Cash Bar?

Cash bar is better than no bar at all~ A nice way to split the difference is to host the bar during cocktail hour, and then have it turn into a cash bar during the reception. The venue should put signs out at the bar that let the guests know.

I think it's tacky personally, because then you have to include it in your invites, otherwise people will come not knowing and that would be VERY bad. We can't afford a full open bar either, so we went with two signature cocktails, wine and beer. That way people can still have alcohol, but we can control the cost, as FH and I are paying for that as well.

I think that it's tacky but it's better than no bar at all and yes you have to let people know ahead of time.

We are planning to have beer/wine only with a passed champagne toast. Yes, it might be a good idea to let people know because when I went to a wedding, we didn't know and my father-in-law ended up paying for us because we don't carry cash. We are having a dollar limit and then it turns to cash bar.

I disagree with the idea of it being tacky- i know that's a popular opinion, but I have been to plenty of weddings with a cash bar, and I've never been offended. I think it's nice to serve wine with dinner, or something like that, but I don't see it as the host's responsibilty to provide alcohol.

A lot of people think that it's tacky, but I don't. All the weddings I've been to have had a cash bar. We're doing a cash bar too, but we're having one or two "drink tickets" complimentary for our guests. I definitely think it would be a good idea to let them know though.

Oh and we're having pop/juice, coffee, and tea for free. Those are included with our venue.

I am offering a cash bar premium.. Mine is being held at a fancy banquet center and it has its own tuscan pub in it. so i am purchasing two kegs and doing free soda, juice and water and then any other liqur people may want they are on there own or when the kegs are dry they buy there own, so i am offering both Does that make since?

So this is a hot button issue a lot of the time, but I still maintain that it depends on what your guests expect. Where I am from, the group of people I know, and my fam, cash bars are expected. If you do anything else its just a really nice gesture. My fam is actually quite against open bar because people tend to order drinks just to try them then leave them so you spend a whole lot more then you would otherwise (one of my Brides miads went to a wedding and her and her husband had 10 drinks lined up just to taste test - didnt' like them so went for more - something they would never do on thier own dime)

People will also liken it to a house party, but my friends always bring alcohol with them to parties, so I am not sure I find it any worse.

Having said that, we are doing part and part. We are paying for a fixed amount of wine and beer. when they are gone it changes to a cash bar. Or more accurately a CC bar. If your venue truely only does cash bar that should be told to people

Put I wouldn't put that for one that does tabs and Cred Cards.

But thats just my opinion.

PS - Maybe it's a Southern thing, but none of the weddings I've been to have had a cash bar. (I'm 30 and was in a sorority in college, I've been to/in A LOT of weddings) Most of the people who couldn't do the cash bar provided wine and beer and everyone seemed happy with that. Just a thought.

I don't think it's tacky, we are having a cash bar only because we are having a after party after the reception and all the liquor to the after party is free.

I don't think it is tacky at all. First off, there are people who have family members who are alcoholics or members who have died in a drunk driving accident (such as myself, who has both situations), and for the couple to not want an open bar is completely understandable. You could consider one hour tab bar, and then go to cash.

Personally, I have zero problems going to a wedding and footing the bill if I choose to drink.

I think cash bars are tacky because to me, guests are guests and hosts are hosst. That is, if you're a guest you don't pay for stuff, and if you're a host you don't expect your guests to pay for anything.

We had a few people we knew would get greedy and run up huge tabs, so our venue gave us a flat rate per head, and limited the bar to beer, house wine and rail drinks. I had one person grumble about not getting a martini (they're expensive and weren't part of the package), but I just let it roll off my back.

I think it does depend on where you are. In the midwest, I think it is normal to have a cash bar. I have not been to a lot of weddings that were open bar and the ones that were, the family was wealthy.

I like how Susy worded it. My coworker had an open bar and people were ordering a ton of different things. I've also been to a wedding with cash bar. Wasn't bad at all.

The food and beverage is honestly the biggest portion of our budget because of the alcohol. I would just let guests know ahead of time because some people like myself do not carry cash.

I think it's tacky. As a good host/hostess you should not expect your guests to fork over money for anything at your party - especially since they traveled to be there, brought you a gift, took time off work, etc. The least you can do is give them a glass of wine or beer. I think Mrs. S to Be has the right approach to save on costs. Like I said in another thread - my friends and family are adults who don't need me babysitting or policing them. If they drink too much and do something stupid I'm not responsible for that.

I'm planning on having a cash bar, too - due to the cost. I've asked my bridal party and family about the 'tackiness' factor. They all agree it's not a big deal. Honestly, I can't think of a single wedding I've gone to that didn't have some kind of cash bar. That and many of my wedding guests won't be drinking (religious reasons)... so I can't justify the cost when I don't know how much would actually be imbibed!

In my area i dont know anyone who ever had an open bar. here we all have to drive a fair distance home from any venue though so no one is getting wasted. it is always cash bar though pop and a few bottles of one or Champagin is always paid for.

I agree with Heather M. I honestly get annoyed when I see posts that are like, "But people will get DRUNK!" Well, they're adults, and as long as they're not driving, it's their decision. You can't turn your wedding into a nanny state and expect for it to be fun for your guests.

People got drunk at my wedding. Hell, I got drunk at my wedding. We had a couple people make asses of themselves, but we took it in stride and found it funny instead of getting all uptight about it. People do stupid things at weddings, and all you're going to do by trying to control everything is give yourself a heart attack, or some seriously bored guests (who will probably duck out early).

Hire a pro bartender to keep things under control, then let it go and enjoy the reception you put so much time and money into creating. OK, PSA over.

I would rather have a cash bar than no bar at all. The one cash bar wedding we went to they had a hosted open cocktail hour and a cash bar reception. Except we had no clue that it went to cash bar after the cocktail hour. Thankfully FH had cash (I NEVER do) otherwise we probably would have been out of luck. Although they might have run tabs, I'm not sure. Point being, let your guests know if it will be a cash bar.

FWIW I'd be pretty ticked off if I came from out of town for a wedding and have to pay for my own drinks. Which is exactly what happened in the story above. A nice 4 hour drive.