Bar options

I think that is a great option. I’m still trying to figure out to open bar or not. You can give the drink fun names too. I did that for a wedding I bartended.

I did “martial margaritas” Also sangrias (red and/or white) are a tasty and pretty option. Plus they can be done on the cheap since you don’t need a fancy wine to start it. Use the fruit to flavor and decorate it.

We're in the same boat, we just can't afford a full open bar. We're going to have an open bar for cocktail hour then change it to cash bar. There will be a champagne toast served with all the meals as well.

The only wedding I've been to that was open bar the whole time was only open bar because the groom's family insisted on it and paid for it.

Stick to your budget! I've been back and forth with my planning on this as well. i just can't afford to add it on - but we are inviting kids. so thats my excuse for not offering liquor. We are doing just beer wine and champagne. Listen if your guests don't like it then they don't have to drink!

For us, we're having 1 bottle of champagne on each tables, 2 beer kegs (2 types of beer), rum and coke and MAYBE vodka and cranberry. We're really struggling with whether or not we should have both spirits (the rum and vodka) or just pick only one of them. As you can see, ours is really limited but this is because we aren't having a traditional reception. We're having an appetizer reception at night. I think the beer and 2 signature drinks on it's own is perfect.

Cash bar never bothered me.

You gave me dinner, dancing and let me share in your special day.

I can buy myself a drink (or two)

We are providing two sangria options, plus 3 beer options. The rest will be cash bar. We cannot afford more than that.

The bar options at our venue are also super expensive so I completely understand what you're dealing with right now.

We are planning on going with 1 hour of open bar during the cocktail hour (total $2000 estimated at $10pp) and after that the bar will then switch to a cash bar for any other alcoholic beverages. After the open bar we will then have a few kegs of beer (possibly 2) and offer a signature drink for about $3 so we're going to pick a pretty popular drink so our guests can get a bit of a deal. If people want anything other than water, soda, and beer, they will then pay for it.

We will also be letting people know about the whole open and cashbar ordeal in advance so possibly on the invitations and on our wedding site when it gets closer to our date.

If you're offering beer and 2 signature drinks i think you're fine. if you could possible include wine in that i don't think you would even need the cash bar option.