Cash bar

@Ariana, go back and read the thread. You need it.

Ughhh. Jess. Not only did you revive a dead thread, you gave horrible advice doing it. This is not the way to start off your time here!

I wouldn't do a cash bar. Think about those guests who paid probably quite a bit of money to travel to your wedding. Or those who are in your wedding party, who paid for the dress, hair and makeup, bach. parties, tux, etc. You could always offer just wine and beer. Or drinks up to say $10-12 and then if anyone wants something more expensive, they have to pay for it themselves.

We're doing a cash bar. We opted for a nice dinner menu and many people attending will be underage family members, and we don't want the guests of age to get too rowdy. I know it's "tacky" to some, but I choose to ignore that and do what we can afford! There's no reason to spend far beyond your means so your guests can get free booze. IMO, it's more important to use the budget to include those close to you than to cut back on who you really want there so there can be free alcohol. Unpopular opinion, but so be it! I've made note of this on the wedding website, though, so it won't come as a surprise to anyone.

Unless your wedding is in Argentina or some other country where sometimes you pay to be part of the wedding then do it otherwise better just skip if you cannot afford.

A cash bar is rude. If you truly can't afford it, you can have a dry wedding or provide wine service with dinner. I went to a wedding that was dry except for one bottle of wine per table (8 guests) and it was the worst wedding I've ever attended. I would have taken more kindly to a dry wedding than this one because it made them look cheap. Think about doing a limited menu at the bar (lower end, domestics, etc.). You don't have to make it fully open.

Oh geez. Cash 💵 bars are always a NO in my book 📚

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Amen...PREACH

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Right!!!!!

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I totally agree if not then at least serve it during cocktail

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I am having an open bar for two hours because it is part of my package and the rest of the night it will be a cash bar however, wine will be served with dinner and a champagne toast ( not cider) will be provided as well. I understand that you're inviting, etc but I was surprised to see the reaction as well. I have been to both weddings with an open bar and a cash bar and let me tell you I don't think back and say oh what bologna so and so made me pay for my drink. I mean I was happy to see the couple get married and be a part of it. I feel like you should have the right to control your wedding especially if on a military installation. A friend of mine did tickets so each guest got to tickets and each was equivalent to one drink after the tickets were gone they paid for whatever else they drank. This was good because there were some people who didn't drink and gave their tickets away and others. If your guests are going to complain about the ability to drink then you may not want them at your wedding. You really should not feel like you need to please anyone other than yourself. If you can put money down for an open bar until it runs the limit its totally fine.

I went to a wedding where they had beer and wine, but offered a cash bar for liquored drinks. The only reason I felt some type of way was because I didn't know there would be one, so I didn't have any cash (they did not take card).

I recently went to a wedding where the family members were known to over indulge and a few had multiple DUIs. I would suggest just speaking to the bartenders and making sure they DO NOT over serve (that's what her father did).

I'm sorry people are being so harsh when all you wanted was advice/ an opinion.

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Nobody is saying that they are just there for free booze. They are saying that when you host a wedding you host a wedding. If that means an alcohol free wedding that is your choice but you do not charge your guests to be at your wedding

View Quoted Comment They likely are not leaving because there isn't a complimentary bar! They are leaving because they don't feel welcome, they have no money on them for the bar or they feel after the gift, travel, child care, hotel, shower gift, bachelor party etc etc etc were enough for them to invest in you

I’m not having a cash bar,but I have set a dollar amount for my drinkers and once that amount is reached then it’ll be on them if they choose to drink until they get wasted! We’re not going to be reliable for their overly drinking and my Bartenders has the go ahead if and when they think someone has had their fair share of liquids! It’s know you’re strength while drinking.

Pay for beer and wine aka a limited bar, once supplies are gone or they want something else then it's a cash bar. It's rude to not pay for something for your guests to drink. As a guest, I've been to weddings where it was a limited bar (beer & wine) and cash bars. The reason guests find it rude is they spent money on a gift, hotel room, transportation costs, and an outfit for your event - trust me the weddings I've been to that had cash bars, guests were pissed that they didn't know ahead of time. If you honestly can't afford a limited bar (beer & wine), then you need to put somewhere on your wedding website & somewhere on 1 of the info cards in your wedding invitations to at least give guests the courtesy of knowing. Because most guests are going to assume some alcohol is available and will be upset if they have to pay and they didn't know about it ahead of time.

Ultimately it is your wedding, and your money. Alcohol isn’t important to me, but it is to my future husband. His friends drink socially frequently, my friends and I rarely drink when we hang out. My guest list does not include anyone I would not willingly and happily like to treat to a meal and a few drinks, regardless of whether or not I partake, because I know they will enjoy it and that is what it means to me to host this party. That said, I also don’t know if anyone on the guest list who would go nuts with an open bar or get obnoxiously drunk, because those are not our kind of people.

If your budget won't allow it, than it would just stress you to get a full bar.
I went to a wedding a few years back where they had a cash bar, but gave each guest two coins as vouchers, so you could do something like that if your worried about it.

There are only two acceptable reasons to have a cash bar. It goes against you and your family’s religious beliefs, or you or your fiancé are sober.

Hi Natalie!
UOU have to do what’s best for you a d your budget…. But keep in mind you’re inviting your family and friends to celebrate your union. They will give money or gifts . Buy new attire the makeup and hair to be beautiful/ handsome for your event they should not be concerned with bring money for drinks. As much as I love my people the something world be compromised. It’s classy to have open bar even if it’s for half of the length of time of your reception.