NOT Having an Open Bar at Our Formal Wedding... Thoughts?

Cash bars are extremely rude. You shouldn't put your costs off on your guests.

Uh oh.....

No. I provided full open bar for the entire 6 hours my guests were with us.

Change the plans, ditch the frames, cancel the photobooth and don't make your guests pay for anything.

My FH is still salty about the cash bar wedding we drove across 3 states to get to

This is the first time I used the word salty! Did I do it right?!

#youngandhip

Do a consumption bar, or just do beer & wine. Please don't do cash bar.

Can you do consumption? You just pay for the number of drinks consumed? That may be significantly cheaper for you than a full open for any amount of time, if the majority of his family won't drink at all.

That sounds confusing AF for your guests.

FYI- I'd rather have chicken, no photobooth, no "keepsakes", and an open bar.

Cash bars are extremely rude.

Cut the photobooth.

Do at least beer and wine all night.

Or do a consumption bar (pay only for drinks consumed since a good amount of people won't be drinking at all in your case).

I would much prefer free alcohol over a photo booth and keepsake frames. Seriously.

Also is your only meal option filet mignon?

We are having an open bar the full reception also. Sorry, but your guests will not care as much about extra "keepsakes". It's more important to host them properly.

Skip the photo booth and keepsake frames, they end up in the trash anyways. Get the upgrade.

I think your idea will be very confusing for guests. I wouldn't be thrilled if I got a drink during the first hour, and went to get another later only to be told that now I have to pay for it.

Regardless of your FH's family being mostly Muslim, presumably there will be guests there who do imbibe: it is not courteous to those guests to take others into higher consideration the way you're thinking.

I've been to weddings where they had free drinks in the beginning and then the bar became a cash bar at some point and I have to tell you it's not fun. Actually, it's confusing. At some point, someone goes up to the bar and tries to get a drink, and they find out it's suddenly going to cost them. They tell a few guests, and before you know it, guests are confused as to whether any drinks are still being hosted or not.

Personally, I'd much prefer chicken and no photo booth if it meant you were hosting the bar the whole time.

You could consider just providing beer and wine all night and forget the liquor to cut costs.

You don't need a photobooth, keepsakes, or filet. Trust me no one will shade you for not including those things but you sure as shit will get shade for the cash bar.

Do a beer and wine only, and maybe a signature drink. Think of it this way - If you were having your guests over for a nice dinner, would you expect them to bring their own drinks?

We decided to do beer and wine at the bar, and have a server walk around with a Sig Drink (you can always cut the Sig Drink off later in the evening), and of course a champagne toast.

I'd rather have an open bar over a Photo Booth any day.

If I was given the option between keepsakes and an open bar, I would prefer the open bar. Is it an option to host just beer and wine?

If I were in your position, I'd allocate more money to the bar, and at least skip out in the frames. I personally HATE decorative frames- or really any frame aside from wooden ones. If that was a favor, I'd probably leave it behind.

It sounds pretty confusing, and seems like you might end up wasting a fair bit of what you're paying for if not everyone wants the specific drinks you're offering at different times (not everyone who drinks will like or want wine/champagne). cash bars are super rude and guests have long memories. i'd cut the photo booth and change your menu options.

Your guests will appreciate an open bar more than any of the things you want to sacrifice it for.

Cash bars are rude.

I just went to a cash bar wedding and my DH and I left right after dinner. A lot of guest left during or after dinner.

If I'm getting dressed and bringing a gift, I, personally, expect to be hosted well. If not, I'm not wasting my night at the event.