Just Beer and Wine or Cash Bar? Tacky?

Here is the thought that occured to me. To us in "cash bar country", the people who are saying you are a bad host if you don't give people free liquor are equivalent to people in "open bar country" saying you are a bad host if you don't serve $200 champagne and top top shelf liquor.

Wow, this thread took on a life of it's own and I was the subject of posts from people I do not yet know.

Heh heh!

Now, as far as someone showing up at a wedding with an unsealed envelope, deciding if the hosts forked over enough for the guests standards, before leaving the gift....THAT is tacky.

Omg not this again!! its all by region... were i am from its the norm though for others it not. it is not tacky just customs.. and that is all i am going to say.. before i need a drink myself

Wow, I'm almost sorry that I asked this question. Who knew there'd be so much commotion! Thanks for all the opinions.

I'm doing beer/prosecco and a specialty drink.

I think you could make beer and wine available and then they can pay cash if they want hard liquor. That way they still get a free drink if they want one.

Cash bar in my opinion is alil tacky.....beer and wine for 100 shouldnt be that bad. Where the hell are u from that a keg is 350???

Alot of liquor stores will give a discount for quanity and may even buy back what you may not use so you may wanna check different places!! =)

Wow....drama drama drama!! lol

The Country Club where we are having it does not allow us to bring in alcohol. Their cost for the keg is 350 for domestic, 425 for premium! EHHH!

Wow i dont have that problem, my venue I can go either way $6 per person for open bar AND I can bring whatever they dont have on their drink menu or I can jus bring my own. But 350 for a keg that is outrageous!! Maybe you can provide 1 keg and wine and just have it for part of the wedding like cocktail hr or during dinner and have cash after that.

I just think that you are inviting loved ones and should provide something for them. But also my family and friends are all old fashioned and old school Italians always go outta their way when hosting!! lol

@Michelle N--thanks for the tip! I had no idea some liquor stores would buy back unused alcohol! Which is silly, since my fFIL works at a wine shop. I'll ask him what his store does. I bet I'd get a discount

I will say that I have been to more cash bar weddings than open bar weddings and I have never taken offense at this (and I would probably be classified as a drinker). I have also been to weddings with free beer and wine but cash bar for other drinks. Last summer I went to a wedding with one keg already paid for and cash bar for everything else. The bride and groom told people the keg was already paid for so people would know that was an option (and there was still plenty of it left at the end of the reception). I say do whatever you can and are comfortable with and those country club prices are ridiculous, its unfortunate.

Also, let me add--I think it's hilarious that while women get characterized as losing our friggin minds over shoes, it's the booze thread on here that gets the most attention by far. Alcohol--uniting women and men by putting them at each other's throats over $4 martinis. Bahahahaha

@ Tammy E, depends of course of where you are at, but many places will if you tell them its for a wedding and yes always try for discounts lol especially when you know someone!! lol

Again no one said you have to have an open bar, but like I said before if your wedding is "classy" liquor should be provided by the host. Instead of spending so much money on a vennue where you can not afford the venue, try having your reception somewhere where you can afford to properly take care of your guests. This is not meant for people who have small budgets, this is meant for people who want extravagant venues, but want to cut back in other areas. Just because you serve liquor doesn't mean people need it to have a good time. FYI the ceremony is about the couple, the reception is about the guests. Where I am from it is in bad taste not to have an open bar. Yes I do seal envelopes at the last minute. I wait to see what kind of hostess you are before I give you my money and I have a right to do that. Hell if I'm giving you $200 for a $10 meal without liquor.

Not all venues will allow you to bring your own, especially when it comes to beer and liquor. In Oregon, you can bring your own wine, but, you pay a corkage fee of anywhere from $10-30 per bottle.

As far as buying back alcohol, again, check with the store, before you assume you can return unused alcohol. Again, this will vary, state by state, due to liquor laws.

I think it all depends on where you are, If I were to have my wedding in Alaska, I'd have a cash bar, because I'm not going to pay 75 PER BOTTLE, opened for an open bar, and the venue I am going with in Arizona doesn't allow hard liquor so I will be having an open beer/wine bar, with of course champagne for toasting.

@Briana S, exactly. People tend to generalize, rather than realizing that every part of the country will have different traditions, laws and price structures.

This is a time when one size does not fit all.