Okay to have a open bar coctail hour only?

Technically, it's not polite to have a cash bar. The guests are YOUR guests, so you should be picking up the tab. Kind of like it would be rude to ask someone to come to your house for dinner and then ask them to split the grocery bill once they get there.

If you can't afford to have an open bar, consider having a limited bar (fewer liquors or lower-quality) or have only beer and wine.

I recently assisted at a wedding where there was a 1 1/2 hour cocktail hour at no cost to the guests, then, once the bride and groom arrived and were announced, it switched to a cash bar. There were 2 bottles of wine at each dinner table [max 10 guests per table], at no cost to the guests, of course.

Whether you choose to have an open bar, pure cash bar or nothing is a choice based on what you can afford. They are there to celebrate with you and if drinking is the only reason to attend, I'd be concerned. I've been to plenty of weddings that didn't serve alcohol at all or only had something for the champagne toast. in every instance, the guests had a good time anyway.

I don't personally know too many folks who can afford to pay for 5 hours of drinking by 200 guests. If it is a choice between having a great meal and an open bar--choose good food. The guests will remember it!

I think cash bars are really tacky. As the host/hostess it is up to you to provide the refreshments. Guests should not have to pay for food or drink. That said, you certainly may choose what it is you're willing to serve. I agree that at those prices, an all-night open bar could get ridiculously expensive. I think your idea of an open bar at cocktail hour only would work. After that, then provide coffee, tea, soft drinks, maybe a nice punch. But don't have a cash bar.

No, have a full open bar for both cocktail hour and the reception. That's just part of HOSTING your guests for your reception. We chose a reception site which allowed us to bring in all the alcohol for 200 people, then they just charged a corkage fee.

Out of the last 20 weddings we have been to, there was one cash bar - not a good idea! I'd rather a wedding be a dry one, then.

Go in half an hour before the wedding, buy a tub full of the $2 beer, ice it down, and set it out for your guests. :-)

You could also pay for beer and wine, but cocktails are cash bar.

Some people think a cash bar is tacky, but with the expense of a wedding and many couples not getting help from their parents, I don't see a problem with it. When I got married, we had a hall that we could bring in our own drinks. Cases of store bought beer and wine we supplied to the guests. And the unopened wine we could return to the store! (World Market, btw)

I think that's a fine idea. How about having a totally open bad for the cocktail hour, but once dinner starts, only keep the beer and maybe a wine free-flowing. Also have soft drinks and water. That way, you've offered them plenty, and if they want to continue with the cocktails, they can foot the rest of the bill themselves.

How about an open bar for the cocktail hour only and just wine and beer for the reception? Decide up front how much you will need and if there are any leftovers, see if you can get your money back. You can also ask if you can provide your own alcohol. It's much cheaper that way.

I've never personally been to a wedding with a cash bar, but I can tell you I've never heard any positive remarks regarding cash bar. I cannot personally imagine inviting guests to an event I host and requiring them to pay for their refreshments.

I know this is tacky but I would pay for 2 alcoholic drinks per person & give each person tickets to turn in at the bar (like when you pay a cover at a club & it includes 1 or 2 drinks). After that, everyone is on their own. I went to a bar mitzvah where the host (a single mom did this). She included the tickets with the invite & you were told to bring them with & to be prepared to pay cash when you used up your tiks. Kids got 1 color for sodas/smoothies & adults got another color for booze.

I agree with the posters who said that a cash bar is tacky.

Have your reception somewhere where you can provide the alcohol, and just provide wine and beer.