Are drink tickets at a wedding tacky? Cheers to that! Are you planning a cash bar? Or how to do drink tickets at a wedding? Open or cash bar? Drink tickets? Addressing the stigma around drink tickets at weddings. Debunking the tackiness myth of wedding drink tickets.
You’ve probably wondered more than once whether drink tickets at a wedding are classy or just plain tacky, and that’s a totally valid question. When you’re planning your wedding, the bar setup can feel like a big decision, especially if you’re trying to control costs. Some couples lean toward a full open bar, others want to limit spending, and that’s where drink tickets come in. Drink tickets can seem like a clever middle ground, but they also carry some stigma or awkwardness if not done thoughtfully. You might worry that guests will think you’re cheap, or that the ticket system will feel awkward or overly structured. But here’s the thing: done right, drink tickets can actually feel elegant, intentional, and really in line with your budget and totally respectable.
Are drink tickets at a wedding tacky?
Here is the full question:
“If not doing an open bar, is wine on the dinner tables and 2 drink tickets per person enough? Or is that tacky?”
The answer is, YES, it can be tacky, BUT not always, especially when done elegantly and tastefully.
If you choose not to do an open bar, the wine bottles on the table are totally okay and quite tasty. However, with regard to the drink tickets, it does tend to get tacky and tricky. In addition, some guests might lose it.
Physical tickets, especially during a wedding, have a high chance of being lost or misplaced, which might cause some challenges, not just for them but also for you and the venue/coordinator.
Managing and distributing drink tickets can pose logistical challenges. This means that you have to ensure that the process is seamless and doesn’t create confusion or delays at the bar.
Your guests probably have the smallest purse/s with them, or some of them might not even bring a purse/bag at all.
If possible, check if your bar or venue can manage a “check-in” type of “ticketing,” where they give their name, and it will “tick” that a drink is redeemed instead of actual “physical tickets.” This article can go into further detail about this.
In addition, consider speaking to your venue/bar and see if you can do wine and beer only for an open bar, and compare the difference with that pricing from the bottle of wines on the table, as well as the 2 drink tickets. If it’s not a big difference, a minimalist open bar might work for you.
Check with your chosen venue regarding their policies on drink tickets. Some venues may have specific rules or restrictions, and it’s essential to ensure compliance.
Explore alternative bar options, such as having a limited open bar or offering a selection of signature drinks or perhaps a Sangria Bar. These alternatives provide flexibility while still managing costs.
Another idea is how creatively navigating around this by serving 1-2 max drink/s per person, by taking their “drink order” when they are seated instead of giving them tickets?
In some cases, guests may not use all their drink tickets, leading to potential waste. This can be a consideration for couples who are mindful of sustainability and reducing unnecessary expenses.
This way, the server can easily account for the guests’ drinks more easily and quickly. However, this might come with a minimal extra cost as you will need to work with waitstaff to take these orders.
Let’s say you are making your guests choose their entree (through your wedding website or when they RSVP); why not also have them select their 2 drinks and give them maybe 3-4 choices? Again, this is easier to track, set up, and place on the tables even before your guests are sitting.
If you’d like to have a cash bar after the 2-3 drinks you are providing, make sure you include this in your invitation so that your guests can prepare better and bring extra cash as needed.
You can also serve up a “signature” cocktail when your guests arrive. So you can get them a “drink” right when they arrive, since they won’t be able to choose or be served their preferred drink until they are seated.
Work on comparing the prices of these combinations; this way, you can make an informed decision on what will make the most sense for you and the budget you have allotted for this part of your wedding.
The decision to use drink tickets at a wedding ultimately rests on a combination of budget considerations, guest expectations, and personal preferences.
While some couples find them to be a practical tool for budget control and maintaining a structured bar service, others may see them as potentially detracting from the celebratory atmosphere.
You could also consider adding this to your invitation: “Bottles of wine will be served with dinner.” This lets your guests know what to expect and gives them the option to bring cash or enjoy a pre-drink if they prefer.
Whatever choice you make, the key is to approach it thoughtfully and communicate your decision clearly to ensure that your wedding day is a joyous and memorable celebration for all.
Also, if you are surrounding yourself with people who love and know you, they will understand your decisions, whether it be an open bar, minimalist bar, drink tickets, wines on the table, or DIY Sangria bar, whatever it is, they will respect it.
There you are! Our insight on your question: Are drink tickets at a wedding tacky?
All insights and advice provided by the Peppermint & Co. Ltd. Team are generic and should only be used for informational purposes. Read the full disclaimer here.
