Weddingbee boards

The restaurant where we are having our little dinner reception suggest drink tickets as a way to control alcohol costs and pre-determine our spending.  They said I could pick a few options in my price range and they would let guests know that the drink tickets were good for this or that white wine, this or that red wine, this or that beer, or this or that drink.  Whatever options we want to offer.

I've just been seeing a lot of negative comments on the whole drink ticket thing.

If we don't do drink tickets then I'm back to not knowing what to do.  I want to have wine, beer as an option and champagne enough for toasts (but I would be fine without champagne, but I get the feeling it is very much something strongly expected?)..

We are not big drinkers.  So I honestly didn't think much about this at first.  FI and I will very very rarely go out to a club, have a 2 or 3 drinks, and dance.  Or sometimes FI will have a couple beers... she can buy a six pack and it will be here for six months! I like a glass of red wine but it's rare and when I do, I usually only have 2 glasses max. 

So anyway, if we just select a couple bottles of wine for each table, then I am lost on what to choose and what about those who want beer?

I think the drink tickets sound easiest by far... but I am wondering why some people don't like this idea.

It's just hard to find a balance between being considerate hosts and not going over budget due to alcohol.

Hell I don't even know how we're supposed to figure soda / tea into the budget!

@bestbuddies:  Thanks.. I don't understand it either!

@littlemissmoo:  Yes, it's just a restaurant reception... so basically just a large party dinner.  We will have a private "party room" and they want us to limit the food menu to 4 choices but other than that it will be like any other "going out to dinner" experience, for the most part, which is what I wanted.   I'm not sure how they will indicate what the drink options are but I just emailed to ask.  They talked about printing up menus for the food so I imagine they will just put the drink options on there too.

I didn't want to have to think about renting a big empty place and then tables, chairs, linens, caterers.  I don't think I could deal with all that! I'm having enough trouble with what is relatively simple! lol!

The only negative with drink tickets that I can think of is if people didn't expect it and thus had no cash to buy drinks after their two drinks had been consumed. 

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with them and actually like the idea so you aren't going overboard on the budget just so people can drink.  It should also help keep people from getting overly drunk. I think that people to drink more when they think it is unlimited and free. 

Ask you venue about the other drink options.  My venue includes tea, water, and punch for free but everything else we have to cover. 

@Nola:  thanks... I actually just emailed about that too!  Out of our 49 on our list, 10 are children... and I know that I, personally, won't drink more than one or two glasses of wine (I am much more inclined to drink water or ice tea).. so I am waiting to hear what they say about the non-alcoholic drinks. 

I just want to get the numbers down NOW if at all possible.

And I agree.. I'm no puritan about drinking but I also come from a family with a lot of alcohol "issues" and I'd rather keep it conservative if at all possible when it comes to that.  Especially my mom.  Too much alcohol + my mom = mean b***h and stressed out daughter.  No thanks!!