Cash Bar

What about a cap of say 1000 on the bar

We are doing beer and wine only for 80 people and it only cost 650 total. Just buy a little here and there over time . It's doable and way less tacky than charging guests for drinks

OP..... don't do a cash bar

Don't put a cap on the car either.

You have a while start buying 2 bottles every check that's what we did last year we now have enough alcohol for an army of people and it didn't break the bank

If you can not afford open bar I am assuming that you are not planning on spending money on a DJ, photo booth, wedding favors, or other things that are not necessary and are expenses that can be eliminated to pay for drinks.

I suggest you do a short daytime wedding without any adult beverages (cash bars are not an option at all). You can do a ceremony and a lunch reception or a late afternoon ceremony and dessert. I personally do not want to attend a 4-5 hour reception on a Friday or Saturday night with a DJ, dance floor, and photo booth but then be told I need to pay cash for drinks. I do not have an issue with a Saturday or Sunday afternoon event that involves a ceremony and a nice lunch.

@Amanda and @Alicia v. most venues do not let you bring your own alcohol

Seriously.

If you were vegan, would you only serve vegan food even if the majority of your guests are carnivores and would like a piece of meat? No, right? Same thing with a bar.

At least do beer and wine. It's a cheaper option and definitely much nicer than a cash bar. Your guests shouldn't have to open their wallets for anything at your wedding. If you do proceed with a CB, let word of mouth do it for you. I guarantee it'll work.

If I was vegan I'd only serve vegan food. It would be against my conscience, to do otherwise.

Thank you for all the advice. The reason I had asked was so many people told me to do a cash bar and that it didn't matter. So I'm glad to have more opinions who aren't just thinking budget.

I am doing one hour beer and wine for cocktail hour and then cash bar reception . My venue doesn't offer cash bar it's consumption bar. That's too expensive for our budget. Guest will be forewarn in advance. Cutting my guest list is unrealistic. If guest do not like it then they have the choice not to come simple as that.

^^^

Expect everyone to leave after cocktail hour.

@VSwedding yeah they'll be better off not coming.

@Jennifer - Thank you for taking the advice so graciously! Many people don't.

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@MrsMck exactly they have a choice.

I hate to disagree with everyone, but a cash bar is not rude by any means. People are there to share your day, not get drunk. Don't get sucked in to other people advising you what you should use your money for. Personally, my wedding is on a Sunday, so we are doing an open hosted beer and wine cocktail hour with a cash bar through the remainder of the reception. I would explain the cash bar on your wedding website, not on the invitation.

Entitled ? HA! How about guests who spend $100s of dollars to travel, buy a new outfit, pay for hotel accommodations, & buy you a nice gift ? Because that's the kind of guest I am. So when I'm expected to shovel out more money..? Yea, not happening.

Man oh man....

Here we go again