Cash bar seems like best option for us- but seems to be percieved as tacky

I personally am having beverage bar including water, tea, lemonade, punch, soda, coffee and hot chocolate but no alcohol. I have a sister who is an alcoholic and also because most of the people in my fiance's family doesn't prefer to drink. I don't really want to spend the money on it. It is a small party for family and a few friends only so I don't care what people think. If they want beer they can bring their own. I don't think it is tacky at all to skip the alcohol.

I've been wondering the same thing but honestly if it's not in your budget, it's not a big deal. I've heard of people crashing weddings just to get trashed. You shouldn't feel obligated to pay for others to get drunk.

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That's great your guests danced. With a dry wedding, it's really a "know your crowd thing." Several brides here have posted their regrets over a dry wedding or limited bar (e.g. only offering alcohol during cocktail hour). They said guests 1) left after dinner or 2) didn't do much dancing.

You can absolutely do a cash bar!!! Just make sure to make it widely known so everyone brings cash

Try to budget in a variety of beers on tap, one white wine and one red. Serve wine for free during dinner and have the rest as cash. That way you're offering alchohol without breaking the bank on mixed drinks ans hard liquor.

It sounds like cash bar makes the most sense for you in terms of cost, convenience, and guest safety. Your main concern after that is being viewed as tacky, but isn't it more tacky for them to expect a bunch of free things at this event that's already costing you likely thousands of dollars, and when the focus is meant to be a celebration of your marriage, not an opportunity to get smashed? Anyone that's going to question a cash bar is either there to mooch or too uppity for their own good (and can probably afford their own drinks).

My fiancé’s cousin got married last June and they did a cash bar at their reception. No one seemed to mind, their venue was charging $5 per beer and everyone still had drinks and I didn’t hear anyone complain. I think as long as your guests are having a good time they won’t mind paying for their own drinks.

Not one bit!! My fiancé and I are doing the same thing and i feel the same way you do.

I think a cash bar is a good idea!! You could do token or something if you want to but it's by no means necessary, people drink more responsibly when they have to pay for it themselves.
Open bar never crossed my mind for my wedding because it's an unnecessary experience, one night without alcohol isn't going to hurt anyone!!!
Do what's best for you!

I don’t think it’s tacky at all. We are doing a cash bar minus a few hours, it’s SO expensive to do an open bar even at a winery. It’s no different than people drinking at a bar & I don’t think any of our guests will have an issue. In the end it’s your wedding, if it’s not in the budget, then do what’s best for you.

I’m doing a cash bar and I don’t care if anyone thinks it’s tacky. Which I don’t think my friends/fam will. If they are not helping to pay for the wedding, then do what’s best for your budget. The marriage is more important than the wedding.

I love your reasoning with a cash bar. I applaud you for thinking it out like that, and totally support your decision.

(It is NOT tacky. People really love to be judgmental on here some times.. Don't let that get to you, these people are just on a forum, and not on a guest list.)

I don’t think a cash bar is tacky at all. In my area (MA—Boston area) cash bars seem to be really popular, even expected. Everything is expensive here! We’re providing no free alcohol at all to guests—not even during cocktail hour. It isn’t in our budget, and I’m not making it a priority. I’d rather use that money for a good DJ (yes, even sober people will dance I have seen it many times) and good photographer than paying for people’s booze. It’s your wedding. No need to break the bank! I usually don’t read WW posts because I don’t want others’ input, but the title of yours caught my attention If you’re inviting people you love and care about to your wedding, they should be there for you and your fiancé, not for the free alcohol. It’s a celebration of your marriage. If you think some guests will judge you, do you really want them there? (If it’s someone you just HAVE to invite like your cousin Eddy or Uncle Bob, ignore them.) I have seen some people saying you’re hosting an event and comparing it to a dinner party, in which case you would be providing alcohol. A wedding is entirely different (it costs way more and there are more people). You’re providing them with dinner, dessert, and entertainment (dancing I’m assuming). That’s perfect. Focus on enjoying your special day Hope this helps!

We are doing a beer and wine host only.; we are putting a cap on the tab and once all funds that we have put toward the tab are exhausted, people will have to pay for their own drinks. Like you, we do not have a lot in our budget to go all out on an open bar. Don't worry about what people are going to think. It's your day and you want people to come and have a good time but you also don't want to break the bank in order to do so. If a beer and wine host is not something you can do, do a cash bar!!!

I don’t think it’s tacky as long as you are honest about. Maybe consider
Doing one hour of beer and wine for the guests?
And then the rest of the night cash bar... this may be perceived as less tacky and can work if budget is an issue no ...

There is also drink tickets as well ?

It's not tacky at all. It's what you can afford so if you can't then they can pay for themselves. Cheaper than most bars. And you're not alone with drinking and causing a scene. We went to a friend's Wedding and the bridal party was arrested for fighting. The reception started at 5pm and was over by 7pm, cops shut down the reception at the hall.

Pssshhhht weddings are expensive without the bar. They'll be fine to buy their own drinks. Dont sweat it.

If they don't like it tell the BYOB. You do what you can afford.

Aside from the politeness issue, cash bar makes it easy for serious drinks to drink as much as they want, as fast as they want, as long as they stop at the ATM or have plastic. Does nothing to discourage serious drinkers. If you are serious about curbing excessive drinking, you need to limit the total number of drinks a person can have to perhaps 4, and not allow double drinks or shots . Overserving is a serious problem.

Go for your cash bar. Weddings are already expensive. Save wherever you can to make things affordable and stress free. I was really worried in the beginning with my wedding planning. I'm learning that it's really your wedding and everything seems to go today with weddings. Best of luck and congrats!