Cash Bar at Reception?

Yes they do leave a lasting impression, and not a good one. Do a consumption bar if you do not have any heavy drinkers or just do beer and wine

I think it sucks to have to pay for beverages at a hosted event.

Yes, they do leave a bad lasting impression. It's rude to make your guests pay for anything at your wedding. You need to properly host them.

Maybe google this topic first in the forums search bar...

1. If they leave a bad impression, that's crap. An open bar is crazy expensive and I think it's really really rude for guests to be miffed that you aren't going into debt (or cutting your budget other places) just so they can get hammered.

2. Every wedding I have ever been to either did a cash bar or no alcohol at all and nobody was unhappy that I know of.

3. I'm doing a semi open cash bar. We will probably cover beer and the champagne for our first toast. Then if guests want further alcohol they can spring for it.

I 2nd mnmsMonique. Just a simple search on this site will be give you all the insight you need.

Up until a few years ago, I always thought weddings had cash bars and those who had money had open bars. Only when I came to WW did I ever hear that a cash bar is "rude."

The general consensus for WW is that it is Rude and please don't have a cash bar.

We will be having an open bar, it's in our budget and the package was amazing. I would look around and see what vendors offer what packages to see if it is indeed in your budget. I would see what just wine and beer open bar would cost.

We are considering doing a cash bar or dry wedding because alcoholism runs in FH'S family; we definitely don't want to pay for an unhealthy trigger; however my family would probably want a champagne toast. Decisions, decisions.

I mean you could scroll down a few threads and read them, as it's the same answer every day this is asked.

It's rude to ask your guests to get ready, fly in, get a hotel, find a baby sitter, etc then STILL expect them to open their wallet, again, for alcohol. I do not drink liquor at all, but we are having an open bar...because hosting my guests is not about ME.

Also, with Cash bars, expect people to leave early. At my cousins wedding (cash bar $8 drinks) about 40% of the crowd left before cake cutting.

You are going to get an overwhelming majority on this forum tell you that cash bars are rude and you need to at least spring for beer and wine.

I have somewhat of an unpopular opinion. I agree you should provide at least beer and wine. But I personally don't think it's rude to allow guest to purchase a mixed drink (if they choose). If I went to a wedding and did not want beer or wine, I would sort of be irritated that I didn't at least have the option to buy an alcoholic beverage on my own.

It is one of the greatest and longest lasting bad impressions.

Also known as bad hosting at its finest.

They unfortunately do. As someone who isn't a big drinker myself, people really think this is a big deal. Just like you wouldn't charge someone for a glass of wine at your home, you shouldn't at an event you're hosting

That being said, I would prefer a cash bar over a dry bar

You should offer alcohol. The reception is about your guests.

If I went to a cash bar, I would leave after dinner. And side eye a whole lot.

I think a cash bar is better than a dry wedding. As long as you provide coffee, tea, water, etc. You should be fine ((most people don't agree with me))

I may be an Ass, but i bring cash in the wedding card to the wedding it dont get sealed til im there. If its open bar i am leave the $300 in the gift. If its a cash bar im using prob half of that at the bar and will leave $150 in the gift. Just food for thought, i wonder if other people do this as well or not!

Terrible. No guest should have to pay for anything at your party

I work PT for a wedding caterer on the side. The vibe at dry weddings/cash bar weddings is soooo much different than open bar. People leave early when there's no alcohol and frankly a cash bar is almost WORSE than a dry wedding. Your guests will not only side eye you, they'll be talking shit the whole night. I can't even count the number of complaints I've gotten as a bartender when I've relayed that it's a cash bar.

Pay for alcohol. Beer and wine is fine.

I once overheard the bartender at the only cash bar wedding we went to on the phone. "Fuck," she said, "It's a cash bar so people are using the money they would leave for tips and digging in to the gift envelopes they brought."

@marion having a wedding is expensive NOT just the open bar. However, having a wedding is a luxury, not a neccessity and if you really and truly feel that you will go into "debt" by paying for your guests, who btw have taken a day out of their own busy lives to spend with you and your FH, to have as many adult beverages as they wish without going into their pocket than my strong suggestion for you is to go to the nearest courthouse and say your sweet I Do's there. Some of these people take a night away from their children, get babysitters, new outfits, hair, makeup AND a card with a check or cash in it .. the absolute LEAST you can do is ensure that they have the time of their life and not go into their pockets at YOUR wedding. Your attitude about your guests is shitty.

OP .. cash bars are totally uncool. If you cannot afford to have an open bar, have beer, wine and a signature drink at the very least. Just because you aren't a drinker doesnt mean your dear Aunt Patsy isn't.