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Dedicated October 2018

Open Bar?

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Susan, on March 30, 2018 at 9:14 AM

So I've been reading a lot lately on open bars at weddings. My FH and I have been together for 8 years and we're finally tying the knot in October. Since we're paying for 90% of the wedding, open bar all night wasn't exactly an option for us financially. Do you think its acceptable to just do Open bar for the social hour only? I don't want to be rude but we just can't afford the open bar all night. And if so do I put it on the wedding website? And for the older people that are invited that don't use a computer, should I put something on the reception card saying cash bar after Social hour? Thanks in advance!!

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67 Comments

Super June 2018
Future Mrs M · on March 30, 2018 at 10:53 AM
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You should never switch like that on people. For only cocktail hour.
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VIP October 2018
Yoomie · on March 30, 2018 at 1:25 PM
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Consider doing beer and wine or a consumption bar instead.
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Dedicated October 2018
Susan · on March 30, 2018 at 1:28 PM
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Thanks girl! Its nice to hear positive feedback
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Devoted November 2023
Crystal · on March 30, 2018 at 1:33 PM
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I say just go dry then. I'd have a dry wedding before only serving wine and beer.
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Dedicated September 2018
Jessica · on March 30, 2018 at 1:40 PM
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Haven't been to any MA weddings yet, ME and NH wedding bars will take cards.
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Super August 2019
Bianca · on March 30, 2018 at 1:48 PM
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Np! It’s dififcult planning a wedding and you have to do what suits your needs.
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Devoted October 2018
Randa · on March 30, 2018 at 2:27 PM
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I dont know your timeline, but were only doing open bar fro 6:30pm to 10:00pm. Maybe dont open the bar until dinner, or open the bar after dinner, that way people aren't hitting up the bar directly after your ceremony and taking advantage. That's what were doing. Our send of is at 10:30, so were shutting the bar off at 10.
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VIP December 2018
Casey · on March 30, 2018 at 2:57 PM
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What? Lol that makes NO sense. Wine and beer is proper hosting, liquor is awesome but not required. A dry wedding is SO much worse than just beer and wine.
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Master August 2018
Nemo · on March 30, 2018 at 2:57 PM
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Switching the bar in the middle of the reception gets really confusing. If you want to host the bar (and I believe that you should), host what you can afford to host for the entire reception. For some people that means beer and wine, for others that means a full open bar.
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Devoted November 2023
Crystal · on March 30, 2018 at 4:37 PM
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Actually it makes perfect sense to me. I don't serve alcohol at my house when I host parties. We also don't drink beer or wine so no would expect that. I think paying for someone that neither of the hosts will touch is silly.
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Dedicated October 2019
Sarah · on March 30, 2018 at 4:50 PM
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We are doing an open bar for four hours, period. The rest is cash and wine served. One hour during cocktails and three hours during the reception. I feel like that's plenty of alcohol to go around.
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VIP June 2018
Lindsey · on March 30, 2018 at 5:05 PM
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I’m in MA, they have then option to use debit card. But yeah, when I go to a wedding I always bring cash if I think I’m gonna drink.
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Dedicated October 2019
H · on March 30, 2018 at 5:07 PM
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I don’t drink coffee. Should I remove that from my wedding menu too? I also don’t like fish so that’s definitely not going to be a dinner option. Slippery slope, right?
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Devoted November 2023
Crystal · on March 30, 2018 at 5:33 PM
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Not really. Coffee isn't common place at the weddings I've attended so it won't be offered. I don't eat seafood but my fiancé does, so there is a difference. I'd never go to a house that doesn't drink coffee and expect it. I don't even own a coffee pot and never have in 40 years.
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VIP December 2018
Casey · on March 30, 2018 at 5:44 PM
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I think you don’t understand what it means to be a host. I don’t like stuffing. But would I refuse to make and serve it if I was hosting Thanksgiving dinner? Of course not, because I realize it’s not all about me.
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Dedicated June 2018
Sara · on March 30, 2018 at 5:46 PM
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I went to a wedding where the first 2 hours was an open bar and the rest of the night it was cash only. I can’t say I recommend it, I think it did get confusing and people just went really hard while it was an open bar. Maybe just beer and wine with a signature cocktail?
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Devoted September 2018
Katie · on March 30, 2018 at 5:49 PM
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My cousin did this and had cash bar for the last hour. I don’t think they really organized it well though...no one knew beforehand and they had the DJ make an announcement instead. Before the time was up on the open bar everyone crowded the bar and kept ordering shots to the point where people got trashed...

Hopefully ur family is more civilized than mine!
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Devoted November 2023
Crystal · on March 30, 2018 at 6:03 PM
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Just because you host doesn't mean you have to offer coffee, alcohol etc. You must offer a beverage which can be nothing more than water if you choose. Yes you can choose to accommodate people that doesn't mean you have to. If you decide to make or serve things you hate then that is on you.
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VIP December 2018
Casey · on March 30, 2018 at 6:23 PM
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And choosing to not accommodate people is what separates good hosts from bad, inconsiderate ones. If you don’t want to accommodate people, you’re not really cut out for the whole hosting thing.
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Expert September 2018
Brittany · on March 30, 2018 at 6:27 PM
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We are doing cash bar and haven’t put anything on the website... we are spreading word of mouth and worse case scenerio there is an atm at the venue so everyone will have options... it’s common to end it after a certain time... you could put a cute sign on the bar with what time the open bar is and what time it turns to cash bar so everyone will know
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