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Bar - 1 free voucher, but left bar open

sew0159sew0159
10 Comments
in Wedding Cakes & Food Forum
I've seen a lot of posts about how using drink tickets is not a good idea. It would seem like we're monitoring and babysitting our guests. My FI and I are having an extreme budget wedding and we cannot afford to have an open bar, but we want alcohol there. We also don't really like the idea of asking people to pay for their own drinks. Would it be okay if we offered one free voucher, but still left the bar open if they wanted to purchase their own drinks after the voucher is used up?

From what I can see from the other posts, people are asking if only one drink per person. I may have it wrong, though. Sorry if this is like the millionth post about the same question!! Please feel free to refer me to another thread if someone has asked this exact same question and has had a decent amount of responses.
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Re: Bar - 1 free voucher, but left bar open

  • jagore08jagore08 member
    Seventh Anniversary 5000 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    If you and your FI are on a tight budget then I suggest having an open beer and wine bar.  I think it's inappropriate to ask guests to open their wallet for anything at a hosted event.  I don't usually carry any cash on me so I wouldn't be too happy arriving at a wedding that had a cash bar.  Try to find a way to host a bar so your guests don't have to whip out their wallet.
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  • NOLAbridealmostNOLAbridealmost member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I am not sure I understand. Are you saying your voucher would be for more than 1 drink?  

    EIther way, it doesn't really matter. Neither one is an acceptable solution, etiquette-wise.  I think the beer and wine only suggestion is really good.   I don't know if your venue allows you to bring in your own liquor, but a couple kegs and cases of wine can easily be done for under 400 dollars. 
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  • Simply FatedSimply Fated member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011
    If you want alcohol at your wedding, then you should figure out a way to pay for it. Even if you have just beer and wine for starters.
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  • sew0159sew0159
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Well, there will be about 15 people at the wedding max. It'll be at a local restaurant in our small town (less than 2,000 ppl). Neither my FI nor I like wine, so we weren't going to offer that. When I spoke to the restaurant owner, he suggested having drinks that my FI and I love, which are anything Sam Adams, and daiquiries/martinis. He is the one who actually suggested to offer the free voucher. The bar will be open regardless, but it isn't a cash bar. It would be through the restaurant bar so CC/DC would be accepted.

    $400 is still just way too expensive for us. We're trying to cut costs any way we can. The reason we're having the reception at this restaurant is because the owner is letting us use it free since we live in this town.

    Would it be tacky if I asked my guests if that would be okay since there will be so few?

    However, either way, I will heed your advice and consider having an open bar or no alcohol at all.
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  • Simply FatedSimply Fated member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011
    I agree with Milk Duds. The amount of people at your reception doesn't change my opinion. In fact, because it's only 15 people, it only reinforces my opinion that if YOU want alcohol at your wedding, then YOU need to come up with the money, not your guests. The reception is for your guests. You should be a good hostess and offer them drinks they'll like. Focus in them. Your guests might not be as honest as us. Why risk that?
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  • jessicabessicajessicabessica member
    2500 Comments Third Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I like the idea of having a few bottles of wine on the tables and some buckets or pitchers of Sam Adams.  The restaurant owner is wrong--you don't just offer what you love.  Many people like drinking wine at meals, and if you offer beer, you and your FI will still have a drink you like.  

    And sidenote, a cash bar doesn't mean you have to pay cash.  A bar where guests pay for their drinks is a cash bar, even if they can pay with credit card.  Since it's at a restaurant, you likely can't stop your guests from going to the bar and buying something that you are not hosting, but you can still do your best to host them properly.  
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  • arrabellearrabelle
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Sam Adams, daiquiries and martinis can be pretty specific tastes.  I personally don't love any of those.

    I would offer a combination of one of your favorites, plus something a little more standard.  A few buckets of Sam Adams and a few bottles of wine on the tables would be a great way to host your guests.

    Another vote for don't ask your guests.  You know them, so host something they like.
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  • NOLAbridealmostNOLAbridealmost member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I said that a couple kegs/cases would be 400 dollars when I thought you were having a more typical sized wedding. 

    You can make awesome drunken things happen for WAY less than that for 15 people. 

    Set the cap with the venue at 2-3 pitchers of Sam Adams, 2-3 pitchers of other light beer, and 2 bottles of red and 2 bottles of white.  That shouldn't cost more than 200 dollars.  If it does, that place is gouging you. 
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  • sew0159sew0159
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks, guys. Definitely appreciate the feedback and will look into the costs.
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