Open vs cash bar

I know when my sister got married everyone over 21 brought a bottle or two of some type of alcohol and we just did a self service bar. So it did not cost any of us anything for drinks, only the cost of a bottle or two.

View Quoted Comment

Do this, or even just have wine, beer, and a signature drink. Here is a hint, the more welcome and happy you make everyone feel, the less they drink. Make it feel like a celebration and they need less lubrication.

I've been to several weddings where beer was the only free thing.
Lately they've been getting into free wine and beer. With cash liquor.
It's the norm where I'm from.I believe we will be doing beer and maybe wine.

I could never do s cash bar. I would at least offer beer, wine, and a his/hers signature drink.

View Quoted Comment Right! Most of my party does not drink so no need to shell out 2k on those few.

We're doing beer and wine to save money

I absolutely hate cash bars. Every wedding I have been to, so I haven’t been exposed to anything else. However, my fiancé and I have decided that we don’t want a car. We will supply beer, wine, and like two signature drinks. But once the liquor and wine are gone, our guests can either leave and get something else, or drink beer, water, and soda

I agree with some other comments that an open bar is more appropriate, but there are so many different "levels" to what that could mean that also come with different price tags so definitely explore your options. Consider:

1. Can your venue include bar service?

2. Can your caterer include bar service?

3. Would your venue allow you to bring your own alcohol/bar staff?

For each of these consider the cost, number of staff needed, if there are limitations on types of alcohol that can be provided, etc. If you are able to bring your own alcohol, consider a bulk store such as Sams Club, Costco, etc. but wherever you choose to purchase your alcohol check and see if they have a return policy for unopened bottles and you may find some additional savings there!

My cousin was getting married and had a "stock the bar" party in lieu of an engagement party where family and friends were invited to party it up with the happy couple, but instead of gifts everyone brought a bottle of wine, case of beer, etc. which was SO FUN!

We will be having a cash bar. Neither my FH nor I are big drinkers, and we're funding our own wedding. Some of our family and friends can get carried away with drinking, and I don't want them doing it on my dime. I don't care if people think it's tacky. It's what I can afford and what I feel comfortable with.

View Quoted Comment I completely agree with you

Our venue includes the bar service, although the quote said cash bar. My fiance and I are disagreeing about this as well. His family and friends don't drink, and he sees nothing wrong with a cash bar. My mom says it's tacky and I tend to agree. My family and friends do drink, and a lot of them are traveling from New York to attend my wedding, so I think we should have an open bar. My mom said she'll chip in to have an open bar. The one thing we're not doing is champagne. Our guests can toast us with whatever they're drinking.

I’m doing a cash bar(no matter if anyone says it is tacky). I don’t really drink, and neither does my fiancé, but we don’t mind if people do. I also don’t want to pay for people to get crazy drunk.... There are some, not all, but definitely some that see and open bar and get even crazier just because it’s there. I don’t plan on encouraging that. PS (I’m a liver transplant nurse, so drinking is kind of a soap box of mine)

View Quoted Comment

Ours is bringing 2 bartenders, 250 lbs of ice, glasses, napkins, etc. and we are providing the liquor - for $750. Perfect Mix Bartending Service in Western North Carolina if you are interested.

You can also think about doing an open bar for half or 3/4 of the time to see how that may cut your budget bc ppl don’t need to drink an hour before they go.

100% cash bar is usually viewed as distasteful. We’re doing open, but if that’s not available, go beer and wine... or my friends had Mexican food do it was beer and margaritas (pre mixed), all else was cash. I don’t carry a bag to a wedding usually, I also don’t usually carry cash... I can also tell you that we had a friend whose wedding was zero alcohol. Unless one of you is sober (like in AA) or it’s super religious (so frowned upon-which was the case for them)... I would avoid no alcohol or all cash. I knew that with our crowd, when those who don’t normally drink will at a big celebration, so I cut budget in other places to accommodate.


Trader Joe’s had 3 buck chuck they sell by the case, and you can get kegs... very cost effective.
Good luck with your decision making!

We are doing a consumption bar. It was something offered at our venue, a brewery. So we are putting $1000 down. Once people have gone threw the money, its up to them if they want to continue to drink. We aren't in it to get everyone trashed, but we want everyone to enjoy themselves.