Open or cash bar?

You do NOT have to provide alcohol for your reception. Alcohol is NOT a requirement to be considered a good host and those who tell you otherwise are full of crap. If guests are unwilling to come because the lack of alcohol or lack of open bar...then I'd personally reconsider the people I'm inviting to my wedding.

We’re doing an open bar during the cocktail hour, but switching over to a cash bar after that. It felt like a good compromise for us. We are grateful that our friends and families are attending and want them to have a great time, but we felt that that didn’t mean we had to break the bank with an open bar. When we go to weddings, yes- it’s typically an open bar, but we have two drinks TOPS and wouldn’t have any negative feelings about it if it was a cash bar.


If I were you, I wouldn’t dwell too much on what people say! Yes, your guests may be traveling and spending money to attend your special day, but you’re also putting out a lot of money, too.
Best of luck to you and your hubby-to-be!

Guests typically order Beer / Wine over anything else. I’d say that’s all you need to satisfy your guests! And for that one person that NEEDS their signature whiskey sour, you could ask to have liquor choices available for cash. (However, I can’t even think of how to include this info on your invite?)

As the host, you should cover the expenses for whatever you decide to offer. If you cannot afford alcohol, then don't serve it. It's rude to ask your guests to open their wallets.

Since you're hosting an event that a lot of people would normally drink at, maybe consider a partial open bar with 2 beers and 2 wines, the rest of the selections could be cash bar OR you could skip the cash bar portion all together.

Hello,
I’ve been to weddings where it is open bar for beer and wine, also a few signature cocktails. Everyone was happy!

The people you will be inviting to your wedding are ideally your closest family and friends who presumably know about your fiancés medical condition and know you're not drinkers and not expect that. If I was invited to your wedding I would be honored to be included and not worry about paying for my drinks if I wanted them. I know I'm going against the crowd here but it's one night. As a guest, getting drunk is not my priority, witnessing you marrying the love of your life is.

It is ok to skip the alcohol. Have a lemonade bar or different flavors of iced tea or something along those lines.