Open bar disagreement...

Never ever make guests pay for their own drinks at a reception you are hosting. Every etiquette book will tell you that is rude to make guests pay for their own food and beverages at a party you invite them to.


If he insists on this, then elope with no guests. Otherwise do open bar that is free of charge to everyone.

View Quoted Comment Thank you! I’m going to gather a few opinions and show him! He seems to think I don’t know or have a clue...

View Quoted Comment I mean does he charge people to drink when they visit you in your home for parties/dinner? The same logic applies. It's just a larger party you are having at a different location

View Quoted Comment Awesome point!! No he doesn’t! And he loves to host home parties!

Totally agree with everyone- you never charge guests for a party you’re hosting. That is just wrong on so many levels.

Guests should never be expected to pay for something at a wedding.

View Quoted Comment Thank you for responding!

Guests should never have to open their wallets at a hosted event. It also makes zero sense to charge a flat rate of $5 for any drink when a beer costs $3ish. Sounds like your FH is trying to make a profit off of your wedding.

I agree with the above comments - guests shouldn't have to open their wallets for anything at a wedding.

If it will be too expensive to serve alcohol, have a dry wedding. I’ve been to lots.

I agree with no cash bar. Many weddings do beer, wine and signature drinks that are more affordable which could make for a happy medium 🍻🥃🍸

Are you saying you would be buying outside alcohol, bringing it to the event, and then charging for it? If that's the case, you may want to check about the legal ramifications.

View Quoted Comment Thank you for responding! I agree!

If your wedding is super casual then I would say a cash bar is not the worst thing however I think for guests it’s expected that an open bar be provided whether that is all items or just beer and wine

View Quoted Comment His response was extra cash for honeymoon.. but I agree with you and thank you for responding!

View Quoted Comment Yes ma’am! Most venues allow for this as long as the person serving is licensed. But still I think it’s improper etiquette. I’m asking opinions so that I can show him and he’ll see for himself how inappropriate it is.
Thank you for responding!

There’s actually laws in many states against selling alcohol if you aren’t licensed so you guys purchasing your own alcohol and then selling it at the wedding is likely against the law.

View Quoted Comment Thank you for responding! I’ll be showing him these responses!

View Quoted Comment Yes ma’am! We know a licensed bartender whom will be serving. Most venues allow for this with proof of all licenses.

View Quoted Comment It’s not the serving part, it’s the selling part. Bartending and selling alcohol can require different licenses, depending on the state. So you as a couple profiting off alcohol could be illegal in your state. We are having an open bar because we’re inviting everyone to our wedding to have a good time, not make a profit. It’d be much cheaper to elope. If I was a guest and knew the couple was trying to make a profit off the bar, I’d be weirded out.