Cash Bar

Etiquette isn't an opinion, you can't disagree with it. Unless you're just admitting you don't care about properly hosting guests...

No, No and No.

@HailyMarie no one is forcing you to get a gift,a new outfit, or even come. I don't want a guest like you holding that over my head because you had to pay for a drink. Come on. You go to a wedding to show your love and support. I will be offering drinks at the cocktail hour. That fits in my budget.

Your ceremony is for showing love & support. Your reception is to thank your guests for showing their love & support. I.E. properly hosting them with a meal & drinks in which they don't have to pay for.

@Mrsmck I don't have etiquettes cause I don't offer a night of open bar. It's definitely your opinion.

I have never read anywhere that an open bar is required to have a wedding and that it is rude to give the option to buy drinks... especially if you are having a wedding somewherr that requires you to pay $6-$10 per drink per person. We calculated out how much that would cost at minimum ( 1 drink per person per hour) and came to $2400, at the very best case. There's no way I'm gonna put my credit card up at a consumption based bar and get hit with a possible $6000 bill to start my marriagr, and I wouldn't expect my parents to pay that either. Y'all are way too wrapped up in keeping up with the Jones'.

Sometimes I get on these posts just to read the comments. Okay, all the time...

@HailyMarie I appreciate your opinion, but my guest will see my love and support. I am not going in debt cause people want me to host a open bar all night. Sorry not sorry.

@VSwedding at least let people know. I think most guests would prefer you cut expenses in other areas and provide beer and wine longer. There are lots of areas to cut: cheaper flowers, no wedding favors, shorter reception, etc.

You don't have "ettiquetes" ... I just can't tonight. Nope. Can't.

The thing about the bar and the entire reception, really, is that it is a thank you to your guests. For taking the time out of their weekend, some may have to travel, maybe purchasing a new outfit, bringing a gift, etc. The ceremony is for you, the reception is for everyone. You really should be trying to cater to all your guests and make them happy. Beer and wine at least. Maybe a consumption bar would be good if there aren't a ton of drinkers, but regardless, it should be offered.

Good luck VSwedding & Ryanna . At least OP took the advice.

I've been a guest at cash bar/dry weddings. Every time I've attended one of those weddings I left early and headed to a bar. Or bought my own liquor to the wedding. As long as your comfortable with your guest leaving early and probably complaining about you behind your back, then proceed to do what you want.

Ryanna? Your opinion is dead wrong.

I can show my love and support from home if you have not interest in showing YOUR love and support by offering me a glass of wine. If you're going into debt? Guess what? You didn't plan well. You wanted to invite more people than you can host. That is always the end answer to these threads.

@Celia, not sure why you're trying to tear other brides down

My FH and i do not drink but will be provided an open bar for our guests to enjoy. Cash bars are rude.

Celia isn't trying to tear other brides down. This is her profession, she knows what she's talking about and she's being 100% honest

Wait she's a vendor talking to people like that?

Nobody is being torn down in this thread. It's all brutal honesty & good advice sweetheart. You're just choosing not to take it.

In any case, the op was only asking how to word what she wanted to do. Weddings are expensive, we can all agree. What is the point in spending $20,000 for one night? Why encourage anyone tp stray away from the kind of wedding they wanted? Idk it's really frustrating to see anyone feel the need to tell anyone else how to spend their money, and they weren't even asked that question.