If a cash bar is unacceptable, what do you suggest people do instead?

I offer the WW advice wheel. Just take a spin. lol

I personally see nothing wrong with cash bars if you provide other drinks options. I see no reason why you should not invite the people you want. I wouldn't cut back on people you love just because you can't afford drinks. Most people are not judgemental enough to care.

I wanted a dry wedding or cash bar along with my fiancé because we don't drink whatsoever and MIL freaked out, my side of the family is religious and doesn't drink, his side of the family is the biggest drinkers you could ever meet, so she offered to pay for it. Is someone pushing this bar or do you guys want it too? If someone is pushing it they should be paying. In my opinion, if you aren't big drinkers then just have a dry wedding and people won't think much of it, but if people know you are big drinkers and you have a cash bar then they might see it as cheap. but at the same time, it's your wedding, do you what you want. what is more important, your marriage or alcohol? And if alcohol is important to your celebration, Is there something else that could be cut to afford alcohol, flowers, etc?

I would love to know when open bar became synonymous with weddings? Or when not having one means you are a horrible host? I always carry cash to a wedding to tip the bartender if I choose to drink, and we are having a hybrid bar set up. I just don't understand it.

Rebecca in a lot of social groups it's considered rude. I've never seen a cash bar at a wedding. I normally don't carry cash so I'd need to go out and find an ATM if I wanted a drink.

At my wedding we are allowed to bring our own liquor and serve ourselves. Two family friends volunteered to serve the liquor and I am going to costco to purchase it. I am having a small wedding so this should only cost like $350 - $400. I guess that could be an alternative of having a venue who doesn't require you to hire a full bar company.

Tatooed; don't let friends serve liquor. It opens you up to all kinds of liability even if you don't think so.

@celiamilton they are licensed bartenders

@tattooed Licensed or not, that leads to a whole heap of liability issues, even with insurance.

Well I will take that gamble. Has worked for us the past 6 years at the same venue with 20 different parties.

Our venue doesn't offer a open bar per say but we have to buy beer/wine in advance based on our number of guests and it will be served for the evening or until it runs out. We ordered well over the amount we will need because anything unopened will be refunded.

@Tattooed that is the same mentality a drunk driver takes......until they hit something or kill someone.

View Quoted Comment Saying something is tacky and not giving an alternative instead of offering a solution is not helpful. You don't know her budget. Maybe she's smart and would rather not pay for the wedding for a year after it's over. Priorities.