Is a cash bar at my reception ok?

@Katarina, that's what bartenders and liability insurance are for. Cash bar or not, if there's not a bartender and/or insurance, you're still liable. Why not do the polite thing and pay for the alcohol and someone who knows how to serve it responsibly?

My friends have taken such great care of me over the years. The least I can do is provide them free drinks on the happiest day of my life thus far.

I guess if you know you're being rude, at least you're owning it.

I've been to 30 something weddings in the past 20 years and not one has been a cash bar. I've been to several that were just beer and wine, but never cash. A cash bar is reminiscent of high school grad.

@OfishallyPerron since you are luck to have someone pay for your honeymoon and contribute towards your wedding, maybe you could consider offering your guests beer and wine that you pay for. Most of us are paying for all of these things out of our own pockets and are still offering at least beer and wine.

I always say open bar is the best!! Your guests will be very happy.

Cash bar

^no.

No.

If you want to do a cash bar then do it, who cares what these other women think as far as it being "tacky" and rude. Your paying thousands of dollars for a wedding and inviting people to come and attend that you don't have too so it's not going to kill them if they have to pay for a drink.

Adriele, you should know better than to give such awful advice.

Adriele, no. Just no. What you're describing is very poor hosting. Your guests, who have spent hundreds of dollars to attend your wedding, should not be opening their wallets during your reception.

Most weddings we've been to in the last few years have had cash bars. I've never heard a guest complain. Maybe it's just our group of friends....? Some people can't afford it....everyone is still happy to be there and celebrate with them though and it's nice to have the option to drink whatever we want, even if it's on us.

WTF is going on here today...

@Kayy, no. Just....no.

If I am hosting a party of any sort I want to give my guests the best possible experience. That includes free alcohol.

They are celebrating an important milestone in my life and if they are traveling and spending money on attire and possibly a gift, as well as a hotel, and meals outside the wedding, the VERY LEAST I can do is not make them pay to have an alcoholic beverage

Beer/wine/champagne is much cheaper than liquor!

Cash bars are totally wrong and rude. Your GUESTS should not have pay for a drink at a party you're HOSTING. If you can't afford at least beer and wine you're budgeting wrong.

These threads are tiresome.

@adriele, you're*

No