Open Bar vs Cash Bar - need help choosing

Open bar 110%

You definitely should provide an open bar. Your guests shouldn't have to help pay for a party that is a complete luxury.

99.9% of the answers you will get on here will say open bar!

Open bar for sure!

You're planning for an open bar..so have an open bar. I bet you if you poll people and ask them if they'd rather have free drinks all night or pay $8 each, they'd 10/10 pick the free drink option.

If you properly budgeted for an open bar, do an open bar.

It is definitely my opinion and the general opinion of this community to have an open bar. Your guests should be hosted properly. Go with your original thought of open bar

Your first instinct was correct, for exactly the reasons you stated. Open bar all the way!

We are having an open bar for the cocktail hour and the reception. It is included with our venue package. They also offered a package with wine and beer only, but it wasn't too much difference. They good thing my venue did is that all guest under 21 will cost half the price, because they won't be drinking. Check with your venue to see what's convenience

Open bar is always the best way to go, unless the drinks cost $3 or $4

Do an open bar.

Thank you for the responses. I was planning for an open bar, but after hearing everyone's opinion on it this weekend I figured it was worth reconsidering. I'm with you all, I believe I should cover the costs of the drinks. I just figured if people were expecting a cash bar, that's easily $4,000 we could save with the size of our wedding

Open bar

Think of it this way, if you were hosting a nice dinner party at your home (not a potluck byob BBQ) would you charge people for their beer or glass of wine? A wedding is the same concept, only larger scale.

I suspect this was a thinly veiled way of asking if an open bar is acceptable. I am 56 years old (I guess I fit into your "older" category) and never, in all the weddings, celebrations, parties I have been to have I ever heard anyone say they expect a cash bar. Frankly, I've never been to a wedding, anniversary party, engagement party, graduation party, etc. or even a more formal birthday party (at a restaurant or hall) that had a cash bar. I never even heard of a cash bar at a wedding until I went on this forum.

Open Bar! Everyone on WW will tell you this!

Definitely an open bar or at the least free beer and wine for your guests.

Open bar!!

I attended a cash bar once and everyone was so floored that after they cut the cake everyone left. I felt bad for the bride and groom but no one is dancing without alcohol. 150% open bar

Open bar. I have only seen one cash bar in about 1500 weddings, and the response of the guests was outrage and horror. Not kidding. I'm firmly, reluctantly, in the 'older' camp, and I would never expect that.

No one should expect to pay anything at someone's wedding.

@firstoneat56 I have to disagree. I think it's also kind of rude to suggest the OP is asking a thinly veiled question versus really wanting a legitimate answer. The reasons I disagree are because:

1) In my area/region the majority of weddings I've attended have been cash bar. Some were open during cocktail hour and as the OP suggested cash during the reception. I think the number of people on these threads wanting to do cash bars is evidence that this is fairly common (whether it's proper hosting or not).

2) When family or close friends have learned FH and I are having a premium open bar, most of them their reactions have been to question why we would spend that on liquor versus having a cash bar. They've also suggested the same thing people suggested to OP - NOT to pay for people's liquor for the duration of the reception. We aren't listening but I don't find her question hard to believe.

With that said, if you've already budgeted, why consider changing your plans?