Open bar disagreement...

View Quoted Comment Thank you for responding!

I'm pro cash bar. As in, the money goes to the VENDOR, not the couple. I think most guests would rather have cash bar rather than no alcohol. In a cash bar, a professional sets the price and provides the service.


In contrast, charging your guests for outside liquor that you purchased is tacky, and mostly likely illegal and in violation of the venue's rules.
Your wedding is not a fundraiser. You should not be collecting cash from your guests. Also, it is asinine to charge the same rate for a cocktail versus beer or wine.

The guests are giving you a card with money - they should not be expected to pay for drinks. I don't even like the tip jar...they are getting tipped from the bride/groom. Why should they get extra and the servers don't?

Whoever Host pays, not guests. I don't care if I'm going to a wedding with top shelf drinks or not, I don't expect to pay. I'm sorry but I find it a tad rude to invite people to an event and then make them open their wallets. Especially a wedding where your guests are buying you a bridal shower gift and then also giving you a card with money in it on the day of your wedding.

Cash bars are the bane of everyone's existence at a wedding, nobody likes them, it's better to serve just wine and beer, than have a cash bar imo.

View Quoted Comment I would be mad to find out the couple whom I'm attending their wedding is trying to profit off their wedding with a cash bar. That is extremely rude and tacky. I'd probably right in front of the couple rip open my card I was going to give them and use the money from it to buy my drinks. If you want to have your guests pay for the honeymoon thats fine but there are ways to go about it. Like instead of making a registry for your bridal shower for gifts you could make a honeymoon registry where your guests can put money to. That's always a thought you can tell your fiance.

Another way you could argue it is this: Are people traveling for the wedding? Are people staying somewhere for the wedding? Is there the expectation to bring gifts? Have they attended your bridal shower/bachelorette/bachelor? If the answer to any of these is YES, then it would be rude to charge for drinks. Yes, weddings cost a lot of money, but they also cost a lot for those attending as well. If cost is an issue, you could do an open bar of beer and wine, and if people want a more expensive cocktail, they can pay for that.

Tell him just to inform guess its open bar but they must tip the bartender. Especially if its outside alcohol.

Open bar team here! lol

I don't think you should charge, it leaves a bad taste

You could put a cap to the number of drinks you're paying for per person and after that they're charged?

View Quoted Comment

It is the responsibility of the hosts, not the guests, to tip the bartender.

View Quoted Comment Its common courtesy to tip anyone that serves even if the host pays the bartender, which most of the time, they are payed.

You have time before the big day. He'll change his mind. Lolol At least you'll hope. Anyway, its better to have an open bar. Guest are already buying wedding gifts.

View Quoted Comment

No, the host is responsible both for paying the bartender and for tipping the bartender, not the guests. It is not the responsibility or considered common courtesy for guests at a hosted event to individually tip; that's what it means to be a hosted guest. The hosts provide both the wage and the gratuity for the service performed by the bartender.

View Quoted Comment Well She know has both of our point of view.

Open bar all the way! We also like top shelf alcohol, but would never charge my guests It's your wedding day and only once in your lifetime. And the money you spend on your day, won't matter after all the memories you'll have!

For our upcoming wedding, we have included alcohol beverages in the wedding budget. The venue will only provide soda, coffee, water and tea. So to provide our guests with an enjoyable evening, we decided to foot the bill. Our max is $1500.
I gave you this information to say, it's what you can afford that will be best for you and your future husband. Nothing is wrong with charging as well. When people go to bars, they pay. This also could put the responsibility of "drinking and driving" on the guest because they are buying their own drinks...just my opinion.
Congratulations!!

View Quoted Comment You would be surprised how many guest come empty handed...

I agree with Michelle. To me it seems rude to have guests who have probably taken time off to come to your wedding. Have at the very least spent money on an outfit,hotel, maybe plane tickets. Then when they’re celebrating they’re meant to pay for drinks?! I’d be so disappointed,