Cash Bar Vs. Open/Hosted Bar.

There are plenty of posts regarding this.....I really don't think we need another one.

I think an open bar is very often appreciated by guests, but we couldn't have one because it was simply too expensive. In your case, where you have special circumstances, I don't think anyone will question you having a cash bar. It is WAY too easy for guests to take advantage of an open bar and it sounds like you don't want to risk that for anyone. It can also be very wasteful as glasses get left half-full and then cleared by a waiter or forgotten.

Every few weeks there is a post about this, and generally is becomes heated. You've been warned.

I'm doing a cash bar, that's the complete norm around here. No one even asked if we were doing open bar when we were looking at reception halls, because it's just not done. I've never been to an event with an open bar, but it sounds enjoyable...

If you are asking between cash bar and hosted.... Hosted. Even if it is just beer and wine.

If you are asking about Dry Weddings because of your beliefs or issues, that is a different topic.

If you are not opposed to it being in the room, you really should offer some kind of alcoholic beverage. It doesn't need to be a full bar.

Im having a hosted bar bc I can bring in my own and save $$, however, i see no problem with cash as long as people know in advance. I didnt bring any money to the last one and had to bum from friends. nowadays people get the economy.

Depends on your budget and area..

Some regions it's the norm to have a cash; mine I had open since that's normal and also it wasn't really too expensive.

However guests get put off if it's obvious you had a lavish wedding, expensive dress and flowers and have a cash bar instead of open.

I agree with Ab Z and Hayley. But that's based on my circle of people and hosted bars are pretty much all I see. "Hosted" doesn't mean you have to host every liquor type under the sun.

I think the cash bar question gets heated b/c we're all from different parts of the country, and there are different norms around cash bars at weddings. Plus people just have different attitudes about alcohol in general. What do you normally see when you go to weddings in your social circle? You know your guests better than we do.

I would add wine service during dinner if wine is available at all, b/c for some people that's part of the meal. But that's just me.

Congratulations on your sobriety.

Thanks for your input Jamie but like I said I wanted to discuss it further so no rude comments would be appreciate if you don't want to post then don't!

Judith ??? Why would these discussions get heated. I thought these forums were just to share our thoughts on things. It's really no big deal and no reason for things to get heated.

Right... As Judith said, you've been warned. Let's hope it stays this way.

Thank you Kris for clarifying why these discussions can get heated guess I should have read that first LOL. I guess I'm a little confused on the whole subject I have in my contract that it is a hosted cash bar. So I guess they provide the host but the guet have to pay for their drinks.

All I am saying is there are PLENTY of posts regarding this and you can search for them up in the top right corner of the webpage. It is recommended that users SEARCH before duplicating yet another topic.

Yes I guess I've been fairly warned now...to bad I didn't know the WW rules before I posted. Oh well whatever I see no reason for things to get heated over a simple cash bar vs. open bar.

I wasn't trying to be rude, I should've just PM'ed you or something, I apologize. But everyone becomes very opinionated because it comes down to a money issue and money sometimes is a very sensitive subject.

Does your venue have a bar already or do you get to bring your own alcohol ??

I understand Jamie and thank you for your apology no problem. I am new to this forum so I didn't know you could look up other post on this topic. Thanks for the tip!

Ehh who cares if the topic is duplicated....there is only so much to talk about with a wedding...if things are never duplicated then nothing else would ever be talked about. Besides there are new brides on all the time that would love to give their imput.

I think a cash bar is fine. I have never been to a wedding with an open bar and think nothing of having to pay for my drink. I consider it the norm.

As kris said, it all has to do with where you are at, and what is normal. Illiinois - EVERY wedding package comes with an open bar, you just pick what types of drinks you want to offer. Wisconsin - you pick your alcohol package separate.

If you have a question about your contract, ask the venue what it means.

Or tell them, "We would like to provide/pay for the wine and a keg of beer. Everything else will be cash from the guests. Can we get that in our contract"

or "How much is the normal bar tab for 100 guests here?"

or "We would like to put 2K down for drinks and then cash bar for the rest of the evening"

or "Can we do drink tickets - give each guest 2 tickets and then they pay the rest"

As a few have said.... it all depends on what is Normal in your area. Because cash bar and drink tickets are VERY weird in IL. People here Expect some kind of drinks to be provided and would look at the bride funny if she has spend all her budget on herself (1k dress, 1k flowers)

My venue is a winery so they have a bar already and will not let you bring in your own alcohol. My sister had a cash bar at her wedding and of course it sucked for me back then because i was still drinking and had no money on me because I wasn't aware of it being a cash bar so I can see where it would be polite to inform the guest ahead of time. I am offering a champagne toast but that's it as far as alcohol but I may check into the cost to provide wine at dinner.

I have been to a few wedding where they have an open bar from such and such time bc bride and groom or whomever had paid like $500 and once that money was used then it became a cash bar...its what you can fit in the budget...good idea about checking the cost of wine for dinner Good luck!!