If you want to have a cash bar..

Oh, we're not allowed to say cash bars are tacky? I'm so confused by these new WW rules. I thought as long as we didn't "personally attack" we could still give criticism of ideas (well, according to what the guidelines say).

I also went to a wedding a couple weeks ago with cash bar, SODA TOO $3 for a coke..... so crazy!

Well, I find the "idea" of a cash bar tacky. Is that allowed?

I'm south if Boston and most venues I have been to its $25-$40 a person for open bar we are just doing beer and wine

These per person open bar costs are all so awesome. Even $40-$60 would be great, lol.

My fiancé and I are getting married March 2017. We are fortunate enough to be in the financial position to have an open bar. I'm kind of mind blown by all of the negativity here regarding cash bars. I would much rather my friends ask me to buy my beer than see them have a ridiculous amount of debt because someone said they HAVE to buy my drinks.

Drinks aside... Isn't the whole day supposed to be about celebrating the love between my FH and I?

@Michelle M. Yes we are celebrating the couple and I did so by packing up my family, renting the hotel, getting a blow out to look nice, sitting in traffic, giving up my holiday weekend, and enjoying their beautiful ceremony in the heat.

Is it too much to ask for wine or beer with dinner?

Matt- uh oh! You're going to get flagged/warned too! (Join the club).

Michelle, the rationale is that you should have a wedding where you are able to financially host your guests properly, nobody suggests going into debt. This might mean inviting less people, or etc. That being said, we partially had a cash bar -- BUT I think it's the highest alcohol cost in North America minus maybe some of the territories/Alaska possibly. Even then I would still encourage people not to have a cash bar, unless they live where I live (Alberta).

Cash bars are especially tacky in the case where the couple splurges on non-essential items, like decor, floral arrangements, etc. Yes, everyone has their own priority, but the comfort of family and friends should always be high up on that priority list.

Wow. This whole thing is rediculous. We are having a cash bar because his family is full of alcoholics. Sorry if I don't want sloppy drunks at my wedding. Besides. Free drinks? I'm already paying for free dinner, discounted hotel accommodations, photobooth, favors, and in return I ask for nothing. If people want to give us gifts that's fantastic. If not, I'm perfectly happy with their company. Sorry if I don't want to spend extra money to have my wedding ruined. Wine will be on every table. I think that's sufficient. I've been to a wedding with both a cash bar and open bar and I had fun at both. If it's really a hassle to come to my wedding then don't. Free drinks shouldn't come into play here

I have no clue about anything. Last time I was at a wedding was my cousins when I was 17. I'm glad I opened this thread up. I had no idea a cash bar was frowned upon. I wanted to have enough to where the guests didn't have to pay anyway like the $500 limit thing but I will definitely give my card to the bartender in case it goes over $500. I don't want to upset the guests

Jessica, that's unfortunate that your family has alcohol problems. Where I'm from in Alberta, cash bars do not prevent sloppy drunks.

Also, most hotels provide discounts on their own for room blocks - did you provide an additional discount? If yours didn't you should switch to a different hotel.

@Christinaz I'm glad I wrote it then. If it helps one person see a different side then great! I'm just giving several guests insight at an event. At the end of the day you do you. But definitely ask your venue about all your options!

Cash bars are just rude. You gave me the invitation...

Also, I think it's not nice to NOT include that it is a cash bar. I don't carry cash and some won't even do cards. I agree with above, I'm spending money on gift, gas, probably hotel, to come to your day and I get to watch you say your vows then pay to have a drink? I'll eat and beat feet.

"rediculous"

@Jessica like I said, you do you. You have your opinion, I have mine. Just letting you know what majority of guests said and did, which was say it felt cheap and rude (no one took favors or cared about a photo booth), and left after dinner.

Thanks sarah that was 100 percent the entire point of my post

If you are attending a wedding expecting free dinner, free drinks, favors, reduced priced hotel rooms, and free favors then I'm sorry but you are the cheap and rude one. You should be attending solely to celebrate my new husband and myself. Not to cash in on our happiness

@Jessica you realize your alcoholic family members will BUY drinks, right?

The only thing worse than a cash bar is a dry wedding. Went to my first one this March and the guests were all talking. Not even having an option to buy alcohol (because that would have cost them extra to have a bartender there) made everyone leave pretty early.