Cash Bar vs. Open Bar

Sounds great but let people know its a cash bar so they will bring extra money with them! i know people these days dont walk with any cash anymore!

We are doing 2 bottles of wine on the table (tables of 6) during dinner and giving each guest 2 drink tickets. After that, cash bar. It allowed us to control costs.

We are providing our guest with the wine and drink ticket as well. After that it's a cash bar. We only have a handful of drinkers coming and they usually bring their own beer anyways.

As long as people know it's a cash bar before they go they don't mind.

View quoted message Yes to this!

We had an open bar because there was no way not to. Our families are Italian and Canadian and they really enjoyed the open bar. Also, in my family it would have been a huge faux-pas if we went the way of cash bar.

It's neither here nor there - when you have an open bar you tend to get more money in presentation, but of course there is no guarantee on that.

For both my family and my FH there was no question - OPEN BAR! but if it's not in the budget/ it's not one of the top priorities - then I would say that it's getting more and more common and all it means is that say I were to attend: I would pay for my meal ($50 no matter what), and then my drinks (another $50). On top of that we would throw in maybe another $20 for the couple. If it's cash bar then the couple can expect only the $70 or round up to $80.

We are doing exactly this! + a glass of champagne at cocktail hour for a toast. We just can't justify or afford a cash bar, our venue will not allow outside liquor to be brought in so we are tied to their prices etc. I think providing 4 drinks (assuming 2 glasses of wine) is plenty! That being said, we are going for a more sophisticated evening with good food and conversation vs a party atmosphere as well. So far the guests we have mentioned this to have been fine!

I find cash bars are becoming more popular, or toonie bars just because the prices for open bars are crazy if your venue doesn’t include it.
Giving a drink ticket and then 2 bottles of wine on the table for dinner is about 2 drinks per person to start which will be ok for many people. Then you don’t have to worry about doing an open bar for people who don’t really drink!

I think the break even point on open bar versus cash bar , is 5 drinks pp. consider a glass of wine before the ceremony, 1 or 2 after, and 2 after dinner. If your guests drink more than that, generally an open bar is cheaper

I'm seriously considering a cash bar after dinner too but we'll have an open bar during cocktails in addition to the 2 bottles of wine with dinner since it's included in both packages our venue offers. My family have said they couldn't care less about paying for a few drinks but I still need to check in with my FH's family, who tend to indulge a bit more.

We’re having a Canadian-Polish wedding so for us a cash bar wouldn’t work; we’re having an open bar.

Having said that, a cash bar is definitely the most cost effective option! I also think it helps guests control the amount they drink (ie less drinking and driving worries). You’re going to have people complain about a cash bar, but your wedding is for you - not other people!

Do what suits you and your partner.