Is a cash bar at my reception ok?

Broken record here , not its not okay it's never okay.

No cash bars ever.

Wow, @Amanda, "Your habit is not my problem"?

WTF? People who want to have a glass or wine or beer...or a cocktail...do not have a "habit".

The last time I checked, alcohol is a legal substance for those over the age of 21. Habit has nothing to do with it. Proper hosting does.

We are having beer and wine because we picked a package where it's included. Then everything else is a cash bar. It is our wedding and we won't let anyone tell us what we should or shouldn't do. We've been to plenty of weddings where it's either been just a cash bar or beer & wine and then a cash bar. We don't have any issue with either.

@KisstheKochs why not just host beer and wine? Guests should never need to open their wallets

Holy shit. This thread!

@LibbyLane Because our venue is a restaurant also and their bar is always open so we can't only do beer and wine.

In my honest opinion. If you cannot afford an open bar, by all means, have a cash bar. It's not about the alcohol, it's about the celebration of the beginning of your marriage. Personally, we are doing cash bar but there will be free beer (kegs). Not many people on my fiance's side really drink alcohol anyways. It's just what we are most comfortable with. I have never been to a wedding that didn't have a cash bar. Do what you are comfortable with.

So many weddings I'm glad I'm not invited to although I'd be uninvited since I'd tell the bride to her face how awful her hosting was.

No cash bar

I didn't realize cash bars were this common. Even my parents think this is rude AF. They would have laughed in my face if I even suggested it.

My parents would be horrified if my guests would have to pay for their drinks. I'd be horrified if my guests had to help pay for my party.

@Houligan, I just think would people charge their guests for a glass of wine or beer at a house party?

No never

Cash bars are somewhat subjective...depends on who you ask. Look weddings are expensive and every time I've attended a wedding, I haven't spent *thousands of dollars* to attend. If that's the case, I won't go. And it's not like the alcohol being offered is top shelf anyway. I am having a bar hosted to a certain dollar amount and then after that it becomes a cash bar. Quite frankly I'm not paying for people to get sloshed all night. If that's the case then they can go to an after hours spot. But I'm not going to be completely broke after the wedding just because "the norm" will think I'm rude for not having a hosted bar...really???!! FOH..

It's your wedding do it your way how YOU LIKE IT!

If you can't afford an open bar, you can't afford your wedding. Cut the guest list until you can properly host people.

Don't pass the cost of your wedding off to your guests, it's a totally tacky plan.

I just have one question.. I'm offering wine and beer. Why is it rude to have cash bar as an option if someone else wants a mixed drink instead of wine and beer?

No-one should have to pull out their wallet at a wedding that you are hosting. Would you make people pay for drinks at your house if you're hosting a dinner party?

ETA: Beer and wine is fine, those are perfectly valid options. Just don't have the cash part part and you're good.

WW on the weekend turns to shit. The m-f veterans aren't all here to set people straight.

And for the record, your guests shouldn't have to open their wallets at your wedding.

No cash bar.

I wandered into a blizzard.