Question: How do you have a sit down dinner event or banquet event and offer the first round or 2 (on the host) but 3-10 on the guest, so the bill does get out of hand? I guess how do you politely tell the guests without sounding cheap? Thanks! Answer: It depends on how formal the event is. A "cash bar" for a wedding is considered poor etiquette because it is a formal event that you are hosting. Your guests should not have to pay for anything. However, to save money: 1 - You can pay for only beer and wine and maybe one signature cocktail so that it is a "limited bar" as opposed to an "open bar". 2 - Stop serving alcohol altogether towards the end of the night. Serve coffee, tea and soda instead. This will give your guests time to "sober up". For other less formal events, you can: 1- Offer a cocktail hour similar to a wedding and specify that there will be a one hour complimentary cocktail hour (MOST people won't pound down more than 2 drinks in an hour and some won't drink at all, so it will even out). 2 - There's nothing wrong with word of mouth. If it is a sit down dinner, have the server politely say when taking the drink order that the first round is on the host. 3 - Have wine placed on the tables upon your guests arrival. This way they will know that the wine is complimentary, but if they would like anything else it's on them. 4 - Get creative and fun with it! When sending the invitations, include a customized drink ticked to be redeemed at the event. Include a cutesy phrase with it.
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