Open bar Vs Cash bar

Very rude. Don't do the tickets and pay for an open bar.

In my opinion that's perfectly fine. We are planning to do the same. Realistically people are on a budget now days. We have kids and aren't getting help from our parents. I'm hoping that my guests are understanding and just coming to share our special day rather than free booze...lol

Open bar for the win

Yes. In addition to being rude, it will be very confusing for your guests. Your best bet is to cut back on other areas and offer a limited open bar (beer and wine) for the whole reception. Are you allowed to bring in your own alcohol? or do you have to choose from options at the venue?

Drink tickets are super tacky. How many guests do you have?

Rule of thumb: If you wouldn't do it at a dinner party, you shouldn't do it at your wedding. You don't charge your friends if they want a beer when they come over. You don't tell them you'll only give them so much before they have to pull out any (if any) cash they brought.

Host the bar. You can do a limited bar of just beer and wine, but there should be enough for all of your guests for your entire wedding. Unless you're having 20 people, that is not enough.

TL;DR - Drink tickets are a bad idea. Cash bar is a bad idea. Just pay for it. This is one area where you don't skimp.

No drink tickets.

@Kim, the reception is to thank your guests for coming. They shouldn't have to open their wallets at all for an event thanking them for coming. That's rude af.

@Kim - 1) People have always been on a budget. That's why it's called a budget. 2) We all have other things to spend money on. Most of us aren't getting outside help. 3) The fact that you love them should not be justification to skimp on aspects they would enjoy. The reception is to thank them. Asking them to buy an outfit, travel, bring a get, and give up their day to support you is enough. No giving them the curtesy of a drink is a slap in the face. It's selfishly saying "Every other aspect of my wedding was more important than you".

Only have an open bar. Anything else is not properly hosting your guests.

Also don't listen to Kim. She's new here and didn't ask for advice like you did.

@Kim, your guests won't be understanding. Just a heads up. Don't do it.

Realistically, we were on a budget too. And paying for the wedding ourselves, too, just like most of the brides on WW.

We had an open beer & wine bar, plus a bottle of champagne for each table for the toasts. It was extremely budget friendly

ETA: don't do drink tickets.

About as rude as you can get. And, I second @RJmargo- it's confusing.

Cut in other areas.

Are you allowed to purchase your own liquor and bring it for them to serve? This should cut down on cost quite a bit.

I am fine with the tickets system-- just like you don't offer guests 3 meals, why should you be on the hook for unlimited drinks?

Open bars are fine - in the uk, NOT so much in the US.

it's customary when you invite guests to dinner that you provide drinks also. If you on a tight budget do wine and beer only. Don't do tickets it's an awful idea

I do understand. And ours will offer free beer and wine and a signature drink. The rest is a cash bar. Ours is at our local moose in town and it's one of the most common packages they do. I get it. I'm not rich. But We have little ones. But I have awesome friends and family that I guarantee will be understanding. I guess I'm the naive one that believes people are really there to celebrate my day...it's the marriage that makes the day, not how shit faced I can get everyone

@Zoe - There are so many problems with drink tickets. Least of which is that people will lose them. Some will want to drink more than others. And thank you for bringing up food. You feed guests until they're full. You don't give them half a meal and say they have to pay for dessert. Likewise, you should let guests drink as much as they like. You don't tell them when they're no longer thirsty or when they no longer want an adult beverage.*

*Obviously, there are points where drinkers should be cut off. We're assuming your guests are adults and your bartenders know how to cut people off.

Are you going to be fine with the tickets for cake? What about for dancing? Maybe you should give your guests tickets for napkins too.

See how silly that sounds? It's a wedding and not a carnival or an arcade.

Also, while some may not agree with my opinion...putting words in my mouth is "rude af" just like drink tickets i never suggested not giving them any drinks or that everyone isn't on a budget. I just think that weddings don't have to be a cookie cutter concept. Do what's right for u, not for everyone else was all I was sugggesting but what do I know...I'm new here

Yes it's rude. Beer and wine would suffice if you're looking to keep it simple. Plus, it's cheaper than hard liquor. What's your budget? And what is being spent on what?