Drink Tickets

Oh. This is tough.
I dont like drink tickets, but I also dont like spending extra money.
Would they be willing to charge you based on consumption?

I'm doing drink tickets, and in AZ they are super common. Most people do cash bars these days, so tickets are better than that. Everyone we've mentioned it to thinks it's fine.

I personally find drink tickets tacky. Is it possible for them to do a consumption in lieu of drink tickets?

View Quoted Comment Really? They’re common in AZ?

I personally don’t like drink tickets. But if the extra cost is going to bug you I’d say do what makes you feel most comfortable and will fit your budget best.

I’ve actually never heard of drink tickets at a wedding until I came onto WW. If it’s socially acceptable where you live, go for it. Otherwise I would ask if they would charge you for consumption as someone else suggested.

I went to a wedding years ago with drink tickets. Our table had 2 people that didn't drink and we started making the greatest games up to win those ticket from them. Another table caught on and started doing it also. It was really crazy fun.

We have it set up with our venue where we’re paying a certain amount and then it will turn into a cash bar. I think that’s a good option. I’m doing drink tickets with that because I know that some people are going to drink faster, or just get to it quicker, than others and I don’t want to hit our cutoff with only half our guests getting a drink. I think if you’re worried about being tacky maybe try to make them really cute or fit a theme.

I never heard of drink tickets at a wedding BUT I have a work parties so why not especially since the people won't mind. $1k is nothing to throw away I say go for it!

I think this is definitely a "depends on where you are" kind of thing. Near me open bars are the standard, and I'd be disappointed to go to a wedding with a cash bar and very surprised to see drink tickets. I know cash bars are common up north, and apparently drink tickets are common in Arizona. I think a fully open bar would be best, but I get wanting to save money on people who won't drink. Is there any way you could get away with the drink ticket method, but not giving out actual tickets, and just have the bartenders keep a tally? If not, drink tickets aren't the end of the world.

If the venue allows drink tickets, I would imagine they would be able to do based on consumption....because that's really all those tickets are for. The only downside to it is, that there is no accountability. The vendor can easily over charge you and you would never know.

I know $2,400 is a big number for alcohol, but in the end you may end up paying a similar amount if you do based on consumption.

In the end though, I don't think people will remember the drink tickets...unless, of course, you make them super cute and you could even incorporate them into your theme.

I'm not sure about drink tickets, but perhaps they could run you a tab and you can pay at the end. I feel that fair - especially that way you're not paying for an open bar of the people that don't drink. I just hope those guests that do drink don't run you a tab more than the open bar would cost you.

I've personally never heard of drink tickets at a wedding. Alcohol can be a huge expense so we opted for open bar with just beer & wine. Can you limit the kind of alcohol that's served and only have the bar open at certain times...like open at dinner where most people will be eating and limired times during the reception. Or have a dry wedding with moctails and then just a champagne toast at the end. It really just comes down to you know your crowd and what fits your budget best.

View Quoted Comment Ya, it's better than a cash bar and Phx is becoming crazy overpriced. Most brides (on a budget) do cash bar out here, so tickets are actually a nicer option. I've been a guest with tickets several times. I've honestly never heard other guests complain. The only complaints I've heard is if you don't allow the guests to buy more drinks after they've used their tickets, or you don't offer free soft drinks. Some guests want more than 3 drinks, so you have to have the availability for them to buy more and soft drinks should always be free.

View Quoted Comment I’m in Tucson and had never heard of drink tickets until I started planning my own wedding lol I’m originally from SoCal so that might be why. But I didn’t know it was a common thing out here.

I’m interested in people saying drink tickets are common in Arizona. I’ve lived in Arizona my entire life and been to many weddings, I’ve never seen drink tickets. I also contacted over 20 venues in my area (and toured about 10) and alcohol was something I inquired about with each and none of them mentioned a drink ticket option. So I’m wondering if it’s just common in the Phoenix area.

To the OP, I agree with others about asking your venue the option of hosting a consumption bar. Or just go with the drink tickets, but maybe make it known via your website or something. I would ensure guests have the option to purchase additional drinks after their tickets though.

I have to say I really don't like drink tickets. It just doesn't feel right for an event unless you're at a fair. I know a lot of people see this regularly though so I guess it's a regional thing. Even though it's the same concept, I would rather the couple provide something cute and unique like poker chips or charms, but it's all the same thing really. Can your venue do consumption billing?

I have never seen drink tickets at any of the weddings I have been to. Can they do a consumption bar instead? Like someone else said they are basically doing that with a ticket method so just remove the ticket method and do by how much alcohol is consumed for those 35 people (but you'll have declines so could be even less).

Makes me think of a carnival. Pass.

I think drink tickets are pretty informal, so fine for a casual wedding. However, if most your guests don't drink can you just do a consumption bar so people don't have to be holding onto tickets?