Post # 1

Member
190 posts
Blushing bee
ive seen quite a few posts that lean toward people being anti-cash bar.. and i was just curious why? we havent decided yet what route we want/are going to take and are weighing out the pros and cons… but i dont think a cash bar is such a bad idea tbh. possibly even less over the top angry drunks lol 🙂
Post # 3

Member
1675 posts
Bumble bee
In some areas, if you are throwing the party, then you are providing everything and it is considered rude to ask your guest to pay for his drinks. In my area, it’s common to have a $2/drink bar, and no one thinks any less of you for it.
Post # 5

Member
2358 posts
Buzzing bee
I’m having a cash bar after dinner and it’s perfectly acceptable where I’m from and I really don’t care who likes it and who doesn’t
Post # 6

Member
310 posts
Helper bee
I don’t think it’s so bad. I do think you need to let your guests know ahead of time that there’ll be a cash bar. I’d be upset to find that out once I arrived.
Post # 7

Member
3567 posts
Sugar bee
I think it depends on what common in your area, and more importantly what you can afford. I only been to two weddings with a cash bar so it’s extremely rare in my circle of friends and family.
Post # 8

Member
642 posts
Busy bee
I have never been to a wedding where it wasn’t a cash bar, it is very common in our area to not have an open bar.
Post # 9

Member
5117 posts
Bee Keeper
Like
@red_pepper_gal: said, it really depends on your area/circle. Some people think it’s the height of rudeness to invite guests and then make them buy their own drinks, while other areas have ‘loonie and toonie bars (CA)’ or ‘drink tickets’ so a few of certain drinks are purchased. In my area, cash bars are the norm, and it’s a nice treat when 1+ kegs are purchased for ‘free beer’ and the rest is all paid by guests who want to drink.
I say know your crowd, and don’t take to heart any cash bar hate on the WB unless you really do “know better” than to do it in your circle and your guests would be upset.
ETA- see other bees posted before my response uploaded, I agree with them. It’s all about knowing your area. In mine, we don’t even try to spread the word about a cash bar b/c all guests bring $$ for cash bar and dollar dance *but that’s a whole ‘nother discussion 😉
Post # 10

Member
1038 posts
Bumble bee
I’ve never been to a wedding with a cash bar in Louisiana(where I’m from) and in AZ(where I live at now). Why not just have wine and beer then if you can’t afford other alcohol?
Post # 11

Member
40 posts
Newbee
Having an open bar is not the smartest thing to do. It can go up soo high and will you be ready to fork the bill at the end of the night? As for me “cash bar” is the way to go. Ask your venue if you can pay xxx amount and put a cap on it. From that point your guest will pay for it. Forget etiquette, not everyone does it anymore.
Post # 12

Member
999 posts
Busy bee
This is how I look at it….
It will cost guest to attend wedding $ (buy dress/outfit, get hair done, nails done etc)
Will cost guest to get a gift. $$
Now guest will have to pay for their drinks. $$$
Not use to cash bars. Prefer open bar, at least wine or one type of liquor.
Post # 13

Member
190 posts
Blushing bee
oh its great to hear that not everyone is having an open bar.. i didnt think a cash bar was so bad till i came here and made me think twice.. we still havent figuered out what we are doing (cash bar vs open bar) but we were definitely leaning more towards the cash bar.. like a PP said, it can get so expensive and we werent sure if we wanted to have a multi-hundred or even thousand dollar bill to front at the end of the night :/ dinner alone is costing us over $6000 :/
Post # 14

Member
2358 posts
Buzzing bee
@SamanthaLovesJames: Although this is true, it is still costing the couple thousands….. so either way.
If they don’t want to pay for their drinks, then they don’t have to come! Everyone knows weddings can be expensive whether your the person paying, or the guest attending.
Can’t please everyone
Post # 15

Member
2582 posts
Sugar bee
I don’t think theres anything “wrong” with it necessarily, but I figure if my friends and fam are paying to get to my wedding, get dressed up, possibly pay for a hotel, possibly pay for a flight, rental car, new dress, etc, and most likely a gift – the LEAST I can do is buy their drinks.
Post # 16

Member
406 posts
Helper bee
@indibee: What’s a “loonie and toonie” bar? I’ve never heard of it, despite living in CA forever. So curious!!
ETA: oops! I’m an idiot. You explained it. I shouldn’t express myself when I have a fever!