Cash Bar, Open Bar, or Dry?

Maybe just do beer and wine?

I was told when looking at venues, people tend to give more of a gift when it is an open bar, because they don’t have to spend their own money.

With that being said, it is your own wedding, cash bars works well, but it’s not a guest first pick.

I think open bar is the best, but most expensive option. You can do a two drink free type of thing, or a BYOB, if your venue allows it.

This is makes it cheaper for you, and your guests! If you are worried about people driving, you can offer to do Uber. There is a thing you can set up just for your wedding.

Good luck!

Where I live cash bars are very common. I have been in 8 weddings and every wedding guest paid for there alcoholic drink but beer and wine was free. My FH and I are doing a cash bar.

Ok I am usually not in the cash bar crowd, I don't like it, and would be a bit miffed I couldn't get a drink, BUT it doesn't mean I wouldn't go to support the couple. I'd still give them a gift (the gift may be dependent on whether or not I know it's a cash bar/or dry.) With that said, I would not fault those who DO have a dry wedding, as someone who can't really drink anymore due to some lovely medical problems that arose while planning this wedding, I'm just going to have some virgin cocktails (but I digress) Also some people just don't live their lives with drinking, and wouldn't drink at their own home, so I wouldn't expect them to have alcohol at their weddings. It's not the worst thing in the world. People will bring their own IF they know it's dry. They will probably even bring their own if there are drink tickets, it's sad but people feel that if they can't drink at an event like a wedding, they have every right to, so they're going to anyway, and even you as hosts can't stop them.

Just beer and wine with a licensed bartender or a dry wedding. Nobody should pay for food or drinks at your party.

Is your hope a cash bar will stop they from drinking? From experience, I've never seen people drink less if they had to pay for it at a wedding. They were annoyed they had to pay, but still paid. My fiance's family doesn't drink, and my family does. My fiance and I drink, so we are having an open bar. I'd for sure NOT do a dry wedding, but I'd do an open bar even if it's just beer and wine.

Cash bars are common here and that's what we are doing... if you provide other free drinks then people don't have to open their wallets - they are choosing to buy something you are not providing, but least they have the option!

I've seen weddings where the bride and groom just buy beer and wine coolers wholesale. They dont have a bar tender just a help yourself. Its lower alcohol content and also a lot cheaper!

View Quoted Comment And makes the bride and groom 100% liable for their guests who over serve themselves or for any underage guests who decide to drink because they couple provided the alcohol.

Your bridesmaid is right, a cash bar is tacky and it doesn't make for great hosting. I stronger suggest you do not do a BYOB wedding, that is just another level of tacky. Sorry hope that doesn't sound too rude!! But please don't do that! It just gives the wrong impression of the day. I can't imagine dressing up and bringing a cooler box with me...and then either way there is alcohol and doesn't solve your problem of limiting alcohol to your family or shielding it from FH's. I would personally just do an open bar. If your family is going to bring moonshine and flasks, they will be getting drunk anyway and it will be much more obvious at a dry wedding.