Bring your own booze

I would tread lightly when it comes to a BYOB wedding. Many venues do not allow outside alcohol and it will void your contract. In addition to that, you're facing a huge liability when it comes to serving, underage drinkers, and drinking and driving.

Being able to afford a bartender is nothing compared to legal costs.

I would do an open bar! It isn't polite to have guests pay their own way for anything at your wedding

If you're having your reception somewhere that allows for this, I think it's a great idea! Most professional venues (like mine) dont allow it but if I could have done it, I definitely would have. You'll save on cost and honestly, it's just hard to cater to everyone's drink preference.

Definitely not. You don’t have to provide every single person’s drink of choice. If you can afford open beer and wine, maybe even a signature drink or two, I would do that. Your guests shouldn’t need to provide anything for an event that you’re hosting.

I personally think it’s rude to have guests provide anything for your wedding. I would either do beer and wine (only a few choices). You definitely don’t have to provide what everyone likes. My son got married last year and they did beer and wine only and everyone had a great time even though people drink other things. Good luck.

I agree with Cyndy. You don't have to provide everyone's favorite drink. We're doing wine and beer and a variety of non-alcoholic drinks. You can also opt not to have bar service the entire time. We're doing a dinner-only reception (no dancing .... it's a small wedding), and elected to have bar service end after dinner/at cake cutting to transition to coffee and non-alcoholic drinks to give people time to sober up before leaving.

Maybe if it’s a barbecue....

We are having a pot luck BBQ, but are providing some beer. We also told guest they are allowed to bring liquor if they want as well

I am doing a cash bar because we do not drink. Plus our families are drinkers so we don't feel comfortable giving them free alcohol. It may seem tacky but I don't see the point in spending money on something we don't even enjoy. But I know lots of people who would not mind byob if your venue allows it.

I personally don’t like the byob thing. If you can’t afford like a full open bar maybe just have beer and wine. But I would stay away from a byob situation.

Can't you do a cash bar?

I live in a small town. Cash bars aren't something I've ever heard of around here. It's a small ceremony hosted at my grandparents house with only family. I appreciate the thought of "have a bartender." But realistically this is more of an after wedding bbq than a full blown reception. Thanks though.

I went to a high end wedding in Rockport, MA years ago and the wedding was BYOB. It was great. I later found out that at that time, Rockport was a 'dry town' and if you wanted to drink at any restaurants, you brought your own booze.

I went to one backyard wedding that was BYOB, I've been to many open and cash bar weddings and one dry wedding.

All the weddings were fun and I was happy to have been included on their special day. You supply me with a meal and some dancing and to share your happiness - I can buy myself a drink (or two). People who judge should just stay home. Do what you would like, it will be great

I think it truly depends on the formality of your wedding. It could possibly work if it's something that's pretty acceptable and commonplace for your families. And especially could work if it's a backyard wedding.

Provide what's in your budget. Beer, some wine, and maybe an alcoholic punch of some kind. If they choose to run out and bring their own, cool, but don't suggest it.

We're doing a pretty relaxed reception as well, at a venue that allows you to provide your own alcohol, and we don't want to pay for people to get wasted. So we put a note on our wedding website that says "Along with dinner we'll have a keg of Madtree Lift (our favorite local brew) as well as some wine and various non-alcoholic beverages. If there's something specific you'd like to drink, feel free to bring it!" So not completely BYOB but we're giving people the option.

I thought about doing this, but we are going to offer small amounts of beer and wine and when it’s gone, it’s gone unless they have just happened to brought more. But I’m not encouraging or telling people it’s BYOB. A few close friends have just asked.