No kids, casual dress, no heels and cash bar...

OP needs to elope. It's just that simple.

Who is this person or group of people that write these rules of etiquette that we should all follow? Are they being paid by the alcohol lobby to enforce them LOL? Anyhoo, if Emily Post says that it's ok to have a dry reception, that it is not considered bad manners to do so, then what is the real problem with a cash bar? Rudeness, tackiness aside would drinkers prefer a cash bar to a dry reception? I would because then if I decided I wanted to drink, I would at least have that option.

I definitely think that letting people know about attire and the kids rule is important and absolutely love the flip flops idea! I personally would forgo them for feeling the grass beneath my bare feet!

Please let us know what you decide to do and how it goes!

Your guests shouldn't have to subsidize your party. Yes, a dry wedding is technically "OK" but it should be held at a non-mealtime, like a cake and punch reception at 2 pm. If you have to have your guests pay for anything because you can't afford it, you've invited too many people.

I can't believe this post is still going lol

Cash bar is fine if thats what u want to do !

Ah M....trotting out an old fake justification for being cheap..."my guests drink like fish and I won't pay for them to get sloppy and dance on the bar".

No one believes that's a good reason except you but if you can justify that for hosting poorly, then go for it. When every envelope that previously had cash in it is suspiciously light, you can learn an important lesson; even if no one complains to your face? No one wants to pay for their drinks.

But thank you for pointing out that weddings are expensive. No one had figured that out.

Perhaps they wouldn't be so much if all the other crap the media shoves down your collective throats (and you begin to believe) got axed in favor of actually hosting well. No one leaves a wedding thinking, 'wow, that was fabulous! I got a pair of flip flops and a koozie with someone elses name on it! And there were programs, and menus and OMG CUTE SIGNS!"

Spend the money on a bar. Making people pay is rude and just serves as a neon sign that you invited too many people on not enough money.

I have never hosted a party " poorly" i have always had great food and entertainment and served beverages! I am sorry i do not find it neccessary to provide alcohol. If u want it u pay for it. Bc i know for a fact when ppl hear thats its an open bar they take advantage of that and then you are stuck with a huge bill. Sorry. Its not rude and yes maybe kn this thread ppl disagree with my opinion and that is perfectly fine. Im entilted to my opinion n so are u. But your not going to please everyone so those who are planning a wedding need to do what they wish to do, bc it is truely about celebrating the bride n groom

That's called a consumption bar, M.

I put on my rsvp "A celebration for adults only" and also put on it how many seats were reserved for you my saying is my money my day my way

My open bar is a flat rate included. Paid for before the event. So unless you're doing a consumption bar there is nothing to take advantage of.

The ceremony is for you. The reception is for your guests.

MM do you also charge your guests to drink at holiday parties?

You must have great friends M, if they take advantage of you and you don't want to host them.

Elope.

Actually i have wonderful friends,but some of them love to drink alot, and i know how much alcohol is and like i said b4 i am not paying for ppl to get drunk! Thank you

That's really low. You clearly don't. All that shows is that day is all about you and no one else.

Properly host your guests.

Future ms riccio,

No i do not charge ppl for beverages at holiday parties. The difference is i only serve non alcoholic beverages,our family does not drink alcohol so we dont provide. We do provide,juice soda tea and etc. Also, our holiday parties consist of myabe 20 not 50 + big difference

There will be kids at my wedding incuding mine. I am not having ppl get sloppy drunk, some ppl go overboard on their drinking n cant control their actions. No thanks

The difference with that statement is, how buffet of food is controlled. Everyone gets one serving of the main course and if there is extras they may have it. Alcohol has no limit! Once again big difference, now if you could limit 1 to 2 alcoholic drinks per guess that wouldn't be so bad, but im not paying for ppl to have as many as they please. When sodas abd other beverages are provided for free!

No difference. You have said that your friends like to drink. You are excluding beverages simply because you don't want to pay the extra for an open bar.

That is singling out your friends that will "take advantage" of an open bar. It's a shame you feel that way about your friends.

Our families don't drink much. Our friends do. You better bet we're making sure EVERYONE is getting hosted and the extra hour for the bar is paid for.

It's just good hosting. Whether it's at home or a wedding. Honor your guests and provide for them.

You obviously don't understand how a bar works. It's not your job to limit your guests alcohol consumption. That falls on the bartender.

Quit being cheap.

Thank you for opinion. You did not know me or my friends or family. Which im certainly glad. We are very close so thank you for assuming that

Blah blah