Cash or Open bar???

There are no pros to a cash bar. Open bar (even beer and wine only) is always the right choice.

ETA: Cons to a cash bar is you look cheap because you invited people to an event and didn't properly host them. Guests have to pay more money after they travelled, got you a gift, paid for lodging/transportation... etc.

Open bar.

Never cash.

ALWAYS have open bar.

Cash bars are a no. Your guests should not pull out their money for a drink.

Open bars alll the way.

Girl! Open Bar - No if's, and's or but's.

While I view it as whatever your decision is that matters, some guests could potentially be off put by this. However, think of events and weddings you have gone to with your family and friends. All of the weddings my FH and I have gone to have been a cash bar and most parties hosted for holidays and events have been BYOB. Our family and friends know we love them and want to see them (we are only in the area twice a year), that we are over our heads in student debt, and instead of going the more affordable route and hosting in NC where we live, we are traveling to our hometown in WI to get married. We are comfortable with having a cash bar with all of those factors. I would consider past events/weddings and how you would react towards cash bar vs open bar at a wedding.

I've only been to a handful of weddings and until joining WW never knew about there being an option to an "open bar" bc every one I've been to they had a cash bar.... so just inquiring.

@Kristin Every social group is different. Nobody in my immediate circles found it rude that they were hosted as a cash bar. I was just suggesting that she think of how she and others working her group of family and friends have reacted towards a cash bar vs an open bar.

You have three stars; have you not read any of the massive threads about cash bars and how much 90% of the people here (and on the planet) hate them?

It's not 'affordable'; it is a clear sign that your guest list is too big for you to host properly.....wine and beer is just fine.

There are no pros to cash bars. You don't make your guests pay for drinks after they've paid to come to your wedding; student loans or not. YOU might be comfortable with a cash bar, but your guests, even if they suck it up, are not.

@EVA, yes. That's exactly what I? was going off of, all the events and weddings I've been to in the past have been a "cash bar" so I? didn't even know of any other way.

Eva, your guests will never tell you anything negative to your face.

It's not a social group thing. It's a cheap thing.

Cash bars are less expensive. Open bars cost way more and, from what I hear from friends who are having/have had them, there is more red tape to deal with.

Many will tell you that the only proper way to host your guests is to have an open bar, but I've been to several weddings with a cash bar and never had a bad time (at least not because of the bar).

@Brittney M. That is fair. While I am certain most people on this site greatly disagree with cash bars, I do agree most times in most groups they are unacceptable. However every group is different and that could be something you could consider. In my own instance with finances and appearently not being able to host a large wedding, my family and my FH family are helping with a lot of the cost since we live over 1000 miles away from everyone and are rarely in the area. I have only been told by most of the people on the ww Community it is rude, however amongst the people I actually know, I feel comfortable and confident with my decision.

Open bar cons: None. Everyone will love it and you will be properly hosting your guests.

Cash bar cons: Everyone will secretly hate you and you will not be properly hosting your guests. Its just rude.

"hosted as a cash bar" is the ultimate oxymoron. There is no hosting a bar when it's a cash bar.

@MelissaHH I agree that most people are self entitled and think they have every right to look down their nose at someone who was gracious enough to invite them to their special day.

Ah, I see the time has come to break out my guest and hosting definitions post again:

Guest: a person to whom hospitality is extended

Hospitality: the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers

There is nothing friendly or generous or entertaining about making your guests pay for their own drinks. You don't have to do a full open bar to be hosting correctly - beer and wine only, and maybe a signature drink is a fine option if you are limited on funds.

How can you be gracious and make people pay for something you are supposedly "hosting" at the same time??

Oh the contradictions in this thread...

You have 3 stars, you should already know this

@celia how ever many stars a person hasn't doesn't matter. Also no I? have not sat and read through the massive threads, but I? do believe this is a platform to ask whatever question we may have.

And as I? am new to wedding planning most things that you others may know and be very versed with I AM NOT.

Nor does me asking this question mean I can’t afford to have an open bar just simply inquiring.