After Party - Open Bar?

Hmm, since you are hosting part of my says yes. However, you already fully hosted your guests and the after party is a bonus, so that part of me says no. I'm leaning towards no.

I think the consensus is that you don't have to pay for drinks at the after party. If you can budget for it, it's nice, but it's not necessary. I'm not positive though?

@BeachDreams those are exactly my thoughts as well! I am hoping no one will be offended if we don't pay.

I would lean towards no also. Is there a formal invite for it or just word of mouth?

@Aqualeo Just word of mouth

I'd say no, because you already hosted them and this is like the bonus. Plus it'd be hard to tell how many people will actually attend, and you wouldn't want to commit to a number and then end up paying for people that stay for one drink and leave.

Not necessary to host an open bar. However, discuss with the bar you are renting they may require it or some sort of minimum.

Yeah I think as a guest I would expect to pay at something like that. Maybe you could pay for a keg or something but I don't think it's necessary

If I was a guest I wouldn't expect you to pay. I would honestly feel a little bad if you did because I would know it's super expensive and you already fed me and got me drinks. Is the bar at a different location? I would be more concerned about getting your guests there safely (uber, bus, whatever, I would put the money towards transport or make sure there are options available for them to use)

Thanks so much for all the advice, guys!

I always go to the wedding after party, and never once did i expect the bride and groom to pay for anything! I

Were going to the bar that's connected to our venue after our reception ends at 9:00, it isn't a formal thing and whoever wants to come is welcome. But I don't intend to pay for the drinks at the bar.

I think it's pretty standard that guests at an "after party" will pay their own way. BUT I do think it complicates things a bit that you have rented out the space and it is only available to your guests. That makes this a bit different than "we will be at X bar after the wedding if anyone wants to stop by."

I still think you are okay not hosting this, but the line is fuzzier than usual.

Also, please allow vendors to comment on your posts. They aren't allowed to advertise and they give amazing advice.

We're also having an after party but are not renting out a space exclusively. I don't think you're obligated to pay, but after the open bar at your wedding it'd be nice to provide transportation to the after party if you are able to.

@MTMA Whoops, sorry; fixed that. Also, you are the first date twin I have found!

I would never expect to get free drinks at an afterparty if you've already hosted me properly for 4-5 hours at the reception. Of course it's a nice gesture but by no means required and you won't be breaking etiquette. People met up at a bar after our reception and it was basically just word of mouth for whoever wanted to come and we did not host.