Cash bar or open bar?

100% agree with this. If you're going to provide a limited open bar, I would at least do beer and wine. Like another PP said, you could even throw in a signature cocktail or two.

I agree with the PP. I would avoid a cash bar if you can. Signature drinks are very in and beer and wine are always favorites.

We had an open bar, not a consumption bar. Our guests drink a lot, so a consumption bar would have cost us more. I would look into open beer & wine, with liquor for purchase. And skipping things like a champagne toast & tableside wine. People will get wasted if they want to, regardless if they pay for it or not.

I am not a fan of cash bars. If you are trying to keep cost in check, just go with beer and wine. There are online calculators that help you figure out how much you need.

I think open beer & wine, with liquor to purchase is a great compromise. I've been to quite a few weddings with this set up, and no one thinks it's tacky. They think "If I want to drink for free, I'll just have to settle with beer" or "At least they have my favorite drink as an option!" I've also been to weddings where they only have 2 or 3 kegs, and once they are out, then it turns into a cash bar. As guests, we need to be more thankful for everything the hosts are offering to us, and not focus on what we can't get. Whatever you decide will be just fine!!

We are offering wine and 3 signature drinks for 2 hours (with dinner) and then it will all be replaced with just regular beverages. Tea, water, soda etc. We have certain family members that dip way too much into the alcohol and get plastered, obnoxious and crazy when they get drunk so we wanted to make sure that everyone was able to have a good time but also sober up in time to go home!

I vote open bar or possibly consumption bar if you aren't sure if everyone will drink!