Open Bar or Not?

We’re going with open. Most everyone in our circle has had an open bar(or just beer and wine) and the ones who switched after a certain time to cash bar a lot of guests left early.

I didn't have a bar because of costs. Instead I just bought each table a couple of bottles of alcohol and that's that. But I was considering a bar initially and it was just going to be beer and wine - which is a lot cheaper than mixed drinks

Our venue does not allow alcohol to be brought in. I have read that beer and wine rather than mixed drinks is a good way to go to save $. Thanks for the idea.

I'd tell them to deal with it, you either offer to pay for something or you don't. See what their budget is and go over the options.
In my area open bar is the norm, other areas it is not. I ended up doing a dry wedding because I dont drink and didn't want to deal with this situation.

The risk you run with cut off limit is that there is no way to ensure everyone gets a drink. If someone goes and gets 3 drinks during cocktail hour but your aunt is waiting for a glass of wine with dinner it could be used up before she goes to get it. I think that a host should fully host their guests, a more cost effective way to do that would be just offering beer and wine. That way no one feels frustrated that they are paying for their drink when they saw someone get 3 for free. Additionally I don’t think there is really a way to smoothly transition to cash bar. It will make for some awkward interactions throughout the night. I personally don’t like when any of the costs are pushed onto the guests, yes weddings are expensive, but that’s not really the guests fault. It doesn’t sound like your intentions are to push costs to guests but that’s how it may come across

Hi, Kelly. We would love to have a "dry" wedding, but the future in-laws are insisting on a bar, so we said "fine," but you pay. They do not want to pay what the venue charges for a bar that our daughter chose. That is where the conflict is coming. And they want a certain type of food for the reception so that the alcohol drinkers will have enough food. Frankly, I don't understand this as isn't it the drinker's responsibility to drink responsibly. Anyway, I truly appreciate your comment as you gave some good things to think about.

I think your future son in law's relatives are being unreasonable, and I would be worried that the future son in law goes along with whatever they say.

I think beer and wine is fine. If the budget allows, I would consider giving each guest two drink tickets, but your venue may not allow.

Just do wine and beer? Usually this is a cheaper option and it satisfies their demands.

Our daughter suggests the ticket route--although I see that several people on this forum do not think that is a good route to go. The suggestion to allow only beer and wine is a good one that I hadn't thought of.

We just did a full open bar. It really depends on your crowd. If they drink, but not a ton, a consumption bar may be best.

We did beer and wine only. If they want it and offered to pay for it, then they should be making the decision. If they don't pay, don't have it.

What your daughter is suggesting is rude - guests should not have to supplement the price of the wedding. It's fine not to have alcohol if it is out of their budget. Beer and Wine only would probably be a good compromise. Also, consumption bars (paying per drink instead of per person) are generally MUCH cheaper.

My partner and I don't drink either. We have decided to just do beer and wine at our reception- my family likes to drink too much and we want to limit their ability to get too drunk. I have never been to a wedding with a cash bar and it feels like people expect an open bar these days.