Open bar Vs Cash bar

Don't do it. Cash bars are a logistical nightmare. They are such a pain the the ass at a wedding - and they are rude to boot.

Do a consumption bar and bar for what your guests drink if you want. Leaving it at beer and wine is cheaper than liquor.

Open bar... but this is what I've known my whole life NEVER have I went to a Mexican wedding and have to pay for my drink it's just out of the question

Also - how many guests are you having? 12 bottles of wine is 48 glasses.... and a keg is like 150 pours?

@Kim P. Change your avatar

Oh and .. I wish Celia was here.

Please don't use tickets. That's just weird. It's not a club it's a wedding. If you are going to host a party, host the party. You wouldn't invite guests over for dinner and then charge them for drinks. Host beer and wine all night. Guests should not have to open their wallets at your wedding. And to switch it to cash bar after is not only rude but confusing to everyone.

Drink tickets? Is it high school grad? Seriously?

Host your GODDAMN GUESTS!

Guess what? Most of us are adults and thus, are paying for our own weddings as well. Oh, and some of us even have kids and are still PROPERLY hosting our guests.

Take it from a pro who has done a majority of open bar weddings and a smattering of dry, cash bar, and very limited bars. The open bar weddings go on all night. The other type? Guests make their exodus after dinner (we know that because we know the venue managers).

No, the DJ doesn't keep them around until they need to be tossed out. Coffee/Espresso bars with cool flavors and whipped cream don't keep them around. Italian sodas, infused water, or "make your own sundae bars" don't do it either. The expensive photobooth serves its purpose, but it's purpose isn't to keep the party going until the end of the reception. What keeps a reception party rocking is what keeps every party rocking. Those couples who believe that it is not their responsibility to host liquor at their reception may win the alcohol argument in their own home, but when it comes time for the party, the missing variable finally weighs in: your guests. Listen, It's your choice. You can spend your money renting all kinds of thematic elements for your wedding that will grab your guests' attention for about three minutes, or you can skip the fluff and get to the substance -- food, entertainment, and cocktails. Your have 14 months, and there are lots of way to replace drink tickets with an open bar. Voice of experience -- take it or leave it.

It's really rude to require your guests to pay for anything at an event that you're hosting. Drink tickets are about the worst thing I can think of, etiquette-wise.

Kim, do your wedding the way you want to. I would imagine that with children, hosting an open bar at your wedding isn't a financial priority. Perhaps a cake and punch reception -- totally polite, by the way -- would be an option for you. However, the "we aren't getting any help from our parents" line isn't going to fly with most of the WW members. A majority of the women here are hosting their weddings with alcohol, and they aren't getting money from their parents to do so. Besides, you're the parents now, right? At this point in your life, why would you even raise the issue of parental help unless the issue is one of life or death?

Op, even if you only host beer and wine, do that and don't do tickets or any part of a cash bar.

Kim, most people are on a budget. That's the reason people choose a package they can afford, like hosting ALL beer and wine, or adding a signature cocktail. Having any part of the bar is incredibly rude, and I promise you, your guests will be talking behind your back because you two were too cheap to only host what you could afford, and instead passed the buck (quite literally,) to your guests.

Do people not realize that a cash bar equates to telling guests that, after paying to be there, and paying for a gift, you now expect them to pay for part of the wedding itself: the part that is supposed to be a thank you to them.

Of course, your guests will likely understand and follow etiquette which says it's rude to point out another persons's rudeness.

Open bar. I'd feel like I'm being policed or at Chuck E. Cheese's if I got tickets. Cut back somewhere that's less important to being a good host.

Yes. It would not only be rude but confusing.

This topic comes up far too often. It has been discussed to death. You will not convince the majority of posters that a cash bar is ever ok. It's not.

Only a few random people without knowledge of etiquette - usually newbs who are also doing cash bars - will say that cash bars or drinks tickets are perfectly fine.

And I have no idea what Kim is rambling about. Somehow having kids means you can't properly host an event? That's a new one.

Its considered rude and rather ostentatious. Limit yourself to beer and wine (even if it's bottom shelf ) and make cuts as needed (ie to the guest list). Doing drink tickets is unfortunately just begging for trouble and some serious flack.

Everyone here is going to make you feel like the scum of the earth if you have anything less than an open bar. Don't listen to them. Do what's best for you. My venue is allowing us to provide all liquor so that saved us a ton of money. You don't need to go in debt or save for 3 years trying to impress people!!!

Post and Ghost???

By the way 'Open Bar'

It's rude and tacky to make your guests pay for their own drinks or use a Ticket that limits how much they can drink

An acquaintance I know had a Cash Bar for her Wedding all because she didn't Drink!!! Huh??? What does that have to do with us (Guests) smh... Again it's rude cut corners somewhere else but Do NOT do a Cash Bar or the Tickets

I've been to weddings and other events with drink tickets. Honestly, it sucks. You have people negotiating for tickets, you feel like you have to "nurse" your drink. People don't bring cash, etc. If you can't afford to properly host your guests, then have a different reception.

Cut your guest list. Don't do favors of any sort. Skip STDs and programs. You don't need a five tier wedding cake. Your wedding is not until the end of NEXT summer, you have time to save.

In my opinion, I don't think it's rude at all. Not everyone has it in their budget to accommodate an open bar that's all free. I've attended many weddings where they gave us two drink vouchers and we were on our own after that and I was totally fine. I know everyone on here thinks it's rude and tacky, but there are more important things like paying off school loans lol