Cash Bar vs. Open Bar?

I been to weddings with cash bars.

I do not drink, so it's not a big thing.

I did go to an wedding where they charge 3 dollars for non alcoholic drinks, I thought that was an bit rude. It was an very small glass on top of paying 3 dollars.

My problem with cash bars is the venue charges an price for the alcohol and bar tender then charge full price for the drinks. I they gave an discount on drinks after charging the couple, that would be different.

I think the venue is making extra money with cash bars.

I also been to wedding where they only had two or three hours of open bar or just wine and beer.

Ask the venue for all options. Some venues have other choices beside open bar and cash bar. One of these options could work better for you.

The venue I picked had an package plan that was cheaper if you picked everything you want. That included open bar for four of the five hours.

Cash bars are not done in my neck of the woods. You plan a party, you supply the food and drinks, anything else is seen as rude. It could be totally different where you're from. I definitely understand being on a budget and wanting to stick with it, but there are other areas where you can compromise. You could consider just supplying beer and wine, you don't have to do a full open bar with every type of drink imaginable. You can also consider having an open bar for a short period of time, rather than all night. You can just do a signature cocktail or two. I would look at other areas of your budget before deciding to go with a cash bar. In my opinion being a gracious host includes paying for beverages.

Agree with some of the other responses saying that this really depends on where you're from. Where I live, it's generally expected that beer and wine will be provided, but that spirits are available at the guests own expense. It would be considered rude to have a complete cash bar (meaning that no alcohol is provided by the bride and groom) and incredibly generous if more alcohol options are offered to guests.

This is a VERY loaded question on here.

Where I live, cash bars are no big thing. People step up to the bar with their wallets out because they know that unless they want beer or wine, they are going to have to pay for it.

Meanwhile, there are other places in the world where if you can't have an open bar, you might as well not even have a wedding.

Well ...give your venue a budget...when it's used up close the bar. Many places have 2 bars so your guests can go there if they wish to continue drinking. You can also open the bar a little later so it covers the whole reception.

Most receptions last between 3-5 hours. Keep yours a little shorter which will also help you with the bar question.

You can also close the bar a little early saying you have your guests best interest at heart...you don't want them drinking and driving....BEST WISHES ON YOUR WEDDING DAY...

It depends on where you are and who you are as to whether this is considered rude. If you're a person who's a new college grad and clearly broke, cash bar is fine, providing the rest of the wedding isn't posh. I've been to 2 weddings that were cash bar, and I was ok with them, considering who the couples were.

The caution here is make sure this is noted on the invitations so your guests come with cash on hand. I don't always bring cash when I go out, and I would hate to be caught off guard.

It totally depends on your whole situation. My mom recently got married. We had a cash bar. But that was with the knowledge that a lot of our family are heavy drinkers and would raise the bill super high. Cash bar helped limits some of our crazy family members ha-ha. Regular drinks; tea water juice soda ect,was offered for free, alongside the glass of champagne for everyone to toast. the cash bar was just if people wanted extra.

So no a cash bar wouldn't be considered tacky. If that what works with your budget and your guest than go ahead.

In my area, a cash bar is extremely rude.

I know people in other areas say it's OK, or at least preferable to having a dry reception.

Take a look at your budget and see what you can cut in order to have an open bar (or at least free wine and beer). Your guests aren't going to give two craps about the favors, the brand of your veil or shoes, the monogrammed napkins, etc. ... but they're going to remember the food and drinks, plus if there were enough seats and if you and your spouse are gracious hosts.

So devote your money to those things, and cut out the unnecessary stuff before you cut the open bar. That should be one of the last things you cut.

PS - whatever you choose to do (and, again, personally I would bend over backward to at least offer free beer and wine if it's at all possible, rather than resort to a cash bar) ... DO NOT charge for soft drinks. Even people in areas that are A-OK with a cash bar say that they're horribly offended when they're charged for a soda or iced tea. I've even heard of guests being charged for a bottle of water. EW. Soft drinks and coffee should always be free of charge to your wedding guests.

I personally have no problem with a cash bar. It seems to me that people won't go crazy drinking (and driving home drunk in some cases) if they are the ones who have to pay. You should not go into debt just because other people can't enjoy themselves at a party without liquor.

You could also consider putting one karaffe of wine on each table and have one or two kegs of beer; and when that's gone, that's it.

My wife and I don't really drink, but chose to keep the guest list shorter to stay in budget instead of cutting things like the bar, since guests in our area do expect it. That said if you must, I would suggest just doing wine and\or beer table service, and just keep the bar closed. Talk to your family and friends.

In my area in popular venues, the open bar is pretty much required on Saturday nights to meet the minimum spend for the room, so you may run into that too.