Cash Bar at Reception?

@OP I think you will actually have more drinking and driving with a cash bar because they will spend all their money allotted for a taxi on the bar.

FWIW, I will get wedding wasted at an open bar or cash bar.

@Future Mrs. G, your need to interject to be rude and voice your opinion of my wedding plans is shitty and entitled. I was giving my opinions for the OP, not asking for reviews on my plans or opinions. But since you did. Of course having a wedding is expensive. My attitude toward my guests is that we are inviting them to celebrate OUR special day with us. I'm seriously shelling out THOUSANDS of dollars so that they have a good time (and if you read my comment, we are paying for some alcohol) at our celebration with us. But I feel like it is super entitled for people to expect alcohol. I don't expect that (and I drink) from couples at weddings because I understand that they are trying to start their lives together. Usually trying to buy a house (like we are), move in together, etc, not go bankrupt for one night of partying. I don't believe them having the time of their lives is the point of a wedding/reception. I think the point is that we love these people and want them to share in our special moment and celebrate with us. If my guests only came for the booze or are sorry they came when they find out they have to pay for some booze then I'm sorry I invited them and obviously they aren't there for the reason I though they were: to share our day and start our new life together. My budget for my wedding is small and so is my guest list for the very reason that I want to be responsible and have the money to put a down payment on our future home and toward our future life together. If that type of thinking and those reasons for doing my wedding this way make me rude then I'm good with that.

@Celia I guess I'm just happy it's not the same one you live in.

OP, good luck navigating through all these comments and with your special day. Remember, when it comes down to it, these people are strangers you will never meet and you shouldn't let their opinions rain on your parade.

@Marion but if an overwhelming majority of these "strangers" are telling her a cash bar is rude, there is probably a chance one of her guest will agree with these "strangers". I am not shelling out thousands of dollars for a party people are going to side eye for years to come.

FSS Marion... giving people a GD glass of wine comes with hosting an adult party.....and no, giant jenga and a glass of blueberry infused lemonade is not goo hosting.

Part of your thousands should go to wine. Because that is part of the party. Your guests should not have to pay for anything once they set foot in your venue. You are the hosts.

I think it is pretty hilarious that having 300 guests is more important than hosting 100 guests well

Not a question to ask on here, at least serve beer and wine, at YOUR cost

You could always do open bar for wine and beer until a certain time. Like someone else said, just let them know before hand. Also, everyone will say that it is rude or not, but it depends on your guests when it comes down to it. Taking into account how young you both are, I don't think (and I could be wrong) your guests expect a ton of alcohol anyways. Weddings are about love and commitment and being surrounded by those you love! Don't forget that hope this helps!

I don't even have to read the comments on this post to know what the answer is.

Paige that idea is equally bad. Closing an open bar and switching to cash is just as rude.

People take money out of the envelopes because literally no-one carries cash in my experience. Particularly not to a "hosted" event.

Will def leave a lasting impression. If it is a cost thing, see how many drinkers you have and maybe a consumption bar is better than open bar so you just cover actual drinks instead of a price per head.

I am just going to LOL all over Marion's response. Majority of us are already homeowner's and/or saving for a house or renting .. money is still being spent!! That doesn't entitle you to be a poor host. And it's so much worse that you're doing open bar and then cash bar .. way to mind fuck all of your guests that you care so much about. Your ceremony is about YOU, your reception is a thank you to all of your guests for giving up their time to be at your side. But again it is YOURRRRR day, do whatever you please. Interjecting is rude, yes, but making guests pay for drinks at a party you are hosting is much worse. Anyway .. I have filled my drama quote for today with entertaining you. Have a good day pumpkin pie!!

@Jacks. My bad I meant to say that card would be acceptable(some places do that) my friends were married last year, they did an open bar for 3 hours then switched to payment for the last 1.5. People were already very buzzed, but had time to sober up, and also the party could settle down before everyone left.

I feel that if her guests are ok with it, then it's not a huge deal? I know my guests would be totally fine with a sober reception or cash bar. But I happened to decide on placing that in my budget.

@OP have you looked into maybe hiring a bartender or two and then providing your own alcohol? Some places will let you return alcohol if it hasn't been opened! It will help save money. Plus if you have cops there (I understand your fear of people drinking and driving. I've lost a friend last year to it) but you'll have that peace of mind with them there. Also, you can do a wrist band (or something classier) to state who is 21+? Just throwing out ideas.

Best of Luck!

It is not rude. If you cannot afford to supply the alcohol, then you can't afford it! You're already putting a lot of money into the food and the entertainment, if your guests want alcohol, then it is not rude to ask them to pay for it! Alcohol is expensive, after all! I wouldn't think anything bad of someone who had a cash bar. I've been to plenty of weddings that didn't serve alcohol at all, and I think that doing a cash bar would have been better than nothing (if you want alcohol at your wedding that is.) It's your wedding! As long as you enjoy it and have a great time, who cares if someone else is still bitter about having to pay for their $8 whiskey 10 years later! I think that if anyone in my family or friends would get mad over something like that, they probably wouldn't be invited in the first place.

Cash bars aren't rude or tacky. Lol. I'd take a poll of my guests and whoever thought so would be scratched off the list (kidding only slightly).

Um...ashly....Yes.....it"s rude.

Your beverages are part of your budget. If you can't afford that, then you cut your guest list.\

How does this even get to be a line item? You can either afford to host 100 people or you can't. And if you can't give them drinks?

You cut your guest list.

The reception is to thank guests for coming over to your wedding, not providing alcohol and making people open their wallets after (probably) expending money on attire, sitters, travel, and your gift can come as rude. I recommend getting beer and wine, and hire a licensed bartender, they will keep your group from getting out of hand drinking. If it is also in your budge and your are concerned of your guest driving and drinking consider transportation or doing Uber Events.

@Paige F the venue that we're having our reception at provides a bartender with the rental fees. As for what they offer in terms of cash, consumption, open bar, I am not sure yet. FH and I are just tossing ideas around right now, and we would both rather have our guests pay for their own alcohol. Neither of our families care that there even be alcohol at the reception. I'd have the cash bar there in case they decided they wanted a drink or two. Maybe we could do drink tickets or something for the first two, and after that, an all cash bar? The drink tickets could be different colored for those who are 21 and those who aren't?

Paige, I do understand what you're saying, but it's still rude. Guests should never have to pay anything at your event. If a wedding couple can't afford the bar, they have too many guests.

What are your thoughts/Budget on doing just a beer and wine wedding reception? It will save a lot of money. And like I said, if you provide your own(as I am doing) places will let you return if you buy too much (obviously they cannot be opened)

Future Mrs P, it doesn't matter that you'd rather not pay for alcohol. You've invited these people to your event, and you need to host them.

No to drink tickets.

Would people rather not be invited at all? Or not come because they can't get free alcohol? The whole "if I had a party at my house" line is a poor because who's to stay I liquor people up at each one of my parties. I don't. My family had thee best time at our (dry) family reunion. Guess what? Only bar was at the hotel restaurant and guess what? They bought from the bar. So cash bars are at at lot of parties.