Tacky to indicate Open Bar on invitation?

I think open bar should be assumed. Cash bar should theoretically be stated though, so its not a surprise. (Im not saying that cash bars are ok, just that guests should know beforehand and have the opportunity to be prepared, ya know?)

I think reception to follow is perfect!

Reception to follow.

We have an open bar and put the reception info on an insert that said "Please join us after the ceremony for dinner and dancing." I thought they were cute, but "reception to follow" works just as well! No need for the open bar to be stated

I don't think you should mention an open bar on the invite. A cash bar was mentioned so people could come prepared but I think an open bar is assumed.

I wouldn't write anything--you should never have to specifically say that you're hosting properly. If the guests bring cash and don't have to use it they'll be happy.

I think all that's necessary is Reception to Follow. You could play with the wording if you felt like it, but I don't really think it's necessary to state anything about the open bar. I agree with PP, that if for some reason the B&G chose against an open bar, that they should at the very least pre-warn people.

Not saying this is good, just it's better than people being surprised and not having cash for drinks :/

Anyway, I would just leave it. We are having just beer and wine (open bar) but aren't stating anything about it on the invites.

Thanks guys! My instincts were the same as yours (to not include it), but wanted to make sure.

I think dinner reception to follow is sufficient, they will realize it's an open bar when they get to your reception.

No, you don't need to add "open bar" to the invitation. It's not such a forgotten element that you need to point it out (and adding "cash bar" to an invitation is gross -- although some will say it's helpful because the guests can pull money out of an ATM before they get to the reception). If you're having an open bar, just write "Dinner, dancing, and cocktails to follow." That's always told me everything I need to know (i.e., an open bar). Believe me, that's the only type of reception I've ever been invited to, and that's the wording on every invitation. Kudos to you for hosting your guests with the best of the best, Elizabeth.

Honestly, where I am from cash is more common and it's usually not stated either way you just show up and guess (I did do an open bar). I think it's tacky to put anything, cash or not on there. Our guests were pleasantly surprised by our open bar and so if they had brought cash or not, it didn't matter.

No, don't specify. If people bring extra cash expecting to pay, they will be all the more happy to be able to keep it in their wallet.

It's assumed open bar so you're all good with your gut!

I don't think you need to mention it. Reception to follow is appropriate

I make wedding invitations. Putting details like that on the invitation is basically too much information and out of invitation etiquette. Invites just need to contain the who, what, when, and the where's, as well as a pretty design. So, do definitely use "dinner reception to follow." You can place that details on a separate insertion card along with the invite, or you can include it on your wedding website, if you have one.

I am not including it on the invites but I am putting the kinds of beer and wine that will be available on our wedding site with the menu and hoping that guests just assume it is not a cash bar lol.

We put it on our website under faqs after someone asked in their congratulatory e mail

I've seen some people write something along the lines of "Dinner, drinks, and dancing to follow". It sort of suggests that drinks will be provided free of charge but some people might just take it to mean that there's alcohol available in general. It's probably not necessary either way. People don't need to "be prepared" for an open bar.

Nah you don't need to. The reason why people write cash bar is so people can be prepared and come with cash (still tacky) but they don't need anything for an open bar so not necessary to include it!

Open bar should be assumed, although most people bring cash to weddings in case there happens to be a cash bar or parking fees. I would just put "reception to follow." If it's during meal time hours, people will assume there will be a meal served.