Wedding sign, what would you think it meant?

[GnomeDePlume]

Got to make a sign for a wedding.

The message is that beer, cider, soft drinks will be available from the bar for guests who dont want the wine or water which will be on the tables. The B&G are paying for the drinks from the bar.

BEER, CIDER AND SOFT DRINKS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE BAR WITH OUR COMPLIMENTS

LOVE

B&G

Is that clear enough please?

DH and I are discussing the wording as he isn't familiar with the use of the word complimentary to mean free.

Mid 50s here and yes I understand that. Dd2 age 24 says she woild assume that's what it meant but would double check as wasn't 100%sure.

I would put ice buckets of bottled beer/cider on the tables tbh. It's really annoying that only wine drinkers are properly catered to at events.

Yes or complimentary. Both are obvious to me.

Yes I would understand this means free. Also would think anything other than these (spirits etc) wouldn't be available/ would be at a cost.

It is extremely clear that it means free to any teen or adult English speaker.

Is it a full bar with other options available eg. Gin & Tonic, champagne etc but these are not free?

If there is only a limited bar, you don’t need a sign.

Hmm. I know what it means, but I don't know if is in common use now, so maybe some younger people wouldn't. It is fairly obvious from the context though.

Thank you! That sorts the wording.

@SunsetSkylane I understand. Unfortunately the beers, ciders and soft drinks are mainly on tap not bottled.

Much thought and discussion has gone into the drinks. B&G want everyone to feel welcome and catered for. Beers, ciders and soft drinks are a complication as there are so many potential options: bitters, lagers, alcohol free, diet, non diet, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Sprite, 7Up. The list goes on.

The bar is only a short step from the room where the diners will be.

The bar has a range of spirits (but doesn't serve shots!). B&G will only be paying for the beer, cider, soft drinks during the dinner. Once the meal is cleared away the guests are on their own tab.

It isnt a large wedding. Most people will probably be drinking wine or water. B&G wanted the non-wine/water drinkers to feel catered for.

Would also put ice bucket on each table full of how much you want to gift

Yeah I see what you mean. Maybe they'd buy bottled beers for your day. They did that for us.

Even if someone else didn't know what complimentary means they'd get a nice surprise when they didnt have to pay so I think the message is absolutely fine.

Way too much faff when there's a free bar right there. You'd need containers the size of barrels to cater for every possible drink option, that's just complications for the sake of it imo

It's clear to me - and with the right spelling in "with our compliments"

Given your answer, I would say your sign is fine if you were paying for those drinks for the whole evening. But your latest reply is saying it’s only during dinner so you need to say that also.

Instead of a sign, are you having a printed menu? If so, I’d put it on there instead of a sign.

Do your guests know it’s a cash bar later in the evening (so they know to come prepared with cash/cards etc)

Its fine but another option would be: COMPLIMENTARY BEER, CIDER AND SOFT DRINKS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE BAR

In case anyone thinks 'with our compliments' means that they'll have to pay for the drinks but the person serving them will admire their hat.

Why not say

DURING DINNER ONLY - COMPLIMENTARY BEER, CIDER AND SOFT DRINKS AT THE BAR

Yes this is probably the best and should cover any confusion.

Just be aware that if you are cutting off the free bar at the end of the meal people tend to load up on drinks. We went to a beautiful wedding and when they served the meal the staff said if you want more wine just go to the bar it is complementary. As desserts were served a couple of people got another bottle just for themselves and hid it under their table but very generously the bride and groom provided a free bar of everything for the entire thing.

Personally people may take the piss so maybe a voucher system would work instead. We have been to corporate events where they gave us X number of tokens for soft or alcoholic drinks.

That was our fear. Plus being left with gallons of the drinks nobody wanted. The wine is fine, anything leftover will consumed over time.

How about “if you would prefer beer, cider or a soft drink during dinner, this will be provided free of charge at the bar” ?

This

Once the meal is cleared away the guests are on their own tab.

Can you make this clear somehow? I imagine, after having a few free drinks, many guests will assume it’s a free bar for the duration.

That doesn’t sound like the drinks are being paid for by the bride and groom though

Too much faff. The way brits drink a pay bar makes sense.do you have an usher that can stand everyone the 1st drink?