Cash bar or dry wedding?

Cash bar. Dry weddings are called for in a few situations, such as the couple being Mormon or under the legal age to consume alcohol. I have yet to see a good reason to hold a cash bar that is not cheap or rude.

Dry wedding (edit: without the obvious caveats). I was a BM at one a few years back and it was awkward and miserable. One of the GMs brought liquor, but would only share with one or two people. I had no idea it was a dry wedding until I got there or I'd have done the same thing.

Just about everything about that wedding was tacky, though. D: #shotgunwedding

A cash bar. I would never ask someone to pay for a drink at my house but there are times that I do not have anything. It's like saying, "I invited you over but you have to pay for it."

Dry weddings for sure unless they're dry for a specific reason other than affordability. I would much rather have the option to buy a drink than being forced into not having one because it's not available.

Cash bar. I find it insulting.

Honeyfunds too.

In honeyfund vs. money dance, honeyfund is worse. Such as the case for a dry wedding, a money dance can be appropriate if it's culturally appropriate to the family. In a few cultures, the cash (used to be coins) is symbolic of wishing good luck or prosperity to the new couple. If it's just a "give me money" at a standard white bread wedding, though, it's tacky.

Dry wedding with no qualifiers (as in religion or bride/groom in recovery).

On the bar question, if I had to pick one, I would say dry wedding. I agree with Alexandra, I would rather have the option to pay for a drink. That being said, 90% of the weddings I've been to in recent years have been cash bars or $2 bars, so I'm not as offended by them as much as most ladies on here are. I always have cash on me at a wedding, just in case. If it turns out to be a hosted bar, I'm pleasantly surprised. On the second question, money dance, hands down.

Cash bar is far more tacky, imo. You wouldn't invite your friends to a dinner party at your house and then charge them for their food or drinks...same applies to weddings, birthday parties, bat mitzvahs, anniversaries, and any other party.

Wow! Really interesting to read all the responses. It seems like it's a 50/50 right now. Hope we get more commenters in the AM.

Dry bar!! Most dry weddings are boring!! I would much rather pay for my drinks then not having any kind of drink. As long as they tell me it's a cash bar ahead of time.

This obviously depends on your social circle, but I would also much rather have the option to pay for a drink rather than have nothing at all. On the other hand, I wouldn't be annoyed if it was a dry wedding...I could always just go out afterward.

Actually according to etiquette, a dry bar is Not considered rude as far as I know. A cash bar is considered to be in bad taste.

Also be prepared for this thread to get contentious. I suppose you know this OP, given that you have four stars.

Depends on the situation. If the couple has a true reason for having a dry wedding I understand. Something like a religious objection (though if possible I think it's nice to still allow your guests to drink even if you don't), or if the one of the couple is in recovery. Personally, I think even if the couple is underage the guests can still drink.

In a situation where it's just budgetary I would say that it's best to just cut your guest list and cut other areas of budget to at least be able to host your guests fully. But at the end of the day I'd rather be able to buy a drink than not have one at all, though please let me know ahead of time so I can be sure to have cash.

@jacks I hope that it doesn't get to that. I worded my post so that it is clear that A. I'm not having a dry bar or a cash bar, thus I do not need advice on it and B. This is meant for those who agree they are both bad ideas. This is just for fun, a little experiment to see which is looked at as tackier than the other.

@jacks either way, I've taken your observation and edited my post to make the intended question extra clear for any who may misinterpret. Thanks!

Id rather have the option to buy a drink over nothing. Id also rather have the option to buy a mixed drink if only beer and wine are being served. Most of the weddings Ive been too are cash bar honestly so its not weird to me at all. Maybe my area I live? A dry wedding would be boring for me

Cash bars are ruder, but I still prefer them to dry weddings. I'll pay for my drinks and take it out of the gift envelope I brought.

Honeyfunds are preferable to money dances because I don't have to watch a honeyfund actually taking place.

Cash bar and I agree with Jacks. No matter how peaceful these things start out, they never end well.

Cash bar. I rarely drink, but I do enjoy some red wine with beef, so I'd like the option open.