Ways to Identify Guests..

Maybe do guests cards? Require that guests show the card in order for the staff to know they’re part of the party. You can probably find a template and do it on word for free.

Is your RD not in a private room or separate area of the venue? If it is, the venue should be restricted to only serving the passed appetizers in that room or area. Perhaps the venue could block a separate area off in some manner. The food truck, though, will need a way to ID the guests. So wristbands or a badge of some sort unless you have someone standing next to the truck to ID each person who tries to get food from the truck.

View Quoted Comment It’s a private event from 8 pm on, but we started it at 6 pm due to thinking 8 pm would be too late to start serving food. It was $3,000 to close it to the public from 6 to 8. Normal amount of people who visit on a Thursday night is 20 or under, per the owner. I’m definitely hoping it’s not weird with people we don’t know there, but I hope it will still be fun.

I think for a more low key venue like a brewery wristbands would work. We are getting some for welcome drinks at a local bar the night before so that our guests know who is part of the party. We bought embossed glow in the dark bands. I know some will say it’s tacky but to me it depends on your guests, the venue and how dressy everyone will be.

As for the food I would see if you can have a corner blocked off and have the apps stationary instead of passed. That way your guests can go to the food and the staff doesn’t need find the people in your party. I don’t think non guests would go to a roped off section and grab food, but I do think they may take some off passed app platters if they see a lot of others (guests) taking from it. Just my take.

Wristbands seem like a good way to control this

Yes, I agree. Wristbands are a great idea.

When I did a party to celebrate my future hubby's new job as a police officer we got these little badges (maybe 2 inches big) from a party store and used them as drink tokens so the bartender knew what drinks/people to add drinks to our tab. The brewery was on board with it when we asked ahead of time and everybody loved them. You could get some plastic rings or something. I love the brewery rehearsal dinner idea, I am going to do the same thing!

Well I feel better about wristbands after yalls input! I remember seeing something about wrist bands being tacky on here awhile back.

View Quoted Comment Wristbands for a rehearsal dinner at a low key venue like a brewery are fine. I think you might be remembering someone who was going to do wristbands for some reason at their actual wedding reception and it was deemed tacky. For your case it will be fine. And I love the idea of a rehearsal dinner at a brewery. Super awesome! I may have to steal that idea lol!