Table of Contents
Are cash bars tacky?
It’s not tacky—it’s simply safer. Many of us have abused an open bar. “But when you have a cash bar, your guests will drink less—or at least be better aware of how much they’re drinking—simply because they have to pay for it.”
How much should I budget for an open bar at a wedding?
How much is an open bar at a wedding? Your costs can vary quite a bit based on the venue and alcohol package you choose. For a full open bar with premium liquors, The Knot puts the average cost at $4,147, while an open bar limited to cheaper spirits averages $2,550.
Is it wrong to have a cash bar at a wedding?
If you can afford it, absolutely offer your guests either a full or limited bar, but please don’t do a cash bar. It’s expected that the bar will be provided. If the alcohol is not provided for guests, it is the responsibility of the bride and groom to inform their guests. Hard alcohol can be on a cash basis.
Is it rude to not have an open bar at a wedding?
Limit the bar. It’s perfectly fine to serve just beer and wine, or beer, wine, and a signature cocktail. As long as you give them something to drink that they’re not paying for, guests can’t complain about the lack of an open bar.
Is it OK to have cash bar at wedding?
How much alcohol do you need for 100 guests?
How much alcohol do you need for 100 guests? For a 4 hour party with 100 guests, you will need approximately 400 drinks: 160 beers, 144 glasses of wine (29 bottles) and enough for 96 individual cocktails (amounts will depend upon what type of cocktail you serve). If you aren’t serving wine, plan on 240 cocktails.
Is it OK to just serve beer and wine at a wedding?
Beer and wine only is fine. It would also work fine to add in one or two signature drinks. But, the formality of the wedding is not just about what guests wear. A “very formal” wedding should really include a full bar.
Is it tacky to have a cash bar at a rehearsal dinner?
Absolutely not. Even a tip jar on the bar is considered distasteful. “If you’re trying to save money, cash bars are still considered tacky,” Oldham said.
Is it tacky to not have an open bar?
What is a dry wedding?
What Is a Dry Wedding? A dry wedding is simply a wedding without alcohol. The couple may choose not to serve alcohol for various reasons, from religious to financial.
Should you have a cash bar at your wedding?
When you host a wedding with a cash bar, you’re asking your guests to pay for their own drinks throughout the night, whether that’s with credit cards or paper bills. The point is that you, the host, are not covering the cost. Here’s everything you need to know about having a cash bar at your wedding before you decide to take the plunge.
Should you have a cash bar or no bar at all?
If it’s between having a cash bar or no bar at all, go with the cash bar. “If you’re asking people to stay until midnight and they have no liquor, they might be heading out the door sooner than you wish,” warns Ritchie.
How can you save money on your wedding expenses?
There are plenty of ways to save without passing the expense on to your guests. “Close the bar during dinner and just do wine service, or close the bar 30 minutes before the end of the night,” suggests Ritchie. “You can also avoid liquor altogether and serve only beer and wine.”
Should you tip your cash bar bartenders?
“If you have a caterer, [your bartenders] are paid hourly to be there regardless of it being a cash bar, just like every other staffer,” explains Ritchie. Their tips should be covered by you in any gratuity you pass on to your caterer as a whole. If guests wish to tip, that’s their choice—and it shouldn’t be one they feel pressured into.