To ask for help with invitation wording...?

[FantaIsFine]

Helping to plan a 70th birthday party. It will be a reasonably posh do - boat, jazz band, Pimms kind of thing. The birthday girl wishes to cover the cost.

However, the plan will be light on booze esp as it isn't birthday girl's "thing" and afternoon tea is the plan but the boats all have a cash bar. Is there a good way anyone can recommend to include "a couple of drinks will be included but a cash bar is available"? Budget is generous, but not really to accommodate loads on the sauce, plus that isn't what she wants, most importantly.

For the record I'm not generally light on booze myself (perfectly happy to pay for it as well) but would love any guidance between social mores on an all inc event, not over fuelling attendees but explaining that those who wish to quaff a bit more have the ability to only need to bring cash with them.

Really appreciate all or any input!

[FantaIsFine]

Oh all tea and soft etc will be included - my question is just the booze

[ThinkPinkStink]

It sounds like a lovely day.

The use of the word 'but' makes you sound a bit apologetic that it's not a boozy affair...

Maybe something like:

'Join us in the spirit of the Jazz age for afternoon tea on the river, and raise a glass of Pimm's to X's good health!

High tea will be served at Xpm, carriages at Ypm, cash bar available throughout the day.'

[nobilityobliges]

Sounds lovely! I wouldn't mention about a couple of drinks being included - I would just invite guests for afternoon tea and then also say something like "the venue has a bar but it is cash only." Then it'll be a nice surprise if you do give people a glass of prosecco, but no one will be expecting masses of free booze. Also this way, if you go over budget, you can cut back on the booze altogether.

[ClaudiaWankleman]

I think you just state it as a cash bar, and then it'll just be a pleasant surprise on the day that there are a couple of drinks.

[sneakyminders]

Definitely don't mention Pimm's or cash bar. Just say you are invited to afternoon tea at xxxx on xxxxx. Then it's clear it's not a boozy affair.

[KyloRenNeedsTherapy]

I think you definitely DO need to tell them it's a cash bar - most people do t carry that much cash nowadays and would be mightily peeved to find they couldn't buy a drink!

ThinkPink's wording is great.

[fatmomma99]

What ThinkPink said.

Sounds lovely. Have a great event!