Hello All!
My parents are paying for a large chunk of our wedding/reception expenses, but my fiance and I are responsible for the following: DJ, photographer and alcohol at the reception. My dad is a Baptist preacher and my parents don't drink. There are several members of our families who also don't drink. I would estimate that approximately half of our 175 estimated guests will drink at the reception (I'm accounting for those who normally don't drink but will have a couple drinks if free booze is provided).
So, in an effort to stay within our budget, I have come up with the following options to provide alcohol at my wedding (as I have read on several blogs that having a cash bar is tacky, which has given me serious anxiety about what to do!):
1.) Bride-and-groom sponsored cocktail hour - We would provide beer, wine and liquor for the first hour of the reception, then it would change over to a cash bar;
2.) Monetary Cap on Alcohol Provided by Bride & Groom - We pay for the alcohol up to a certain amount, then it switches over to a cash bar; OR
3.) Beer and House Wine Only Provided by Bride & Groom - This would last for the entire reception, unless we decide to close the bar only for the first hour of the reception when food is being served and introductions are being made, first dance, etc.
As a caveat, I need to add that our reception is in a hotel, literally right next to the hotel bar, which will be open all night. So, even if we provided beer and wine only, guests would be able to purchase liquor at the hotel bar if they choose.
Brides, if you chose to do a cash bar at any point during your reception, how did you communicate this to your guests? All opinions are appreciated! Thanks in advance. 
