Cash or Open bar???

Open bar, always.

OP-I've never been to a cash bar wedding but my mother still talks about the one she went to 30 years ago and it's not in glowing terms.

If all you know is cash bars, then it's your circle that is etiquette challenged. Learn from it and and grow. Be a good host, host beer and wine.

I'm the first to admit I'm not a Christian (FH is a Buddhist and I'm interested in Buddhism but not ready to call myself a convert yet), but I don't get why getting people to pay for drinks is less sinful than giving them away free. Doesn't that kinda open some doors for other sin-for-pay exchanges being okay?

Our venue doesn't even have a cash bar option. It isn't a thing around here. Drinks are just included in our headcount.

I had Christians, kids, and free booze at my wedding. I don't understand how having alcohol you pay for is somehow more responsible than free alcohol if you're truly worried about adults drinking around kids. I think it's just an excuse people use to make themselves feel better because nobody likes to say that they're just too cheap to provide it. My family has also been having family parties with booze forever. Kids don't need to be sheltered from the fact that some adults like to drink alcohol.