Bar budget

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This is an etiquette board though, so any discussion does end up defaulting to what is good etiquette. When you host an event, guests should not have to pull out their wallets. The point of good hosting is to treat your guests well. A cash bar has been compared to having a dinner party and inviting people over but charging them for glasses of wine.

View Quoted Comment It’s an “Etiquette and Advice” forum meant for conversation. Expectations surrounding social norms vary and I gave my interpretation. I’ll politely excuse myself from all further conversation as clearly it is not welcome.

View Quoted Comment I appreciate a differing opinion! I think you are right that is definitely depends on how your guests will interpret it and honestly everyone has an opinion doesn’t make any one right or wrong. Honestly the people who are getting married are the only ones who truly matter

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I was merely pointing out the nature of the board. You're welcome to post anywhere.

I was in a similar situation, so I looked at our guest list and marked each person as a non-drinker, light drinker, or heavy drinker. Then I multiplied each group accordingly (I used $30 for light drinkers and $60 for heavier drinkers based on drink costs in my area). Anyone I wasn't sure about I counted as a heavy drinker to be on the safe side. I then added taxes and tip. That budgeted amount ended up being well above what we paid. Our total bar bill ended up being about 60% of our budgeted amount.

Based on your guest count and your description of your guests, $3000 should be sufficient.

View Quoted Comment That sounds like a good idea. Thank you!

No matter what your alcoholic dependent guests may want you to believe, unlimited access to alcohol is not a requirement of hosting a wedding. I've been to many weddings where wine was served to the tables, or butlered during cocktail hour. There is also the option of an open bar limited to the duration of cocktail hour, followed by a champagne toast or a glass of wine or two served to the table. A simple, budget conscious wedding might feature a bowl of punch. All of these options are perfectly appropriate and a far more gracious way of controlling costs than a cash bar will ever be. A wedding is a private social event. Host what you can afford, but whatever you do is your responsibility.

View Quoted Comment I just want to make it clear that nowhere did I mention that I was having a cash bar. As I said previously the consumption bar is the only option offered by my venue

View Quoted Comment I realize your posts didn’t mention a cash bar but the title of your thread is currently “cash bar budget” and a PP recommended having one as a solution so I wasn’t sure if you were considering it.

View Quoted Comment The original title was “bar budget” but somehow got changed. I am not considering a cash bar I was looking for guidance on if $3000 was too low and other options to lower the bar cost. Thank you

I'm against common opinion on this site about cash bars. I think as long as your guests are aware they're fine, but it also depends on the norms of your group. If they are cash only, an ATM should be nearby. Otherwise you could nix the bar altogether. As others have said, alcohol is not a requirement. I know a consumption bar would be prohibitively expensive for me. I really don't think $3000 will be enough.