Wedding drink tokens explained: pros, cons and tips
Can’t stretch to an open bar? Drink tokens are a fair, budget-friendly middle ground. Here’s how they work, how many you need, and why so many couples now use them.
Rustic Charm drink tokens, engraved with the couple’s initials.
If you’re in the middle of planning your wedding, first of all, congratulations! This is such an exciting time. Alongside all the joy there’s a lot to organise, and the to-do list can start to feel pretty long.
One decision that often trips couples up is the drinks at the reception. How many should you provide? Should you go all out? Ideally we’d all treat our guests to a full open bar, but the cost of unlimited drinks for a big guest list adds up very quickly.
The good news is there’s a fantastic middle ground. Wedding drink tokens are a fun, flexible way to keep guests happy while staying within your budget. Here’s why they’re becoming such a popular choice, and how they could end up being one of the most talked-about touches of your day.
What are wedding drink tokens?
Drink tokens are little tickets, tokens or chips, printed or, in our case, engraved. Couples often personalise them to match their theme: a rustic token for a barn wedding, something sleeker and more contemporary for a modern venue.
Before the big day, you decide how they’ll work. Usually one token equals one drink, and each guest gets a set number when they arrive at the reception, or posted out with the invitations. If your venue is happy to set up a tab, guests simply swap tokens for the drink of their choice through the evening. Once the tokens are gone, the party doesn’t have to stop. The next round is just on them.
From left: Cocktail, Love Heart and Rustic designs.
Wood, paper or plastic?
There’s no single right answer, as every material has its benefits. Here’s how they compare.
| Material | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | Tough, natural, timeless, easy to personalise, makes a keepsake | Costs a little more than paper |
| Paper | Cheap, can be personalised | Flimsy, doesn't survive getting wet, easy to forget |
| Plastic | More colour options | Not eco-friendly, often generic unless you pay more |
Why drink tokens work so well at weddings
They speed up the bar
Instead of digging around for cash, waiting for change or hoping the card machine finds a signal, guests hand over a token and get their drink in seconds. Queues stay shorter, the bar stays clear, and everyone spends more time celebrating.
They add personality
Personalised tokens tie your whole celebration together. Match them to your invitations, colour scheme and place cards, and suddenly the bar tokens aren’t just practical. They’re part of the experience.
"People begged to keep them, so I will be sending them back as fridge magnets with thank you cards."
They keep costs down
Unless you’re planning a celebrity-level budget, an open bar gets expensive fast. Tokens let you treat everyone to a round or two while keeping full control over how many drinks you’re covering. No eye-watering surprise at the end of the night.
They're fair for everyone
With a fully open bar, there’s always a chance one or two guests treat it like a personal challenge. If Uncle Bob is six pints in while others have barely had one, it gets unfair and expensive quickly. With tokens, everyone gets the same share, and if Uncle Bob wants six pints, he can pay for five of them himself.
They're a lovely way to say thank you
Handing guests a token is a thoughtful way to treat them to a celebratory drink, and plenty of people take theirs home as a memento of the day.
Having a food van? Try food tokens
Evening food has become a wedding favourite, whether that’s a hog roast, a pizza van later in the night or an ice cream stand on a summer afternoon. Food tokens work just like drink tokens: they keep queues moving and make sure everyone gets their share, rather than a few speedy guests going back for thirds.
Personalised food tokens, in pizza, burger, taco and ice cream designs.
Tips for using drink tokens on the day
- 1Talk to your venue early. Check they're happy to run a token tab and agree what one token buys.
- 2Decide when guests get them. At the drinks reception, on the tables, or in with the invitations.
- 3Order a few spares. Handy for last-minute guests or the odd lost token.
- 4Order a sample first. See the size and engraving before you commit to the full batch.
Drink token FAQs
Most couples give 1 to 3 per guest. Two is the most popular: one for the drinks reception and one for later in the evening. For a drinks reception only, 1 each is usually enough.
Agree with your venue what one token buys and set up a tab. Guests hand a token to the bar staff in exchange for a drink, and the venue counts the tokens to settle your tab at the end of the night.
Popular options are handing them out at the drinks reception, leaving them at each place setting, or posting them out with your invitations.
Yes. Ours are laser-engraved with your names and wedding date, in designs from rustic and boho to Art Deco and contemporary, and we can work from your own artwork too.
Not sure how many?
Most couples give 2 per guest. Order a single sample token first to see the quality.
Order a sample →Keep planning
More personal touches for your day
Guest books
Personalised wooden guest books
Engraved or colour-printed covers, with a free proof before we make yours.
Wedding signs
Welcome boards and QR photo signs
Handmade, laser-engraved signs to match your theme.
Wedding favours
Wedding table games
Keep guests entertained between courses with a little friendly competition.