Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Weddings

Chat to other Mumsnetters on our Wedding forum.

Original poster

Dress code wording and cash bar

38 replies

littlemissM92 · 20/07/2017 14:42

Any fun ideas for short and snazzy dress code other than suited and booted or dress to impress ?!

Also we are having a cash bar ALL drinks will e £1 or £2 I want to include something on invites regarding bringing plenty of £1 coins without it sounding naff ?! Thanks in advance x

OP posts:
Sidge · 20/07/2017 14:47

At a risk of sounding like a mardy cow - why do you need to stipulate a dress code? It's a wedding, most people know what to wear.

Who's running the cash bar? Won't they have change? If you really need to spell it out for your guests then maybe write something like "Cash bar - all drinks are £1 or £2 - please bring coins as limited change available" (if that's the case).

Have a lovely day Smile

MackerelOfFact · 20/07/2017 14:55

If it's standard wedding dress code, I wouldn't even mention it - most people know what to wear for a wedding!

I also wouldn't mention the coins thing, nobody wants to be hauling bags of change to a wedding - just make sure there are lots of £5 notes and £1 coins in the kitty (make a special trip the the bank, you can do this ages in advance).

Do perhaps mention in the invite that there will be a 'heavily subsidised cash bar' - and maybe include a token for each guest to have their first drink free, if you can afford to? TBH loads of people will probably forget to bring it anyway, so you'll look generous without it really costing that much!

MackerelOfFact · 20/07/2017 14:56

Sorry, took me forever to finish that post, didn't see that Sidge had already said pretty much the same thing!

AgentProvocateur · 20/07/2017 15:00

If you're only charging £1, just give them the drink. It seems penny pinching to charge 1 or 2 pounds.

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 20/07/2017 15:02

Unless it is something out of the ordinary, people don't need to be told how to dress for a wedding.

Original poster
littlemissM92 · 20/07/2017 15:04

I think your all missing g the point of my questions but thanks to the couple of helpful posters Smile

OP posts:
MommaGee · 20/07/2017 15:05

What's the dress code?

I think charging nominal for booze is fine. Cover some coat and ensures people aren't wasteful. Even at £1 they'll be more diligent at finishing their drinks than if its all free.

Is it in a location where most people would drive and go home or taxi home? If so I'd mention its cheap then more people will likely taxi. If everyone is having to stay in a hotel I wouldn't worry

Original poster
littlemissM92 · 20/07/2017 15:06

It's farm from penny pinching we can't afford to do a free bar it's merely covering the cost not making money on our guests. Pretty sure they will all be happy with paying that than £4/£5 for a standard bottle of beer glass of wine like most corporate wedding venues charge

OP posts:
MommaGee · 20/07/2017 15:07

Without knowing what sort of wedding you're having, its hard to advise. You could do a flyer style layout with a drinks offer but and a printed dress code on the bottom if you're young and going for relaxed. If you're 50, on your third wedding in the village hall that will fit less. So more details = more help

Original poster
littlemissM92 · 20/07/2017 15:08

Thanks momma it's a casino theme

OP posts:
GinIsIn · 20/07/2017 15:11

In that case, why don't you use poker chips for the bar. Say on the invites that people can purchase chips for £1 on the day and gamble these away at the bar...

EverythingEverywhere1234 · 20/07/2017 15:13

I WOUld say people know what to wear to a wedding unless it's a specific theme or particularly casual, and that there's no way I'd be lugging a loaf of coins around all day, surely the bar will have change?? 'Cash bar'will suffice surely?

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 20/07/2017 15:14

If I were you I'd say that it's a subsidised bar rather than cash (it sounds like it is) then you can say something like "Please bring plenty of change 😄" without sounding a bit weird.

If it's a casino theme then just say it's casino themed - most people will work it out.

Sidge · 20/07/2017 15:17

I'm obviously missing the point of your questions! I've been to loads of weddings (am v.old) and never needed instructions on what to wear Confused.

But I'd love to go to a wedding where drinks only cost a quid or two - we usually spend a bomb on overpriced drinks!

AWaspOnAWindowInAHeatwave · 20/07/2017 15:22

Loving the poker chips idea - mind if I pinch that one for a party?

GinIsIn · 20/07/2017 15:25

wasp My event consultancy fees are very reasonable.... Grin

Original poster
littlemissM92 · 20/07/2017 15:26

Love the poker chips
Idea then perhaps I could not mention any prices and when someone comes to the bar with £5/£10 etc they get 5 / 10 individual chips to bring each time they get a drink.
It's a theme and we want people dressed to impress most people are young and up for a good laugh/dress up so thought it would be nice to have something quirky regarding dress code on our invites sorry it's such a stupid question

OP posts:
MarklahMarklah · 20/07/2017 15:29

Casino theme sounds like fun! I think you can work all these things into your invite. The poker chips as 'cash' is a good idea too.

FWIW, when I got married, many many years ago, we had a paying bar in the evening. We paid for the meal and the drinks for the daytime guests but our budget just didn't stretch to subsidising people's drinking later into the day. We made sure it was clearly worded on the invitations. I'd invited some work colleagues to the evening and overheard one of them moaning that she "didn't know she'd have to pay for drinks." Some people are just never satisfied!

MarklahMarklah · 20/07/2017 15:31

Just had a thought - the glamour of casinos to me goes with the glamour of the late 1920's/early 1930s - I'm thinking Agatha Christie characters on a cruise. Could that work for you, or is that too much like fancy dress?

GinIsIn · 20/07/2017 15:31

Ok then I would say something like 'Thanks for joining us to watch us take a gamble on each other. As our wedding has a casino theme, you might want to come dressed to impress. There will be a subsidised cash bar, which you can purchase chips for on the day. We look forward to seeing you!

PinkDaffodil2 · 20/07/2017 15:32

Do you want a quirky dress code, or a quirky way of telling people about a normal wedding dress code?
Casino chips sound fun!

Original poster
littlemissM92 · 20/07/2017 15:38

Fenella that's great. Tempted to go with this but am I then gunna get awkward people who don't want to commit to buying day 5 or 10 drinks at once ?!

OP posts:
Original poster
littlemissM92 · 20/07/2017 15:39

Mark - I can imagine thankfully I can be certain none of our guests would say that or expect anything free or cheap they gunna get an amazing day hence why I'm not going to feel bad about Charging £1 to cover costs on booze. Weddings are hard work!

OP posts:
heateallthebuns · 20/07/2017 15:43

What is your dress code? Is it different from normal weddings? Doesn't everyone always dress to impress at a wedding? Or is it black tie for a casino theme?

Ameliablue · 20/07/2017 15:48

People will probably buy a round of drinks anyone so as long as you have a float, they shouldn't need lots of coins.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.