Open vs cash bar

We are having an open bar. We are buying the alcohol in bulk and just hiring a bartender. I didn't want to have the guest pay for something additional at the wedding when a lot of my guest are out of town so they are already paying for flights, hotels, and a gift.

View Quoted Comment That’s my thought too... if you don’t mind me asking was the bartender expensive to hire? One that quoted me to just serve the alcohol said for our wedding size of about 110 we would need 2 bartenders and with all the fees it’d be a bit over $1000 not counting the alcohol we would be buying.

I would do an open bar with unlimited beer and wine, just as you said

Open beer and wine is a good compromise. I’m a firm believer that guests shouldn’t have to open their wallets at a hosted event.

My FH and I are doing an open bar because that’s in our budget. If it’s not in your budget to do a full open bar then do beer and wine free, as you said, and have guests pay cash if they want liquor. If you have guests pay for beer and wine as well as liquor it could come off as rude.

So this is where me and my fiance are stuck. Our venue package comes with the cocktail hour and then champagne toast. Our families aren't big on alcohol so we didn't want to spend atleast an additional $1000 for beer and wine that only some people would want. That's why we were considering a cash bar if anyone wanted anything more than just cocktail and champagne.

I don’t believe in inviting people to a party and then asking them to pay. If you want to save money just have wine and beer. I was going to have no booze during dinner to save money which mean no champagne toast. Some places let you do byo but a bartender for that many people would require 2 people. Don’t forget pop, water, mixers, etc. Speak with your venue and they might be able to cut cost if you limit drink times

View Quoted Comment I second this.

To answer a question you had about price, I know my brother and his wife hired one last minute who was suuuuper nice and helpful for just a couple hundred $. Our area isn't cheap and he came with a second bartender and they were serving for about 75 guests... So I think the people you found are just pricey! Keep looking, I definitely agree that guests shouldn't have to pay and we personally plan on doing beer and wine to save money but keep it fun. Good luck!

Oh and the bartender at my brother's wedding was serving just beer and wine as well...!

I would much rather a cash bar where I can get what ever I want, then just have bear and wine.

But I am one of the few on this sight that feel if you give me food and dancing and cake and let me share in your special day, I can buy my own damn drink and will not feel offended in any way.

Do what you can afford and if they judge you, then honestly, they are the ones that are not so nice.

Guests should NOT pay for a single thing. It’s quite simple—can’t afford for everyone’s drink and food CUT the list! I’m mind blown-I’m a nanny and my man is QA so not much money and we wouldn’t want a single person paying for anything at all at a party we are hosting. It’s rude and beyond tacky

View Quoted Comment You might consider negotiating with your venue if they can do a consumption bar! If your families aren’t super into alcohol and you’re already providing cocktails and champagne, you probably wouldn’t have much to pay anyway with a consumption bar limited to wine and beer!

View Quoted Comment Very true! See to get a consumption bar—may save you a lot!

We're splitting the difference. We'll have open bar through dinner/toasts, and then switch to cash bar during dancing. We're also having signs posted as to when open bar closes, so people can make sure to grab their last drinks. The only exception os

My last reply cut off 🙈 but the exception is that we're having open bar all night for the wedding family and our immediate families. Do what works for you!

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Exactly what I thought!

View Quoted Comment I totally agree. Just invite the number you can afford!

I would do an open bar bc I would not want my guests to pay for their drinks. Rebekah has a great idea about splitting the difference.

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Another vote here. Cut your guest list and treat the ones you do invite. Rather than having a 300 person bash and a cash bar, have a more intimate 80 person shindig and go all out.