Cash Bar

I don't think it is rude at all. I have been to weddings before where it was a cash bar. If you are worried some weddings I have been in they have done an open bar at JUST the cocktail hour, or open bar for just the bridal party. Open bar beer and wine only. There are so many different combos. To answer your question again, not I do not think that it is rude, I would however give your BMs and GMs a head up if it will be a cash bar so they can be prepared somtimes the BMs don't have all the goods with them.

I don't know if rude is the word... I went to a wedding where there was a cash bar and it kinda put a damper on the reception... for me but lots of people had a good time. and the couple getting married was very religious. I personally think they are just tacky... you are hosting a party for your friends, you don't have to have an open bar but maybe just wine or beer and cash for other drinks. I'm doing wine and beer only and it saves a lot of money.

It is not rude. However, I would somehow let guests know that it is a cash bar so they know ahead to have cash.

Oh boy.....was this a sore subject with my circle!! I think WW had a post on it too. My fh wanted a cash bar. I said 'no', I'd rather have NO bar. I'll tell you what I was told: (1) no bar, (2)give out tickets, say 2, pp and then cash bar after that, (3) limited time frame for open bar--say 2 hrs. We decided to have a bar @ a cost of 900.00 for 4 hrs including the cocktail hr.

I went to a wedding last spring where the couple could not afford alcohol so they said no alcohol at all. It sucked. Not that you absolutely have to have alcohol, but being able to bring your own would have been nice. It helps to loosen people up though. Only like 10 people out of 300 were dancing. I think that making it available even if they have to pay for it is fine.

No it is not rude however you need to clarify the cost. We found out that it is costing us $100 just to offer a cash bar. If you don't drink and the alcohol is for the guests you may just want to say no alcohol!

Personally, I agree with kelseyj...I think that they are a little tacky. I just feel is people are taking a whole day for you and buying you a nice gift, then there should be an open bar. I feel that she should not have to spend extra money on drinks. But if you do decide to do a cash bar, I would definately tell people ahead of time so they are prepared to bring money.

If you choose to do a cash bar or some sort of combo that includes a cash element, be SURE to let your guests know! I don't mind cash bars, personally... but I DO get irritated when I haven't been told about it and don't come prepared.

Open bars are soooo expensive! and this was a huge debate between the fh and I. we aren't heavy drinkers but we definately needed something there....i mean we are hosting the party; meaning we provide people with drinks, food, entertainment. so we decided to have open bar with 4 differnet kind of beers and three signature cocktails that people can order-so it's kinda open bar, just with a limited amount of choices!

It's understandable that weddings are planned within a budget. Perhaps you could mitigate the issue and offer beer and wine...this would minimize your cost. The other option is to offer one or two specialty drinks rather than a full fledged open bar. If I could not afford some type of alcoholic beverage I would choose a dry wedding rather than subject the guests to paying for it.

It depends on the region/area you are getting married in and what your guests are used to, where I'm getting married, it's normal to have a cash bar, and nobody is offended. We are offering open bar from 5pm - 6pm, and then closing the bar for supper (it;s the law here) and then when it's re-open it is cash bar.

Umm... as a moderate alcoholic (ok I'm kidding but anyways...) I would MUCH prefer a cash bar to a dry wedding. Especially if you are expecting people to dance and whatnot. Just make sure to tell people in advance so they know to bring cash. However, can you pull it off to where maybe beer and wine is free and the rest is cash?

Our venue is in 5 miles up a winding road, I really dont want my drunk friends and family driving down it. Besides our venue really, really pushed for us to have a cash bar. Soda, coffee and tea are free. We want Mead and have to supply it on our own plus pay a corking fee so we decided not to charge our guest for that (since its already paid for).

Beer, Wine, and a Signature Drink?

Just think about it. If you have a cash bar, perhaps that $50 uncle Joe was planning to slip into your card box is now going to the bar, because he reealllyyy needs that vodka martini or 4. I know its a stretch, but they are your guests, I would scale the bar back and pay for it.

When i spoke to my venue about the open bar issue (which i have to have- i think it's tacky to have a cash bar)...she suggested quite a few things- you can have a select liquor "menu" where the open bar is a select number of drinks only for your guests, you can even have funny names to them. that way it's not "premium" top shelf open bar.

@Danie, can I come? lol mead sounds awesome, yum!

I agree w/FMS the feeling on cash bars really depends on where you are from. I haven't never in my life been to a wedding that has had a fully open bar. Many do provide beer and some beer and wine. I also haven't been to one w/a signature drink, but am thinking I might want one. As of right now FH and I are providing the beer and wine and any drinks made w/liquor will need to be paid for. We might also do something w/tickets (maybe for bridal party?) but I am not sure.

I think they're tacky. Why not just have select drinks instead of an open bar. Or just beer. Or a margarita machine. I donno.

I think the key word is "guest." If they're your guests, then you shouldn't be charging them.

Well the thing is is that i am having 80-100 guest and not everyone drinks only a small amount of people would be drinking so i did not want to waste money (1000.00) in an area that is really not needed also i have a fear of my guests drinking then possibly driving home from my wedding .....dont want that on my consious ya know? So what i did is i did a cash bar but a open bar for my bridal party and parents but i am going to find out how much a 2hr open bar would be i never thought about that... Thanks!

I have never been to a fully open bar either, usually its just free wine, and then it is cashbar but not full price it was always a toonie bar. I am having a toonie bar also, but givin each guest a ticket for one drink