Open Bar vs. No Open Bar

Well I feel you need to do what is best and if this is more of a religious type event then may not having it especially if you have a big standing in your church. Two weddings I have been to did not have liquor. I would say if you two do not drink then maybe no liquor since it is not something you two partake in. I think liquor is great but if you have good music and dancing that is a huge part. Is your wedding in a place where people could step out to a bar and buy a drink if needed? Like a country club?

If you want dancing, I think you’ll want to offer alcohol and let those who want a drink to have one. Those who don’t drink do not need to partake. If you’re worried about cost or too much drinking, offering beer & wine but no hard alcohol can be a nice compromise.


I attended one very religious wedding and on the dinner table was one red wine and one white wine. When it ran out, no more. Nobody seemed to have a problem with that.

My brother's wedding was mostly made up of church people and he himself was a church leader. They didn't have alcohol. Him and his bride were also under 21. If you are going to have a lot of people there that don't drink, I would go without the alcohol especially because you don't drink. Alcohol is really expensive so to pay for something that a majority of people are going to enjoy sounds like a waste of money. Your guests will survive one evening without alcohol. Disclaimer: I don't think so I could be bias.

I think I agree with Pirates Bride to maybe just have some wine and beer? I do not think you need hard liquor bur I am a wine person soooooooo I am all for that. Even if it is just a couple of glasses. Much cheaper too.

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No, there's no separate bar. Some of the people in the bridal party and guests have said if we don't have an open bar they will probably just drink before or in the parking lot. Drinking before I guess I am okay with. But drinking in the parking lot is a big no-no, the venue has made that clear. So at this point, I'm like maybe we should so that there is a license bartender present.

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Thanks that sounds like a good compromise!!

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I personally feel that it is one evening and people can survive without liquor. I would almost lean on the side of no because of your standing within your church and because of the regulations. I feel that if you feel that it would be more problematic then do not have it. I would just let guests no so they can plan accordingly. Worse case they don't party all night. If they want a drink the can do it afterwards.

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It would cut down costs if we omitted the open bar. But I think more people are coming who drink than not. The majority of our bridal party are drinkers besides the best man. I'll talk it over with my wedding coordinator and hubby to see what's best. Completely dry or at least provide wine. Thanks

View Quoted Comment You’re welcome! 😊

What about a "not open"(?) Bar? Give EVERYONE a ticket good for one (1) alcoholic beverage. This way, everyone has the opportunity for a free drink, (sort of like an Open Bar). Those who do not drink can give their tickets to those that do, and if Those that do want more, they can pay cash.

I went to a friend’s Christian wedding with similar guests and they simply provided wine and nothing else. The older guests and people who did not drink still found it very classy while my fiancé and I got to have a few drinks and have fun!

I’m going to be brutally honest and say it would be somewhat of a buzz kill. The non drinkers are likely used to socializing with drinkers, the real world includes both! I would offer wine and/or beer. Good luck.

Have you considered a consumption based bar? That’s what we did.. many of our guests did not drink so we just paid the tab on a consumption basis- ended up saving us about $1500! I would suggest that!

I would have a bar and just have it a cash bar. My venue offers a bar for $95 and then we can either put money on it for an “open bar” or just have it a cash bar. I feel it all depends on the crowd you are inviting... but if you offer something then guests won’t feel the need to get drunk before they show up to your wedding..

I wouldn’t do a totally dry wedding. What about just a cash bar? In your case, I think that would be good. I went to a wedding where almost everyone drank and it was a cash bar and homemade food. Which is cool and all for the couple, but as a guest, I think that was kinda tacky.

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Yea I'm thinking this is probably the way to go, with just having bottles of red and white wine. Maybe even do a sparkling cider for the non-drinkers.

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That's one thing I am worried about. We have already had comments of people saying they would probably drink before or in the parking lot. I'm pretty sure they were saying it jokingly but were serious.

Maybe do just beer and wine. That way people who want to have a few drinks can.

My family is super religious and are against drinking. His family is not. We've decided on a dry wedding (mainly because my father is paying for the majority of it). We've told the ones who do drink about our decision, and they have no problem with it.

I've been to a wedding where alcohol was provided and half of the guests were against drinking which caused a riff within the church. It's an unfortunate situation, but you cannot please everyone.

I personally don't think not having alcohol at your wedding makes it a buzz kill!

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Thanks,

Our situations are similar and the bottom line our faith is more important than people getting to drink on a Thursday night lol. We spoke to our assistant pastor and this is ultimately what we decided to do as well. We are just going to have sparkling cider and mocktails instead but no liquor. Hopefully, everyone still has a good time and stays the whole time if not their loss.