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Karilyn
Dedicated September 2018

Drink Tickets Logistics

Karilyn, on March 27, 2018 at 5:05 PM

Posted in Wedding Reception 230

Okay, first, I know how many of you feel about drink tickets and say it's rude. Please know we've pretty much made up our mind based on the details below but wanted feedback on a few logistics. It doesn't appear we have another option unless we had a dry wedding so do not try to talk us out of it (a...

Okay, first, I know how many of you feel about drink tickets and say it's rude. Please know we've pretty much made up our mind based on the details below but wanted feedback on a few logistics.
It doesn't appear we have another option unless we had a dry wedding so do not try to talk us out of it (a friend got married at the same place and it turned out her open bar tab was $10,000 for only a slightly higher guest count). And no, beer and wine only are not something we're interested in, nor much cheaper anyhow since they charge by the drink and house wine is $8/glass; even soda is $4/ea. I've been to plenty of weddings and never expected an open bar so maybe it depends on where you're from.


Now, the reception package already includes complimentary wine service with dinner and a champagne toast. We are currently thinking of giving 2 drink tickets per person to use as they please. We will have a beverage table with lemonade, iced tea, coffee, water. Our main questions are:

1. Do the tickets move hands pretty easily on their own? (I know 2 drinks seems low but we are hoping/assuming some will likely drink nothing and they'll get passed on to the heavier drinkers).

2. How do we distribute the tickets? Right now we're thinking to put them on/under the name card that gives them their table number as well. We'd prefer for the reception hall not to get a hold of them to avoid unnecessary overcharging and we don't want to leave on the table since we're only doing assigned tables, not seats.

3. How should we communicate the fact that some wine and champagne will already be offered in addition to their tickets? Just put a simple message under their name placard with the drink tickets?

4. For those who have attended an event or wedding with tickets, how was it overall?


This isn't fine-tuned, but just a rough idea..... "Below are your tickets to be used for two complimentary alcoholic drinks. You will also receive complimentary wine service with dinner and a champagne toast will occur later in the evening."

230 Comments

  • Meaghan
    Dedicated September 2018
    Meaghan ·
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    My unpopular opinion: I like this idea. I have been to countless cash bar weddings and I would be happy with having a few drink tickets! I would hand the drink tickets out as people enter the reception. I wouldn’t give them out before the wedding Incase people lose them.

    It’s not bad hosting and if people would really get mad and leave after dinner because they had to buy a beer, then so be it.
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  • Bianca
    Super August 2019
    Bianca ·
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    Thank you for saying this. I’m from Toronto and have literally never been to a wedding with a cash bar. It would be laughable considering how inexpensive it is to host a wedding here with an open bar.
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  • mjfortwedding
    Expert April 2018
    mjfortwedding ·
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    If you do end up doing tickets and are worried about the tickets not being used bc they won’t switch hands you could have a basket at the bar for people who don’t need/ want their ticket and then the drinkers can see if there are any extra or give the extra to the bartender and if there’s tickets left then the batrtender can use that instead of charging them. We’re not having alcohol bc we are having our reception at the church and it’s not allowed but if we had a venue we’d be doing an open bar.
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  • Bianca
    Super August 2019
    Bianca ·
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    My cousins wedding had their cocktail hour bar open (they had an open bar from 6-1 but not during cocktail hour) and it cost them $2000 just for that. A $10000 bar tab doesn’t surprise me whatsoever.
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  • Cindy
    Beginner March 2018
    Cindy ·
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    I’ve been to a wedding where this was done. The couple paid for a certain amount of drinks, non alcoholic drinks included, and the rest was a cash bar. The couple had the bridal party go around the tables and personally hand people the tiquets. I honestly did not think it was a big deal. Most weddings i’ve been to only have a cash bar so it was nice to have two drinks on the couple and then only buy more if i wanted to.


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  • Priscilla
    Devoted August 2018
    Priscilla ·
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    I just went to a wedding where there was 10 of us at a table. Only the 3 guys drank. About 4 drinks each though. I would encourage guests to give tickets away if possible.

    Maybe set empty dishes on the tables to put un used tickets in so people who want more can have it.

    By the way. Good idea!
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  • C
    Savvy September 2018
    Caryn ·
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    In my opinion it's kind of harsh to say you wouldn't go to a wedding simply because they aren't offering you an open bar. In my opinion that is tacky and rude. As much as I love an open bar I would still go to a wedding without one to celebrate with the bride and groom.
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  • C
    Savvy September 2018
    Caryn ·
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    Can you make a sign to put near the bar explaining the tickets or with the place card have them in a cute envelope explaining how it works.
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  • A
    Expert June 2019
    Afterallthistime...Always ·
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    Read to the end, I promise I’m trying to be helpful and not critical.

    Let me just say, I don’t think drink tickets are a good idea. However, you seem set on this idea. I know you want answers to your questions, but most people on this site won’t be able to give you good feedback because they don’t think it’s a good idea in the first place.

    I think a better place to ask to ask these questions are either with your venue, your caterer, or your bartenders. I guarantee you will not be the first wedding they’ve worked with drink tickets involved. They could be a good source of information on the logistics of how others have done it. And they will not judge you for doing drink tickets because you will most likely not be the first person they’ve dealt with in your situation. Just a thought! Good luck, I hope they can be more helpful to you!
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  • Adriana
    Expert October 2017
    Adriana ·
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    I tried to read all the comments and I’m still confused. Also. i apologize if this was answered in the few comments I skipped. If the issue is that you don’t trust your venue, how are the tickets going to prevent them from over charging you? Are you going to pre-pay for 2 or 4 drinks per person before hand? If that’s the case why hand tickets out at all? Especially if you are okay with them changing hands? Just have a cap on the bar and when it reaches that amount have it switch to cash bar. (I am not advocating cash bar, I am just trying to understand the ticket concept since OP is set on only paying for x amount of drinks.)
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  • JNav
    Devoted September 2017
    JNav ·
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    Seems like your actually taking suggestions into consideration and this way it doesn’t come off rude to your guests and you don’t have to come out of pocket. A friend of mine actually did that at her wedding. Where we are it’s a little unheard of since venues ofer open bar included in the plate. However it worked out for everyone. They had a couple of select liquors and beer for cocktail hour and shut it down shortly before dinner. So about 2 hours. I really hope you figure this situation out & good luck
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  • Karilyn
    Dedicated September 2018
    Karilyn ·
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    Update for new commenters: we’re likely just moving to a capped-consumption bar and closing it during dinner. Once it’s out it’s out (but it’s based on an estimate of their actual consumption) but we shouldn’t hit it until the end of the night if at all.
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  • Karilyn
    Dedicated September 2018
    Karilyn ·
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    Thank you. Glad to hear it wasn’t too bad!
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  • JNav
    Devoted September 2017
    JNav ·
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    It’s not that they aren’t providing open bar. It just comes off and extremely tacky and cheap. Like you’re literally limiting what I can drink (soda included) that’s a “wtf” moment and would just stay home instead of feeling like a child
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  • K
    Dedicated June 2018
    Katherine ·
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    I would say create a cute little sign when they first walk into the reception area. Like a chalkboard thing or something. And create a rhyme with it or cute saying.

    Thank you for celebrating. Please grab your escort card and tickets. Wine and champagne will be served during dinner, use the tickets for before and after. If wine and champagne is perfect for you, pass the tickets along and make a friend you never knew.

    Come up with a cute way!!
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  • K
    Devoted September 2018
    kNrYwC ·
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    If guests will be purchasing their drinks after their tickets are up why don't you just offer the two glasses of wine + champagne during dinner, unlimited soft drinks and make it a cash bar? You'd save some money, there'd be less confusion. As a guest if I'm going to end up purchasing my drinks at the end of this night, I can purchase them in the beginning, too.


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  • Teresa
    Super September 2018
    Teresa ·
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    I have been to multiple events which did drinks tickets. It was even an idea our venue coordinator suggested. They worked just fine. The ones I have attended gave 2 or 3 tickets and no one had an issue passing around leftover tickets. We would just say "we have extra tickets would you like them?" I think a cute sign like PP advised is a great idea, I just think adults will figure it out though. Also since you said soda, water and other non alcoholic beverages were not going to be "ticketed" I think 4 is absolutely enough. Some people will have 2 and just give away the other 2.
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  • P
    Devoted July 2018
    Precious Stone ·
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    This ideology even makes her decision very easy and legit. According to "etiquette". It's not the value of a gift that matters but the thought right? So in regards to your explanation the guest should appreciate whatever they are served cos it's a gift for them and the thought is what matters. "Easy does it"
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  • P
    Devoted July 2018
    Precious Stone ·
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    Karilyn, a little advice for you. Do not go and pressurize your FH into having an open bar or all the other options stated besides yours. Your guest are yours and you know them better. I am sure you and FH know your guest won't mind, that's why you both came up with this idea. Stick to it if it work perfectly for you both. I see you writing "I will go back to the drawing board ", girl you do not have to. Stick to your plan, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Again do not put pressure on FH for an open bar, you doing that can cause issues in your relationship and all those here preaching etiquette will be happily enjoying their marriage or wedding planning.
    Ps: No need posting stuffs your and FH have firmly made a decision on. At the end it's what makes you both happy and not a third party. Learn from this.
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  • P
    Devoted July 2018
    Precious Stone ·
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    This is excellent
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