Cash bar

fallbride502 · September 2014

We haven't decided if we will be doing an open bar or cash bar, what are everyone's opinions on a cash bar? There will be wine at all tables.

photokitty · September 2014

Cash bars are rude and tacky. Open bar, limited hosted bar and dry weddings are all proper and polite. Host what you can afford, but guests should not have to open their wallets for anything at your reception.

GL!

chibiyui · September 2014

fallbride502 said:
We haven't decided if we will be doing an open bar or cash bar, what are everyone's opinions on a cash bar? There will be wine at all tables.

I would avoid a cash bar. Many people find them rude.

If you can afford open, go with the open, it's just easier for everyone involved.

There are also more budget friendly options if a full open bar is too much.

holyguacamole79 · September 2014

Please don't do a cash bar. You also don't have to do a completely open bar, either. You are completely fine to just host wine and beer.

fallbride502 · September 2014

Neither of us drink but wanted to have an option there for our guests who may want more than water, soft drinks or wine. Would it be better to have just wine on the table with no other alcohol option than it would be to have guests pay for any other alcohol they may want?

climbingsingle · September 2014

Cash bars are tacky. Think of it this way - would you invite someone over to dinner, make them a drink and then charge them for it?

You're totally fine though just providing beer and wine. Just don't make it an option to buy other/hard liquor drinks.

chibiyui · September 2014

fallbride502 said:
Neither of us drink but wanted to have an option there for our guests who may want more than water, soft drinks or wine. Would it be better to have just wine on the table with no other alcohol option than it would be to have guests pay for any other alcohol they may want?

You can just offer beer and wine.

I personally don't like wine at the table, I'd rather get it at the bar.

Maggie0829 · September 2014

Cash bar = bad

artbyallie · September 2014

fallbride502 said:

Neither of us drink but wanted to have an option there for our guests who may want more than water, soft drinks or wine. Would it be better to have just wine on the table with no other alcohol option than it would be to have guests pay for any other alcohol they may want?

No guest should ever have to open their wallet at your wedding. Whether that means dry wedding, just wine and/or beer and/or signature drink, or consumption bar (where you just pay the whole tab at the end), or full open bar is up to you. Just no cash bar. Ever.

AddieCake · September 2014

Nobody should pay for anything at your wedding.

leelabear · September 2014

Our venue wants an arm and a leg for an open bar even if they don't end up drinking that much. We are doing a limited bar. Basically we set an amount$ and when or if the guests reach it, they have to pay themselves after that. We are putting a lot of money towards it so hopefully it lasts all night. Its still cheaper for us to do this than an open bar. Certain venues and caterers only offer certain options too. So check with yours.

OK, now all the other brides can call me tacky for not having an open bar.

zitiqueen · September 2014

leelabear said:

Our venue wants an arm and a leg for an open bar even if they don't end up drinking that much. We are doing a limited bar. Basically we set an amount$ and when or if the guests reach it, they have to pay themselves after that. We are putting a lot of money towards it so hopefully it lasts all night. Its still cheaper for us to do this than an open bar. Certain venues and caterers only offer certain options too. So check with yours.

OK, now all the other brides can call me tacky for not having an open bar.

Yep, you're tacky.

slothiegal · September 2014

fallbride502 said:

We haven't decided if we will be doing an open bar or cash bar, what are everyone's opinions on a cash bar? There will be wine at all tables.

SIB

OP, click here for lots of answers to commonly asked questions to cash bars. A limited bar (i.e. only beer and wine) is completely acceptable. A dry bar is completely acceptable. Having your guests open their wallets for anything at the wedding is not.

NYCMercedes · September 2014

leelabear said:

Our venue wants an arm and a leg for an open bar even if they don't end up drinking that much. We are doing a limited bar. Basically we set an amount$ and when or if the guests reach it, they have to pay themselves after that. We are putting a lot of money towards it so hopefully it lasts all night. Its still cheaper for us to do this than an open bar. Certain venues and caterers only offer certain options too. So check with yours.

OK, now all the other brides can call me tacky for not having an open bar.

Tacky for letting your guests pay for anything. Why not add more $$$ on your own when you hit the cap?

MyNameIsNot · September 2014

Asking your guests to pay for anything is never ok.

You can offer limited options or cut off the bar when a certain budget is hit if you want to limit your costs. You can also have a dry wedding.

Asking your guests to pay for drinks is just as rude as asking them to pay for their dinner or charging admission. You just don't do it.

[Deleted User] · September 2014

you know your guests best and what they would think of the bar situation. As long as there is some complimentary option, I think your fine. We're doing complimentary coffee, tea, water, and softdrinks all night long, a wine toast, and either open bar cocktail hour or to a small set amount til it's gone. Cash bars are pretty much expected/accepted in our circles and no one will care.

Liatris2010 · September 2014

rocksteadygrrl said:

you know your guests best and what they would think of the bar situation. As long as there is some complimentary option, I think your fine. We're doing complimentary coffee, tea, water, and softdrinks all night long, a wine toast, and either open bar cocktail hour or to a small set amount til it's gone. Cash bars are pretty much expected/accepted in our circles and no one will care.

No.

A good host never asks their guests to open their wallets. A good guest graciously accepts the refreshments they are offered. This is manners 101.

fallbride502 · September 2014

Thanks ladies! We will be doing a Limited bar of wine and beer only, I appreciate the feedback.

wrigleyville · September 2014

leelabear said:

Our venue wants an arm and a leg for an open bar even if they don't end up drinking that much. We are doing a limited bar. Basically we set an amount$ and when or if the guests reach it, they have to pay themselves after that. We are putting a lot of money towards it so hopefully it lasts all night. Its still cheaper for us to do this than an open bar. Certain venues and caterers only offer certain options too. So check with yours.

OK, now all the other brides can call me tacky for not having an open bar.

Not having an open bar isn't tacky, but asking your guests to subsidize your wedding costs is.

If you can't afford an open bar, you can host beer/wine only, which is much cheaper. If you can't afford beer/wine, then have a dry wedding.

If you don't want a dry wedding, cut costs elsewhere to help pay for the alcohol. Do not pass that cost onto your guests.

crackktheskyy · September 2014

fallbride502 said:

Thanks ladies! We will be doing a Limited bar of wine and beer only, I appreciate the feedback.

Can we clone you?

I just want to say that it's pretty awesome that you asked for advice on here, took the (very good) opinions on here seriously when considering your options, and made an informed decision!

fallbride502 · September 2014

crackktheskyy said:

fallbride502 said:

Thanks ladies! We will be doing a Limited bar of wine and beer only, I appreciate the feedback.

Can we clone you?

I just want to say that it's pretty awesome that you asked for advice on here, took the (very good) opinions on here seriously when considering your options, and made an informed decision!

I don't think you want to clone me because I don't listen to all advice as a lot of what is said in many posts is very critical and can border on hurtful however most people simply stuck to my question and gave constructive feedback which is what I was looking for!

ElcaB · September 2014

Cash bars are stupid.

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