Open or cash bar?

You’re hosting, when you’re hosting you cater to your guests. So for example if you were a vegan your wouldn’t serve vegan only dishes. If it’s something you can’t afford that would be different. But if you can I’d allow my guests to have the luxury of drinking for free.

What if you just limited the bar? Wine and beer only would be cheaper or even just doing open bar for a limited amount of time rather than the whole night

Cash bars are generally considered to be a faux pas. As you and your fiance are considered party hosts, it is your job to provide food and drink to your guests (and make sure they are comfortable). By having a cash bar, you're passing the cost of alcohol onto your guests. While this isn't the worst thing in the world, it's considered bad form.

But you don't have to have an open bar--having just beer and wine are perfectly acceptable.

In my opinion, yes. A reception is a party so if an open bar is expected and your guests drink, there should be an open bar. There are alternatives like just beer & wine open then liquor for purchase, or consumption bar up to a certain $ then a cash bar. You can easily cut things like signature drinks and champagne toasts too.

If you want to save some money you could do beer and wine only.

Depending on your theme, I’d suggest a limited bar, focus on the most popular drinks and go from there.


You can always prepay a set amount and when your tab has reached that amount it’s a cash bar.
My FH and I are having a brunch reception (neither of us drink either) - so our brunch will include a 2 hr mimosa and Bloody Mary bar. Which is fine with us.

If cash bars are the social norm where you are, then you need to offer a bar of some kind. If money is a concern, maybe it’s wine and beer only, or it has limited selection of cocktails and wine, or the bar is only available for 3 hours. Whether you or or fiancé drink is irrelevant. You and fiancé aren’t going to eat every bite of food at the reception either. Many couples are so busy and barely have a bite. It’s about being gracious hosts to your guests who would like drinks.

I don’t drink period and I’m still providing an open bar for my guests. They’re just that: my guests. If I invite them to celebrate with me, I need to host them, which means making sure they aren’t opening their wallets for food and drink. That being said, an open beer/wine bar is absolutely fine if you don’t want to fund a whole liquor bar.

I disagree with with the other PPs. Alcohol is not required at a party. If you have to have a drink in order to have a good time that’s a problem. If you can’t get through one evening without a drink, that’s a problem. In your situation of your FH not being able to drink and you respected him enough to also not drink, your guests should respect that and still celebrate you and enjoy the evening.
You also shouldn’t have to go against your own moral compass to appease your guests. So no, if you are vegan you have every right to serve vegan food because you are morally against eating meat. Your guests should respect that.
We will not have alcohol at our wedding because my FH is sober. He has been sober for 8 years and has no desire to drink. He doesn’t have a problem being around alcohol, he does have a problem being around obnoxious drunk people. I’ve never been much of a drinker myself and when I met him it was easy to just give it up. I don’t miss out on anything. His brother is an alcoholic and will expect alcohol but he will get over it. We aren’t going to pay for other people to get drunk.

I would recommend you serve wine and beer to your guests!!

I don't have a problem with cash bars as it's the norm in my area. If it's not the norm in your area you could do beer & wine. Or you could have a dry wedding?

I'll be saving about $2000 by doing a cash bar instead of open. My parents and inlaws approved (in fact, they suggested it when I expressed concern with the bar costs) and their opinions matter most since they're financially contributing. I'd say it's know your crowd and your budget.

How about a limited bar instead of a cash bar/no bar? The reception is something you host to thank your guests. I don't think your drinking preferences should play a part in treating your guests.

If open bars are the norm with your friends/family then I suggest you do an open bar or wine and beer only. I barely drink and we're still doing one. Like someone mentions above, you are hosting people at your wedding and they shouldn't have to pay for food or drink. Good luck

I agree with many of the other ladies that providing an open beer and wine bar would be the best option.

Since it's your wedding, you can do whatever you want. My husband and I had an open bar because we budgeted for it, we wanted one and my husband does drink. I drink every once in a while but not as often as my husband does (he drinks maybe 2 days a week when we're out with friends). I'd say, if you don't want it, don't have it. If you didn't want to do a full open bar but still wanted to give your guests something, maybe have a beer and wine only bar. If you don't want to do any alcohol at all, then don't. It's completely up to you and what you and your FH want.

If you want to offer alcohol, you should pay for it. If you cannot afford it, have a dry wedding or maybe just offer beer and wine. I would not expect your guests to pay for their own drinks at a party you are hosting.

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I agree with this. You're the host, your job is to make your guests comfortable. I think hosted wine and beer would be a reasonable middle ground

I've been to many a wedding where they had wine and beer only and had no problem with that. The times when it was cash bar (only once) left a bad taste in my mouth, particularly because the reception was a hotel so the choices were limited and small pours, and the cost was outrageous per drink ($6 per beer, $8 per wine, $11 per cocktail).

A cash bar is totally acceptable. Just make sure you let your guests know prior to the event date (like on your info cards or wedding website) to state there will be a cash bar.
Or if you opt for an open bar, it’s significantly cheaper to go for beer and wine, and to leave out the liquor and mixed drinks.