Cash bar vs open bar

Rachael, it's a limited open bar. But it's fine.

Thanks Emily. The limited open bar seems to be what I see most at weddings, and what I'm planning on doing. Definitely seems reasonable to me. Or even just hosting the bar (anything the guests want) for an hour or two then beer and wine the rest of the night can be a good compromise.

Cash bars won't slow anyone down. Just because they have to pay for it. Ever been to a bar on a Friday or Saturday night?

So that is bad logic. And it's tacky for a wedding because guests shouldn't be invited to an event that you are hosting and being asked to pay for anything. They've already (I'm assuming) gotten you a shower gift, they may have bought a new outfit to wear, gotten a hotel room/paid some kind of money whether gas, plane ticket, tolls and possibly parking (depending where the venue is located) and are going to give you a wedding gift of cash or check most likely. You shouldn't allow them to pay for anything else.

Make sure the bartender knows you want him to cut off guests if they start getting trashed. Make sure to cover his tip yourself for the whole night.

Let me first say, if you can do open bar, you should- even if its just beer and wine.

I worked in events for a 3 years. Instead of doing full open bar, I've seen people do drink tickets- they're given a set amount per person from the host (usually 3 or 4) and they can get what they want and give the ticket to the bartender to talley up later. Also, some people may not drink or use all their tickets and pass them off. I don't love the idea for a wedding- but just thinking outside the box.

Definitely do not do tickets - I think that's almost tackier than a cash bar.

Open bar is always the answer!

"This is still a question" because not everyone has universal experiences. Cash bars are still common and considered the norm in some parts of the country. And it's rude AF to assume the OP is a troll right off the bat. If you don't want to risk wasting time to posting to someone who may just be looking to pot stir, then don't post.

OP, I'd echo the sentiments of others and go with the open bar, and perhaps just don't do hard alcohol. Nothing wrong with that.

Open bar, please don't do cash bar.

Your FH is right - cash bars are tacky. Have an open bar.

On here, most people will tell you not to do a cash bar. Personally, I don't see a problem with it.

It is SO SIMPLE to search on this site when on desktop so the "universal experience" excuse is null and void. If anything, OP can excuse herself if she's on mobile and unable to search. Even so a simple Google search will pull up threads from here in the first page of results. I guess a lot of people don't realize 9.9/10 times your questions been asked and answered already.

The should just put, 'NO CASH BARS' in the WW Community Rules..although I'm sure people would still ask.

Oh boy...cash bars are tacky af

Open all the way. Beer, wine, champagne, liquor.... all of it. Free of charge to your guests.

My venue is the exact same, beer and wine only. I would definitely provide the alcohol. Beer and wine aren't all that expensive. Ask around locally and see who will give you the best deals. If you buy too much some places will but back what isn't used.

I agree with @FromAtoB, a cash bar is not going to keep guests from getting sloppy drunk. DH and my family and friends love to drink and no one got sloppy drunk at our wedding. Host an open bar and trust the bartenders to handle anyone who needs to be cut off.

Dont have an open bar and then switch over to cash as a pp suggested. That's confusing for guests and potentially embarrassing if they don't bring cash to the bar.

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Well OP the unanimous opinion is open bar. Hope you listen to your fiancé!

Open bar is better, or just have a dry reception