Having a Cash Bar.......Simply must say this!!!

I think as long as people know they will be expected to bring money to your wedding, then it is not a bad thing. I never think about going to an ATM before a wedding, because most of the time the liquor is covered. So I would be more upset at myself for not bringing some money for the drinks. Are you planning on announcing that it will be a cash bar? Because the Jack and Jill party's are held solely for the fundraising part.

It is a regional/traditional thing. I am having a beer/wine/set-ups wedding and if my guests want hard alcohol they can bring it in. I picked my venue in order to have that option because everywhere else would have been a lot of money for an open bar or even beer/wine service. I have a very small budget and we are even doing our own food.

My wedding will actually be a bit of a departure for most of my guests, since in Minnesota most weddings are cash bar weddings. If that is what your guests are used to, I would not worry about it. I think it's less tacky than throwing a Jack and Jill IMO.

I don't have an issue with a cash bar in most cases. We are all on a budget. But if a bride is going to spent $2000 on a dress- she can save some of that to properly entertain her guests. I would never host a party- reception or backyard bbq- without offering my guests alcohol.

I would never host a party asking for money to pay for the wedding. I don't know what a Jack and Jill is... I thought they were like bachelor and bachelorette parties.

It's a regional thing and an unusual aspect for some people, as are Jack & Jill parties, Dollar Dance, Wishing Well, Money Tree, etc.

Apparently there are a couple of ways to do a Jack and Jill party::

http://www.mybigfatengagement.com/whats-a-jack-and-jill-party/

Just make sure your guests know. We went to a wedding that was cash bar for everything even soda and the bride and groom did not tell anyone this. We couldn't wait to get out of there.

I am not sure if one should compare a cash bar to panhandling. That's kind of extreme actually. I personally don't see anything wrong with it. It's not as if you are asking the guest to pay for basic drinks such as water or tea. If someone shells out a "ton" of money on a bar...then that is their choice. I agree a cash bar is okay.

Personally if I went to a wedding and I had a choice between buying my own alcholic beverage or not having one at all...I'd choose to buy my own.

@ Pumpkim-thanks!

@Rachel- we annonced it on our website

@Meghan - my dress was actually $549...lol!

I understand cash bars, don't like them but understand them. You need to let your guests know it's a cash bar though.

Also I have to echo Meghan's comments, if it's going to be a cash bar it better be clear that it's a low budget wedding.

Moneys tight with EVERYONE so as long as everyone knows that it is a cas bar then I think it'll be okay. Spread the word!!

Brian C couldn't have said it any better about the Jack and Jill thing...

For Cash Bar: As long as it's for liqours & tequilas, whiskey & other hard stuff I say go for it. I don't have a problem with it. It's the bride and groom's decision on whether or not they want to serve hard alcohol at their affair.

Now - I have gone to a wedding where if you didn't want water or coffee you had to pay up at the 'cash bar' which I thought was a little ridiculous. $4 for a small diet coke poured into a glass - no thanks.

@Meghan, they are also called Stag and Drags or Buck and Doe..I see on FB a bunch of people from my home town have attended them..however they aren't common among my closer social circle, and I wouldn't feel comfortable having one..I guess they charge admission and serve drinks and have raffles or something to earn money..I say plan what you can afford.

@Future Mrs. I think you can look back as it looks like you've done to see the opinions on this..it really varies by region and if you really can't afford it, it's stupid to have an open bar and go into debt, but like Meghan said if your dress is obviously super expensive guests will def take note.

Kimi K I agree, the wedding we went to charged for coffee, tea and soda. Water with dinner yum, since no one told us and we didn't bring cash, lol. Talk about tacky.

I see nothing wrong with a cash bar (and really its not cash only- u can pay with card in most cases! at least the ones ive seen here) I actually find them nice. Ive never used them but i think its a great way to provide another beverage that you really didnt plan on having at all. I dont have to have alcohol to have fun but some people think they do!

@Aquilla M. Thanks!

lol.....@Glenn you can always be counted on! Thanks!

Although, not sure if "low budget" is the word I would use for my DW beachside wedding!

@ Kim- thanks, soda, water, coffee, tea and champange are free. The cash bar is an option for beer, and liquor

Our venue, like most, charges per head but since half our guests dont drink, they cant split that up so the cash bar is easiest. (besides, out of respect for the man paying for the food, dad, we couldnt ask him to pay for it when he doesnt drink) We will let our guests know on the invites and we are paying for alcohol for our BP.

Why do you want to have a cash bar FMrs Landeros?

I agree with Meghan B. first post! We've set our bar max to $1000 for 60 people if they go over that then they can pay cash. Plus we are all Sailors...so we had to make a budget for drinks. :-) "Drink like a Sailor..." lol

I think it really depends on your location. Where I'm from, a cash bar is the norm - the fact that we're doing an open bar "surprises" people - don't judge LOL, I live in a small town.