Community› Wedding Discussion Boards› Wedding Etiquette Forum

Heads-up! If your The Knot Community profile image doesn’t look right, please re-upload it. Re-upload

Wedding Etiquette Forum
New Discussion

2 HR Open Bar, 3 HR Reception

amanda1611tamanda1611t member
100 Comments
in Wedding Etiquette Forum
I know this has been posted before.

I asked the venue and they suggested we do a 2 hr open bar and the last hour would be a cash bar.

I don't think this is right. My FI thinks it is. 
We CAN do all open bar if we decide that. I just was trying to save a couple hundred

What else could we do?

I don't think it's right to do all cash bar. Is it? People expect to have an open bar at a wedding i think.

There is no BYOB at our venue




Wedding Countdown Ticker
Report Reply to Post

Re: 2 HR Open Bar, 3 HR Reception

  • Rosie109Rosie109
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    I think if you can afford to do a full open bar for the whole reception you should. Don't cheap out on your guests. 
    image
    Report Reply
  • kwilliams111012kwilliams111012
    100 Comments
    Amanda, we're going through the same thing but in the end decided to have a 3 hour bar.  Besides being rude to our guests, what definitely changed our minds is the fact that you, your FI and the wedding party will probably be late to the reception due to picture taking.  That leaves your wedding party not a lot of time to enjoy drinks.  I don't plan on drinking much at all, but I think our wedding party deserves to enjoy themselves!  My venue has said that they secretly switch drinks to non-alcoholic if guests get way out of control from drinking.  You could ask yours to do the same, if you're worried about guests getting too drunk. 
    image
    Report Reply
  • MyUserName1MyUserName1 member
    5000 Comments Fourth Anniversary 5 Love Its
    What if you closed the bar for half an hour during dinner and then closed it a half an hour early?  That would be preferable to having cash bar at any point.
    Report Reply
  • Rosie109Rosie109
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    Ahhhh the ole switch and bait. I sure am glad God will be the bartender. 
    image
    Report Reply
  • rroelofsenrroelofsen member
    First Comment
    Just do whatever you gut tells you.  If it is better fiancially for you to have two hours, do it that way.  I have been to many weddings with a cash bar.  If the people want to drink that much, they will pony up the cash.  If you can afford it, go for it.  If not, don't feel bad.  
    Report Reply
  • lilja032lilja032
    10 Comments
    Cash bars are always rude. To me it's just as rude as asking someone to pay for the entree part of their meal. If you can afford to do a full open bar do it. 
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Report Reply
  • goobersinlovegoobersinlove member
    500 Comments 5 Love Its
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_2-hr-open-bar-3-hr-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:03545e15-47b3-4c6d-8972-ae54f714b347Post:1d776e2d-631c-4dce-8412-9a48b377a1d6">2 HR Open Bar, 3 HR Reception</a>:
    [QUOTE]I know this has been posted before. I asked the venue and they suggested we do a 2 hr open bar and the last hour would be a cash bar. I don't think this is right. My FI thinks it is.  We CAN do all open bar if we decide that. I just was trying to save a couple hundred What else could we do? I don't think it's right to do all cash ba r. Is it? People expect to have an open bar at a wedding i think. There is no BYOB at our venue
    Posted by amanda1611t[/QUOTE]

    You are correct that cash bars are a faux pas... whether full time or part time.

    I think you should do a full open bar for the whole thing (since you said you can).  Guests shouldn't get free drinks one minute, and then come back to the bar for another and get a, "Oh you have to pay now - it's after 8:00."

    Find another area to save a couple hundred. Cut out favors or something.
    Report Reply
  • Rosie109Rosie109
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_2-hr-open-bar-3-hr-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:03545e15-47b3-4c6d-8972-ae54f714b347Post:1af35fa6-4123-4819-9ed3-b7565818f011">Re: 2 HR Open Bar, 3 HR Reception</a>:
    [QUOTE]Amanda, we're going through the same thing but in the end decided to have a 3 hour bar.  Besides being rude to our guests, what definitely changed our minds is the fact that you, your FI and the wedding party will probably be late to the reception due to picture taking.  That leaves your wedding party not a lot of time to enjoy drinks.  I don't plan on drinking much at all, but I think our wedding party deserves to enjoy themselves! <strong> My venue has said that they secretly switch drinks to non-alcoholic if guests get way out of control from drinking.</strong>  You could ask yours to do the same, if you're worried about guests getting too drunk. 
    Posted by kwilliams111012[/QUOTE]

    <div>That is terrible. </div>
    image
    Report Reply
  • Rosie109Rosie109
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited February 2012
    What is their game plan if I ask for a glass of wine?
    image
    Report Reply
  • kwilliams111012kwilliams111012
    100 Comments
    Rosie, it's the venue's policy - not mine.  I don't think it will be an issue since our reception starts at 3pm.  I just thought it was a clever trick.  I'm sure it hasn't happened many times, but if someone is stumbling off their bar stool, they probably don't need another shot of tequila.
    image
    Report Reply
  • Rosie109Rosie109
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    Thats pretty sweet your wedding will have bar stools at it. 
    image
    Report Reply
  • kwilliams111012kwilliams111012
    100 Comments
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_2-hr-open-bar-3-hr-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:03545e15-47b3-4c6d-8972-ae54f714b347Post:6f9c8a53-249b-4979-8ab3-0adaa87d3228">Re: 2 HR Open Bar, 3 HR Reception</a>:
    [QUOTE]Thats pretty sweet your wedding will have bar stools at it. 
    Posted by Rosie109[/QUOTE]

    I think you got my point.
    image
    Report Reply
  • Rosie109Rosie109
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    I think I am too drunk to get your point. 
    image
    Report Reply
  • kwilliams111012kwilliams111012
    100 Comments
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_2-hr-open-bar-3-hr-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:03545e15-47b3-4c6d-8972-ae54f714b347Post:6a8c5085-f234-46a4-bc5c-78d957749c13">Re: 2 HR Open Bar, 3 HR Reception</a>:
    [QUOTE]I think I am too drunk to get your point. 
    Posted by Rosie109[/QUOTE]

    I'll call my venue's bartender to cut you off before you fall off your bar stool then =P
    image
    Report Reply
  • MyNameIsNotMyNameIsNot member
    Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    Outside of the fact that it's rude, this is a logistical problem.  

    We went to a wedding like this a few years ago.  After getting drinks at the bar all night, I walked up to the bar to get three glasses of wine for myself and two others at our table.  Of course, I didn't take my purse.  I was absolutely mortified when I couldn't pay for the drinks.  Thank god a friend happened to be standing next to me who could spot me.  I also hadn't planned on buying drinks for the two strangers at our table, but when they didn't volunteer, there wasn't a graceful way to ask to be reimbursed.  
    Report Reply
  • HilraythebrideHilraythebride member
    500 Comments
    We have a 5 hour reception and 4 hour open bar.  We are not doing any sort of cash bar becuase the bar is closed during dinner.

    You could do tht instead of having the cash bar at the end.  My venue includes the alcohol in the PP price and you can upgrade if you like but it is their standerd to close at one hour for some point in the reception so we figured dinner would be the best.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker "A wedding is a day, a marriage is a lifetime"
    Report Reply
  • WildMageletWildMagelet member
    Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its 1000 Comments First Answer
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_2-hr-open-bar-3-hr-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:03545e15-47b3-4c6d-8972-ae54f714b347Post:88c48c98-f294-45e1-9ee1-945560c84b6d">Re: 2 HR Open Bar, 3 HR Reception</a>:
    [QUOTE]What if you closed the bar for half an hour during dinner and then closed it a half an hour early?  That would be preferable to having cash bar at any point.
    Posted by MyUserName1[/QUOTE]

    +1
    Formerly known as flutterbride2b
    image
    Report Reply
  • The Mel and Todd ShowThe Mel and Todd Show
    1000 Comments
    Rosie, you are killing it over there tonight.
    Photobucket

    Bloggy Mel.

    Report Reply
  • amanda1611tamanda1611t member
    100 Comments
    Thanks guys,

    I guess we can close the bar during the food but it is a brunch. 

    I don't think people will bring cash if they expect a open bar so good point there. I would be embaressed if I went to a wedding and had to pay and had no money!

    However, I think we will be closing the bar during our entrances, and dances. That will be a half hour there, and then we will close a half hour before the reception is over.

    Wedding Countdown Ticker
    Report Reply
  • ViczaesarViczaesar member
    Ninth Anniversary 5000 Comments 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited February 2012
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_2-hr-open-bar-3-hr-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:03545e15-47b3-4c6d-8972-ae54f714b347Post:a083e67d-ac47-4ede-bf49-b0cf7b66a3fc">Re: 2 HR Open Bar, 3 HR Reception</a>:
    [QUOTE]Just do whatever you gut tells you.  If it is better fiancially for you to have two hours, do it that way.  I have been to many weddings with a cash bar.  If the people want to drink that much, they will pony up the cash.  If you can afford it, go for it.  If not, don't feel bad.  
    Posted by rroelofsen[/QUOTE]
    No.



    Report Reply
  • likeadeadstarlikeadeadstar
    100 Comments
    If you can't afford the 3 hours, close for half during dinner, half at end.  I've never seen a wedding where they served to the very end, so nbd. We have four hours+wine with dinner to work with in six hours and we're handling it similarly.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
    Planning Bio
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards