Cash Bar, Open Bar or a Combination of The Two

If you can afford it, open. Cash bars don't particularly bother me, but advance notice would be great, because I personally never carry cash.

I had an open bar because it came with my wedding package.

Now, get your popcorn.

Popcorn thread! Open bar... your guests shouldn't have to pay for ANYTHING at the wedding. I'm very surprised that you didn't find a ton of threads on this. This is a very heated discussion thread!

This debate varies from region to region, so that's why you need to pull out your popcorn. Also use the search feature if you really want to know becuase there's a lot of posts on this topic.

We had an open cocktail hour, then turned it to a cash bar afterwards, but included wine on all of the tables. I've never been to a fully open bar for an entire reception before. It's not common where I'm from. Pretty much only DH's side drinks, so his parents paid for the open cocktail hour.

We did an open bar. I'm a believer in doing what you can afford and never making your guests pay for what you can't afford. If you can't afford an open bar consider cutting it down to just wine and beer or only having an open bar for a short amount of time. I've never seen a cash bar at a wedding and as a guest I probably wouldn't come prepared with cash to buy my own drinks.

I think Cash Bars can be tacky. With that being said I have been to many weddings with a cash bar. If you are tight on money I would suggest a bar with beer and wine only.

We are doing an open bar but that's because my Family loves to drink

I have only been to open bar events. If you can't afford open bar, I would opt for beer and wine only to cut costs. I have no idea if cash bars are normal in certain areas. In my area, it is not.

Literally, not figuratively, getting the popcorn and keeping this tab open. Sorry kudos2jen, but you just opened up a hot topic with strong opinions!

If you can't afford it, it is fine. But I wouldnt buy a $10,000 dress and then have a cash bar....

As you can see Kimberly and I are completely the opposite, and you're not really going to reach a consensus here. You have decide based on your guests, your region, and your budget. Done. Now it's popcorn time.

Nicole raises a good point. If you are considering a cash bar to save money, consider saving money in other areas of the wedding first if possible.

Open bar. Most WW users agree it's tacky to ask your guests to open their wallet at your wedding.

Agree with Nicole. No pricey dress and an cash bar, it's kinda rude.

It isn't just cash bar/open bar that you should consider. I went to a wedding a few weeks ago and they had an open bar but the drinks were WEAK WEAK WEAK. I tell you I had soooooooooo many drinks and just barely had a buzz. Please make sure your venue doesn't give watered down drinks.

Depends on what is done in your area. If you live in a region where open bars are the norm, your guests will not be pleased with a cash bar. If cash bars are common, people probably won't care.

I live in a cash bar area. I have never been to a wedding with an open bar.

We're doing the beer and wine, plus a "signature drink" that we think most people will like. If they want something else, then it's cash.

I don't even like tipping bartenders at a wedding, and i don't mind tipping in general. I've never even seen a cash bar in my area, though i've seen many, many limited bars.

@KudosJen I'm curious to know what is most common in your area or the weddings you've been to?

We had an open bar all night. Cash bars are not common in my area and especially not in my family. Lol. I would prefer a cash bar over a dry wedding, though. As long as I knew ahead of time to bring cash. Wine and beer would be fine with me as well.

Depends on the culture. Every wedding family has in Europe, it is a cash bar. Their logic is why is the bride and groom buying US drinks when we should be buying THEM drinks. *shrug*

Here in the US it seems to be "tacky" (I really hate that word) to have anything outside of a full plated sit down dinner and full open bar or whatever.

Really though, I would rather have a cash bar than no bar. A limited bar over a cash bar and a full bar at a wedding to me is just insanity. I have never even been to a wedding will a full open bar.

I have also been to plenty of dry weddings which as long as I have known before hand, was no biggie.

My first wedding was a lunch wedding and dry. It worked for us.

Even at cash bar weddings there should be no "tip jars" for bartenders. I agree. As the couple you need to cover the tip even if it's a cash bar.

I'm about as anti-cash bar as they get. You should not ask guests to open his or her wallet during the reception. The reception is to host and thank your guests for coming. Alternatively, limited bars are great. Beer & Wine are great, add a signature drink and are good to go.

As far as reasons go: If it is to save money, save money elsewhere. If it is to keep guests from getting hammered, go to a bar there are plenty of people getting hammered where they have to pay. If you don't drink or are opposed to alcohol, have a dry wedding.