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Is cash bar the norm in your area? If your guests are going to assume they are paying for the bar then I see no need to worry. And the only reason I'm asking this is because another bride I know from Alberta was worrying about this and found out that toonie is actually the norm for her area. So if people are expecting to pay then no worries. If they're not I think you should let them know; whether there is a atm nearby or not.
If you have everyone's email address, add them to a distribution list for your website and make sure it's mentioned on your first page in a very nonchalant manner. Word will spread from mouth by there, especially since you sent your invites out early.
One thing I've seen a lot of is an open bar for beer and/or wine but a cash bar for everything else. I was really surprised to see this, but it went over really nice!
Gosh, you know--I'm not sure I've ever seen an invite that specified what kind of bar it is. I always just assume it will be cash and then if I'm pleasantly surprised with open beer/wine or a full open bar, so much the better. But that's in Missouri, Nebraska where I've seen the full gamut of bar options at weddings.
I would just spread the news by word of mouth myself and have your wedding party/relatives mention it casually in passing if it comes up with your guests.
I don't think it's t*cky at all!! I think it's a smart choice.
I would spread word via e-mail and your website. Calling people is too much, but casually letting them know (in the same way you would put out your registry info) will give the right impression. If there's an ATM really close, don't even worry about it! As a guest, I would just head over to the ATM, and wouldn't give it a second thought!
Agreed, I wouldn't worry!! :) It'll work out fine.
I've been to a cash bar wedding where they didn't say anything on invites- they spread the word through word of mouth among friends, as the young people were really the only people who would probably need to know this in advance. also one really nice thing that you may want to consider if your budget allows was that at that wedding, drinks were "free" (i.e., covered by b&g) for the wedding party and the WP's dates. I thought that was nice (esp cuz my FI was in the wedding!)
Pretty much every wedding I have been to with my family has been cash bar, so I think it will be implied it would be.
I might just spread the word to my mom and dad as they definetly would pass the word around quickly.
I mean we ARE paying for some alcohol; 2 bottles of wine on each table and a bottle of champagne for each table as well, so I mean were not cheating them out of money. I just dont want my guests showing up without money and wanting to drink...
If it's the norm in your area, I think you should be fine. OTOH, I wouldn't ever expect a cash bar and never have cash, so we'd be screwed. LOL I think you shouldn't worry.
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I'm sure that people don't care as much. They just want to be there to see the bride and groom get married. I wouldn't worry about it too much. We only included that ours would have premium open bar because they gave us an amazing discount and cut a lot of costs for us for having it on a Sunday morning and we were afraid that no one would come which is why we put it there.
If you're really worried about it, generate a website and include that information in it and email your family and friends so that they can view what will be included at the reception. I created a simple website that cost $5 a month through www.godaddy.com which includes our menu and information on what's included as far as alcohol is concerned.
I live on the East Coast for Canada and having a cash bar is the norm. No one I know has ever been to or heard of a wedding that wasn't a cash bar, so if it's norm for your area then I personally wouldn't mention anything because people would already assume that is what it was. If it was a cheaper bar or an open bar, they will be even happier at the surprise!
Cash bars are the norm around here, and the one time that I showed up to a wedding that had an open bar, I thought "cool" and partied on. I would never think twice about having to be "cash prepared" for a wedding. You never know...
Can you put it on your website or something? I have never been to a cash bar wedding and it is definitely not the norm for my circle of friends or my area. I would definitely be taken aback if I showed up at a wedding with a cash bar. I usually only take my id, my camera, and lip gloss to a wedding cuz I don't like leaving my purse with money or cc in it on some random table all night long while I dance and mingle. So I would definitely be screwed! I wouldn't even have my atm card with me to use it! But like pp if its the norm for your area I wouldn't worry about it too much!
No worries that is a cash bar, but I would suggest letting people know via word of mouth and a wedding website/email blast in a nonchalant way.
I very much disagree with <font size="2" color="#81a026">hhcheung2000</font>, people WILL notice and care -- but not necessarily in a negative way just in an awkward way. I was at a wedding last night and between the ceremony and the reception people headed right up to the bar. It was cash bar until 5:30 (the ceremony was done at 5 but it wasn't vocalized that the bar would turn open in a half hour). It was... awkward. Everyone was muttering "it's open bar? I don't have cash for drinks and a tip!" my parents and I were combining our cash so we could get drinks as well as leave a tip. At another wedding I went to it was cash bar except for bad beer and wine. No one had a clue and again it was awkward.
I don't have a severely big issue was a cash bar (I understand sometimes it is necessary), but I do take issue with not knowing. If you anticipate your guests to drink, some sort of notice would be helpful so they have more than just tip money. The only exception to this is if it is the "norm" in your area.
We do not have a website so as of right now I guess the best way to let them know is word of mouth or emails. I am pretty sure most people coming will assume its cash bar as once again that is the norm.
Since it's the norm, then no worries. Does the venue take credit/debit cards? If not, You could also put a sign in a pretty frame on the bar that says something like "For your convenience, the nearest ATM is located at blahblah location" This way people who aren't expecting it will get the hint BEFORE they order their drinks.
I've been to a couple cash bar weddings where they didn't say anything before, we just found out when we got there. It didn't seem like it was a big deal for most people, though. It seemed like everyone had a little cash with them to buy a few drinks. But if you are worried about it, maybe spread the information in a way similar to registry information- like, put it on the wedding website or have your immediately family and bridal party spread the word?
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Hosted bars, either everything or beer & wine, tend to be more the norm for my family & friends. But, I have never gone to a wedding expecting one, so I always have some cash and at least my ATM card with me. You do whatever you can do, whether it's cash bar or hosted. If it's hosted, then I'm super happy, if it's a cash bar, I got the $$$$. I'm so loving the "toonie" bar option.....that's awesome! But do whatever you can afford, your guests will be happy to celebrate your wedding day whether you pay for the drinks or they do. If you can, through word-of-mouth, kind of mention to some folks...it's a cash bar, but in this day and age, I don't know anyone that doesn't go to a wedding without some money. And the fact that there is an ATM close by is great.
I have never received an invitation that specified whether or not the bar was cash or open. I would never assume a couple would host an entire 5 hour reception as an open bar either. I'm sure people will bring cash with them. I wouldn't worry about it. People shouldn't assume an open bar anyway
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So when we sent out our invitations we were still in disbute over having an open bar, toonie ($2 dollar) bar or a cash bar. So we sent out our invitations without mentioning it.
Now with a lot of thought and advice from both or parents I believe we are going with the cash bar (I know alot of you think it is 'tacky' but I believe it is personal choice) and now I dont know how to let me guests know before the wedding
There is a convenience store across the street with an ATM guests will be able to use if they didn't have cash on them - possibly even one in our venue (not sure) do its not like money is not accessible.
However is there an appropriate way to let guests know of this after the invites have gone out?