Cash Bar

I don't think that it's tacky, I'm actually thinking about the same IDEA, because PAYING for the Liquor is going to be about 3 thousand more then just soda alone, so I was thinking about paying for the soda option and then also having a cash bar for the liquor drinkers at my reception....

I think cash bars are a great idea. My venue doesn't have the option of cash bar. They supply the non alcoholic drinks as part of my package as well as a bartender. But if I want alcohol it all has to be purchased and supplied by me and it's an open bar. To save money we aren't having a full bar, just beer, wine and margaritas.

I think your idea sounds just fine!

Thanks girls! What about offering a Cash bar at the Cocktail party also for the guests that want beer, cocktails, etc.?

Sorry, but I think they are tacky... if you can't afford the open bar what about just wine and beer?

I also think they are tacky. But I suppose a cash bar is better than no bar or yadayada's idea of just doing wine and beer. If you do decide to do a cash bar make sure you guests know so they come prepared. I never expect to need money at a wedding.

That is where I am conflicted. Fiance and father not willing to pay for others to drink BUT........

Will your venue let you bring in your own alcohol? This is one way to cut back on your expenses - you can get those big jugs of liquor from costco. My local grocery store also sells huge jugs of wine. For beer you could get a keg... then just have someone serve it so it looks "classy"... just an idea...

I say do what you have to do. We aren't have any alcohol at ours at all. Nothing to do with money although it is helping us save some. We are doing because we don't want it there.

No, I am not permitted to bring Alcohol into the venue. It is a Country Club,therefore, everything MUST come from there.

I'm torn on the cash bar. On the one hand I think it's tacky to make guest pay for their own drinks. On the other, I don't think you NEED alcohol to have a good time.

Will you be offering non alcoholic beverages for free? I think if you did that, then a cash bar would be ok.

@Lovely

Maybe on their wedding website?

I like JulyBride's idea. Another way to do it would be to pay for open bar for like 1 hour, and then have it become a cash bar after that. You could have your DJ make an announcement.

@sweet_firefly - you may not NEED alcohol to have a good time, but it sure helps! :-)

We're not having a bar at all. I have been to weddings where the bar was open for cocktail hour then closed during dinner and reopened after dinner. If you are concerned about the cost of open bar, consider doing drink tickets where each guest gets maybe 2 drink tickets and that's it. you could also do signature drinks. That's usually cheaper. I'm kind of on the fence for cash bars for a wedding. I mean if you can't afford it then you just can't. But I'm kinda like why deprive the guests jsut b/c we can't afford it. Some people look forward to having drinks at the reception and would be happy to pay for their own. We did cash bar for my sister's engagement party. and on the bottom of the envelopes in italics I just put "A cash bar will be available." Everyone was okay with it b/c all the food and desserts were provided.

We are doing a cash bar for folks who want to drink beyond what we are providing. Although we will provide Wine during dinner and Champagne for the toast. Soda, specialty teas, and coffee are provided unlimited within our package.

We are having an open bar for one hour, then closing for supper, but will provide 2 bottles of wine per table for toasts, then after that it will re-open as cash bar. We luck out because we can bring in our own liqour and will only charge $2.00 per drink. Pop and punch coffee and tea is all free. That's the way it is around here.

Wait you guys can bring your own liquor and you're going to charge your guests?

I like the ticket idea. We are having a bottle of Champagne on each table as well. If that is not enough they will have the option of purchasing their own.

I don't think it's tacky. I wanted to do a beer and wine bar with cash cocktails to save money, but SC doesn't allow for cash bars except for nonprofits or political parties. So, instead, we're just doing a full open bar.. it's not *too* expensive ($8/person and we have around 100 guests), and since one of our top priorities was ensuring that our guests have a great time, we decided it's worth it. In my experience, no alcohol makes for kind of a lame event, haha... I want people to dance and enjoy themselves!

That said, we're fortunate that we can afford that option. If I were a guest to your event, I'd much rather you offered a cash bar to save yourself money than no alcohol at all!

I definitely agree that cash bar is better than nothing at all!

That's why I said they can do a Cash bar, my venue, doesn't allow outside alcohol, so they have to provide it or it cain't be done. I'm offing a Cash bar option, but the sodas and juices I will pay for, that way whomever wants to drink can, I'm not a a big drinker and I doubt I will drink at my reception outside of the champagne toast... but I mean to each they own for me I'm not trying to eat up 75% of my budget on my venue to add alcohol... but that's just me....