Open vs cash bar

I really think it depends on the resources that you have and what you can afford. I personally am having a cash bar. My future husband and I are paying for our entire wedding. We really don't have the resources for assistance. so we are paying for everything. The least people can do is pay for their own drinks if they want them.

We are buying a certain amount of kegs an cases of wine and once those run out it's a cash bar. I cant afford open bar with my fiance's family lol

We're on a very, very limited budget and we're not having alcohol at all! One, my partner and I are avid abstainers from alcohol. Two, we have no interest in stoking potential bad guest behavior (every family has at least one unpredictable person!). Three, it not only saves us money in terms of not having to pay for alcohol/bartender/officers, but the venue even gave me a wee discount because they knew they would have less to worry about!

If you want to limit just how much you spend, I would stick to beer and wire. Liquor adds up so fast, and you need people to mix drinks. Beer and wine is pretty much ready to go!

If it is in your budget, do an open bar. Everyone will love you for it. But if you cant afford it, dont break the bank just to please others

I agree with a lot of the advice here, and I also am going to mention something I didn't see, and this is probably going to make some blood boil, but it's just something I've seen done once and thought I'd mention it here:

Could you provide maybe 3 free drinks per person over 21? Like drink tickets? Then after that they have to pay for their own? My cousin's wedding was like this, except I think we all got ONE free drink ticket and then had to pay, which honestly caused problems with a lot of the younger people (the early-20s folks who couldn't afford it) so they left early to go back to hotel rooms and drink for free, which left a lot of empty chairs around. So I'm not saying it's a good idea, just that it's an idea. I think the biggest problem with this is that there will be those for whom 1 - 3 drinks isn't enough, or people might trade... like, someone might want more tickets and someone might not be drinkers, so they might give up their slice of cake or something like that in exchange for drink tickets - I don't know, I'm spitballing!

I think the point everyone here is making is that if you're going to have the party, really have the party. You wouldn't charge people for drinks if you were hosting dinner at your house - you'd provide them gratis. And you wouldn't normally do a BYOB at a wedding, so... seems like the proper thing to do is to either not have any alcohol at all or buy it for everyone. Our wedding is really small (about 50 people) and is in a back yard, so we're just providing soda, champagne, wine, and beer in coolers, and we'll have a few bottles of the harder stuff on hand for those who are interested.

I wanted SOMETHING free to guests, but didn't want to break the bank so Uncle Steve can get trashed. So we went for an open beer/wine bar, a set amount of margaritas (our signature drink), and guests have the option for cash full bar if they feel the need for something stronger.

It depends on your crowd. Do they drink a lot at parties & events? Is it typical in your friend & family group to have an open bar at a wedding or are cash bars more common? If it is a cash bar, will that encourage guests to BYO alcohol and cause issues with your venue? For us, it was 100% not an option to do a cash bar because we have a big drinking crowd.

I personally would not do a cash bar. You mentioned doing an open wine and beer bar as an option, and I think that’s the best compromise. And it’s very common! Plus then you don’t have to worry about anyone getting out of hand.


I don’t think it’s really fair to ask guests to pay for something at an event you’re hosting.

I'm lucky that my venue includes catering and requires a 4 hour open bar as part of their price. I only have a guest list of 60 though and can see where it can get pricey. I have never gone to a wedding where 100% is paid by the guests. Usually it's open bar and guests only pay for top shelf liqueur. I would have to vote for open bar within reason.

View Quoted Comment I second this. If it's not in your budget please just don't do it. I've never ever felt offended paying for alcohol at a wedding where I know the couple has probably worked there butts off setting up this event. To each his own but your offend your guests they should be guests. Best of luck. Enjoy your wedding your way.

Do what you can afford. We're doing a cash bar and not one person we've told has had negative comments. My fiance and I don't drink and it's a lunch reception so that helps. We are providing tea and lemonade, just not alcohol so it's not like theyll be thirsty either.
It's your wedding so do what you want. Good luck with what you choose!

View Quoted Comment

*Slow clap starting* PREACH IT. Thank you, I second this.

Listen, I don't think it should be "expected" of you to pay for liquor as well as EVERYTHING else about a wedding. Of course it's expensive, this is a massive shindig you're throwing. If beer and wine is cheaper, at least it's something. But I, too, am a liquor person and would like the option to pay for it - Because I would. Why would I get my panties in a wad over paying for a drink when my amazing meal, and the whole event, is otherwise free. (Minus the gift I would be giving, out of obvious courtesy.)

Open bar for sure!

We are having an open bar with everything included in that, however we are restricting some of the more expensive liquor to keep costs down. If you know most of your friends are beer and wine drinkers i’d say cash it for the liquor. It can get expensive or do what we are doing and draw the line at certain brands.

Its definitely important to meet in the middle since it's both of your wedding so I would say that your idea would be great! It's definitely important to spoil your guests with some sort of free liquor, so you're on the right track

I don’t think it’s tacky at all. What we did was provided a few free drinks the guests could get through drink tickets and then if they wanted anything after that, it was cash bar. I think as long as you provide a couple of few drinks, it’s okay. I would especially consider it this way of you are having a lot of guests. Alcohol can really rack up a huge bill so be aware. Congrats and good luck!

I agree with the cash bar being tacky. You have to do some drink service, even if it is just wine and beer and champagne toast. Otherwise, I would invite less people and do open bar.

My thoughts and what we are doing is tickets for drinks of the bridal party, so no cost to them. Cash bar for all other guests. They are coming to share your special day and so less apt to get drunk. Just our thoughts.

We are hosting beer and wine, but will have a cash bar available for those who want cocktails. We simply cannot affair an open bar and our catering advised against it. I've been to lots of weddings that were the same way.

We’re putting $2000 toward the bar and then when the money is gone then it’ll be a cash bar.