Cash Bar: Ok or Bad Hosting?

We have been to a few wedding where there was a cash bar. At a 4 of them, FH was very offended considering where the ceremonies/receptions were being held. However, for those where we knew the couple were on a budget, he and his friends made sure they had some cash on them to purchase alcohol AND tip the bartenders and servers.

If your guests are aware you are on a tight budget, I am sure most will understand.

Oh oh oh! I have a new answer to this question! There is no right or wrong answer- you know your guests and your budget. Do what you feel is right.

Here we go......

Yeah just go to the search bar and you'll get an array of opinions.

Bad hosting-- hosts pay for their guests. You can still do it, though, no matter what the board says.

Don't feel bad about it. A common approach is to have some free wine and beer, then have people pay for their mixed drinks. Either way, I don't mind when attending a wedding as a guest. I understand we all have budjets and it doesn't bother me a bit.

~~ again? ~~

Cash bars are pretty much the norm here. Most weddings will have wine with dinner, but as soon as dinner is over, it's a cash bar. Do what works for you and your budget.

Trishia...?-?

Never happens here. Limited bars, yes. Cash bars? I've never seen one (NY/NJ).

I'll be fair....I'm from NY and most guests in that area would be offended if they had to pay for liquor. I got married in MD and I offered a full open bar all night long because that is what I wanted. Generally I compare it to hosting a gathering at your home...would you ask your guests to pay for a beer or glass of wine in your home? The wedding is about you and FH the reception is for everyone so take stock of your guest list...will your guests expect alcohol? if most won't who cares? If most do please don't go into debt to provide drinks....if you can cut somewhere else and offer something like a signature drink for an hour....if not its ok and as another poster said kudos to you for being budget conscious.

Search this question on here and you will see mixed thoughts... Personally we wanted to provide drinks but no way was going to pay 2k either. So we went on a search for places that allowed us to bring our own AND we cut down our guest list. Because of this our price take went from about 2K as well to about 600 max (MUCH better).

It's bad hosting. Guests should never have to open their wallets at your wedding. You don't have to have a full bar it can be beer and wine only and no alcohol is okay too. If someone wants to get sloppy drunk they'll do it whether or not they have to pay.

I believe you have already gotten some very good advice so I will just direct this to the WW powers that be:

WWLeor, Can you please add a sticky on the 1st page that says "If you are thinking of hosting a cash bar, please read"

Thank you

Megan,

I don't think there's anything wrong with it if that is what your budget can afford. My FH and I decided to do sweet tea and water and provided two drink tickets per guest to get a drink from the bar. After the tickets are used up, guests would have to pay for additional drinks. We felt it was a good compromise.

Its your day...do what feels right to you...for those who says its bad hosting...you should ask them for their ettiqutte book (or where they got it...lol) or ask them to help contribute to your special day...I don't care that this question gets asked a billion times..."this is a great one for those of us who just don't know" cudos to you for the courage to ask and congrats on your big day...whatever you decide WILL BE TOTALLY FINE....ITS YOUR DAY (and your FH's)...all the love and happiness will over shadow...and if it helps..I went to a wedding where it was open bar...I carry my card (debit) every where I go..and didn't come out of pocket except for the great wine I had when I left the reception...the venue had horrible choices...nasty rail liquor as the open bar and gross wine...even the couples signature cocktail was not good...what a waste of money...good luck with your day!

View Quoted Comment It’s crazy that ppl continue to say “shouldn’t have to open their wallets.” No one is forcing someone to purchase a drink but I’m sure ppl would like to have the option.

I don't think so, as long you let people know to expect it. We were able to work things out with our venue for a nice selection heavy appetizers because I didn't much care for any of their buffet menus. And it happened that doing the heavy apps reduce the food cost enough to allow us to host a bar but up until then, we had been planning on a cash bar.