Cash Bar

Also we're deciding between a deluxe buffett (14 per person) or cookout buffett (8.5 per person). We were told that the cook out was a popular option and our families are incredibly laid back enough for it to work. I seen a bride put I Do BBQ on her invites but how about for a cook out.

I dont think you should tell your guest that its a cash bar. There coming to see you get married, not to drink. But thats just my opinion!

We are paying for the beer and wine so I understand how you feel, I am in the same boat : (

Having an open bar in not the norm in my area. The FH and I aren't big drinkers, nor is our families except for a few dads who drink beer. Plus my step father (ugh if I wanna call him that) is usually broke and an alcoholic so having a cash bar works in my favor. I would love to have an open bar but we cannot afford it.

I googled a few ideas and the I came up with was

Cash bar only. Light refreshments provided.

Maybe you could just tell a few people (ones that are good gossipers lol!) that it is a cash bar. or even just a BYOB (if you can bring outside drinks) facebook status. then you wouldnt have to worry about it looking tacky on your invitations and the word would still get out. a lot of people around my area have outdoor receptions and the only way friends even get invited to the reception is facebook. they send out invites to the important family/friends, then to save money invite others through facebook.

as i am typing this i understand how ridiculous it sounds, but a lot of the ppl who come to reception are there to party with you for your wedding, so they arent offended by a facebook invite let alone BYOB. if your families truly are laid back, then i wouldn worry too much about it anyway. =]

We're having a cash bar and we wont be telling anyone on the invites. After you send them I would just word of mouth the people you think will have to bring cash. be sure to know where the nearest atm is just in case

How about "a selection of/selected beverages will be served"? I would make sure people know though. Although I wouldn't mind paying for a drink, I most certainly wouldn't want to have to run to an ATM in the middle of a reception.

That's it! I'm getting married in America!!! How on earth are people getting meals for $8-15pp??? The cheapest I have seen at all is $50pp for a venue, and I'm looking at $100-130pp (including alcohol so $70-90 without)... but I have have looked at places $150pp WITHOUT alcohol....

Another wording is "no-host bar" or would that be more confusing?

if an open bar is Not the Norm, do you really need to tell people to bring cash? Shouldn't they all be used to paying for drinks?

Reception to Immediately follow Ceremony

Dine . Dance . Celebrate

Complementary sodas, beer and champagne toast

Cash bar available to guests for other drinks

Do you have a wedding website? You could post it on there along with word of mouth.

Everyone seems to have alot of good ideas.

I am considering this since My FMIL is planning on paying for drinks and I know she cannot really afford alot.

I was thinking we could have beer, wine, and then champagn for the toast, all complimentary, and then do a cash bar.

Though a few have already begun to complain about this idea.

a suggestion came up from someone in my family, that each guest old enough to drink, could get one ticket, for one drink of their choice. & then go to cash bar after that.

I guess we'll see

Good luck!

It’s not at all a etiquette to ask guests to pay for their drink in the wedding or having cash bar in your wedding..........Instead of this its better you serve tea or punches........or you can impliment the semi-open bar....Or what you can do is that have open bar for the first two drinks and cash bar for after two drinks.....

We weren't able to pay for an open bar either (and didn't want one anyway). We covered the costs for domestic beer and wine through the caterer, then instead of a cash bar, featured a whiskey sour fountain. If the guests didn't like one of those three options, it was too bad.

I'd put it somewhere on your wedding website and spread word of mouth, both that non-alcoholic are provided and alcoholic will be cash. If you don't specify non-drinkers may avoid going to the bar at all because they don't want to buy their own soda. As a guest I like to have advance notice when its a cash bar so that I actually have cash on me. The closest ATM idea is okay for people that simply forgot to bring cash (but knew about the cash bar) but for everyone to be caught by surprise is unfair b/c now they are stuck paying a surcharge too.

@Hayley, I like your wording. I think that's perfect.

I love hayleys wording not tacky at all.. and i want to say one thing since i have been on WW i keep seeing ppl say its not ettiqutte or its tacky to do.. if truly was not etiqutte and was tacky it would not be an option she was asking how to word it not if it was in the ettiqutte.

Yea people are stupid. It's better to offer something than nothing and I would NEVER expect somebody to pick up my tab to get slushed.

I just feel some people this option works bar i am havign a open bar and am proving some refreshments as well. i am paying for my whole wedding so to save costs im doign a cash bar... somy guests can deal LOL... but i would just spread the word of mouth or maybe tell them as they rsvp just so they know..

I think you do absolutely need to tell people. Someone might want a drink and not have brought money. I would put CASH BAR at the bottom, just the right size.... wether its expected or not. If you're going to do it, at least inform them.

Thanks ladies for the suggestions. It's not the norm for the area but we are having quite a few out of towners and out of state guests. I hope it isn't the norm in the areas they live.

I want to tell people so that they know to bring cash. With the older guests it's not a problem but with the younger guests it is. Our reception is at a country club so no ATM but I will look into whether they accept card.

FutureMrsB- I'm getting married in west Lafayette, Indiana (home of the purdue boilermakers) so nothing too special. I think the average is 15-30 pp. Im not including linens or venue rental just catering costs. Wow 100 pp?! That's insane.