, no one can fault you for that.

I also don't agree with drink tickets and I have never been to a wedding with them. I actually haven't heard of a wedding with them in my area at all.

Mandalynn9112 · May 2011

I've been to weddings where the couple do this. I think it's nice but I wouldn't include the ticket with the invites just in case they can't make the wedding. I would have a designated person hand them out as guests arrive at the reception. My cousin had "Host Couples" like my parents and my other aunt and uncle. They greated guests, made sure they signed the guest book, put gifts on the table etc and also handed out drink tickets.

I think guests will appreciate the first free drink and its not tacky at all. That's just my opinion though.

Another idea is to maybe get a couple of kegs to have behind the bar. Guests can get free beer until the kegs run dry and no one will know its keg beer.

I've read that it's tacky to not have an open bar but then again not everyone can afford to have an open bar. So like PP said do what you can afford but most importantly do what you feel will make you wedding even more spectacular than it already will be.

love2nap · May 2011

If you can, I would recommend switching it to a cash bar after your amount runs out, just so if people still want to drink they can. I've been to a few weddings where they put a limit on the bar "when we reach $1,000, switch to cash"-- and it typically lasted through dinner. I think that's fine.

We had 110 people at our wedding and we did a full open bar where we had to provide the liquor to the venue, for 5 hours and we only spent $1600 on alcohol and my guests had a really, really good time

MyNameIsNot · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_drinks-tickets?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:e7fc5b05-2164-46cb-ba9f-3eb379b88d1cPost:083b5844-47e4-4427-ba38-62c2bd3fd351">Re: Drinks tickets?</a>:
[QUOTE]Hi girls, Yeah, so I think I'm going to skip the drinks tickets idea and just put a sum behind the bar for wine and beer and our signature drink (mulled wine--November wedding). When that runs out, so do the drinks. The best solution is usually the simplest, right?? Thx for the input, everyone.
Posted by cac7777[/QUOTE]

<div>This is perfect. Do not switch to cash. It is always rude to ask your guests to cover the difference when your funds run out. When the bar runs out, it should close. </div><div>
</div><div>If you shop frugally, it shouldn't be too expensive to get enough beer, wine & siggy drink to cover for the majority of the night. Since it is common to close the bar for the last 30 mins-hour anyway, people probably won't even notice if it can stretch it out. </div>

Fireworks061510 · May 2011

We can't afford an open bar either..

So we bought 2 kegs.. guests get that for free...(redneck-ish. I know. But it's behind a bar with a tendor & everything.)
Any other "specialty drinks" they are going to have to put up for themselve.. not being selfish or snobby. Just really can't afford it. We're both really young... Also having (Chick Fila) Lemonade, Sweet Tea, some kind of Juice, & Water available...

sketne25 · May 2011

I know a lot of people have issues with drink tickets, but we're using them; use them if that's what you want to do. It really does save money, which is nice, but we also have several functioning alcoholics in our families that simply cannot be trusted with an open bar. These people would actually fight and drive drunk if allowed. So there will be no cash bar, either! GL!

NOLAbridealmost · May 2011

OP seems to be on the right track, but PPs: drink tickets are rude. Period. I don't care if it "saves you money." So would not inviting your married friends' spouses or only letting the wedding party eat dinner. Guests will not sympathize with your cost-cutting measure and will side-eye you like crazy.

Simply set an amount of alcohol and when it runs out close the bar.

MyNameIsNot · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_drinks-tickets?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:e7fc5b05-2164-46cb-ba9f-3eb379b88d1cPost:595ff10b-4830-44ac-87af-591d5ee0b421">Re: Drinks tickets?</a>:
[QUOTE]I know a lot of people have issues with drink tickets, but we're using them; use them if that's what you want to do. It really does save money, which is nice, but we also have several functioning alcoholics in our families that simply cannot be trusted with an open bar. These people would actually fight and drive drunk if allowed. So there will be no cash bar, either! GL!
Posted by sketne25[/QUOTE]

<div>Charging a cover would save you money, too. That doesn't change the fact that it is incredibly rude.</div>

katelyn26 · May 2011

ive served for wedding receptions and theyve done drink tickets and those work out well good luck

marinabreeze · May 2011

Not a fan of drink tickets. I don't recall ever attending a wedding with them. The idea of having people open their wallets at a hosted reception is tacky IMO. Also, drink tickets are unfair to those who don't know a lot of people at the wedding, since non-drinkers will probably give their tickets to others they do know who are in attendance.

I think that PPs have great suggestions, like having a set amount then closing the bar (NOT switching to a cash bar), providing beer/wine/maybe sig drink only, or even having a dry reception are all acceptable, etiquette-friendly options.

Magdeline687 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_drinks-tickets?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:e7fc5b05-2164-46cb-ba9f-3eb379b88d1cPost:3164dac3-4ccd-4c5e-96a2-3695d0d4c580">Re: Drinks tickets?</a>:
[QUOTE]I think that PPs have great suggestions, like having a set amount then closing the bar (NOT switching to a cash bar)
Posted by marinabreeze[/QUOTE]

I wonder if there is any guest anywhere who would actually prefer to have the bar close rather than switch to a cash bar.

lyndausvi · May 2011

I'm not a fan of drink tickets. But if you are going to go that route at least give out more than 2 drinks. 4-5 seems a little more reasonable.

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