Cash Bar?

I know that my friends and family know that money doesn't grow on trees for me and they will be appreciative on what I can provide for them. My big day is about being with the ones I love as I celebrate the beginning of the next chapter in my life.

It seems like you are in the same boat I am in. And everyone at my venue agrees that it is better than no bar, at least it is there if someone really wants it. I think it's a good idea though. But I mean I'm not even old enough to drink it so that is my excuse.

Im doing cash bar, plus im not paying for anybody's drinks...lol

Well a cash bar is better than a dry wedding. As I said before, dry weddings are dry. Open bar is the only kind of bar I know. I don't drink beer and I can't tolerate wine because I get severe heartburn,so that leaves me with vodka. As far as people getting trashed, that probably won't happen. I've been to several functions where the bar was open and only a few people were noticeably wasted. Hey there are always going to be a few rotten apples.

@Edwina- exactly. if people really want to get embarassingly puketastic drunk- theyre gonna do it whether theyre paying for it or not lol

Allison- does your venue offer a beer and wine included option?

I agree with Edwina, just because it's open bar doesn't mean people will just get trashed. The last wedding I went to was open bar, and I don't recall being sloshed. Or others around us like that.

We are doing an open bar as well, but our venue allows us to bring in our own alcohol, and total wine (where we're buying from) allows us to bring back any unopened bottles.

I'm with Glenn as well, we're having a photobooth and I can't wait to see the pictures that come back when people are a bit tipsy

We are providing champagne toast and a bottle of wine for each table... In MA it's pretty standard for cash bars. I can't think of a single wedding I've been to that was open bar for the whole night! I guess it just depends on your friends and family. You could always have it circulated around verbally that it will be cash bar so people know to bring cash or credit if they offer it.

I do not see anything wrong with it. We had discussed having an open bar but it is just not in our budget. Alot of people at our reception do not even drink. There is a bar at the restaurant we are having our reception and we decided, if people want to drink, it comes out of their pockets. Also considering there will be children there, it is a less chance of people getting drunk to a point I do not want my children witnessing (they are 4 and 5).

We are doing champagne toast with extra champagne so that everyone can have a few glasses for the cocktail hour. And then we are doing wine for dinner. Since it is a small wedding (23 guests) we are going to a a huge bar nearby that has three bars inside and having drinks after dinner. Everyone will pay for their own drinks, but most people don't drink very much, its more a way for everyone to stay out later and socialize. We are getting married earlier in the day at 3 so it wont be that late of a night for us.

It seems that cash bars are becoming more and more accepted at weddings. It is still sort of considered bad etiquette and/or tacky but it's becoming more popular of an option than it has in the past. If you simply can't afford even a limited option open bar, then you either have no bar at all (which I found in my area that many venues don't even give you the option of doing or be charged a fee anyhow) or you have people pay for their own drinks. You are already providing your guests with the basic party necessities (a meal, soft drinks, & entertainment) required of any host/hostess and the cost of the meal per person adds up fast. You could always pay for 1 drink per guest such as for the toasting hour or have an after party after you get back from the honeymoon and have everyone pitch in a bottle of alcohol for the event. It is best to tell people you're having a cash bar so those that want to drink can arrive prepared with cash in pocket and an ID if they're just over age.