Brides that didn't do open bar?

We are having a top shelf open bar, but we are big drinkers as are our families. I also have no worries of anyone becoming drunk or inappropriate because of it because I know our guests (we have a small list). But culturally it would be very awkward to have a dry wedding. It really all comes down to what you and your fiancé prefer, and knowing your guests. I wouldn’t shame anyone for not doing what we are planning, even if I don’t understand it. It’s not my day nor my budget. Don’t overstep the budget just to make a few happy. The only advice I really have is to somehow let people know there is going to be a cash bar. I don’t normally bring any money or credit cards to weddings, so I would be disappointed to arrive and find out I’m unprepared. I think word of mouth would be fine for this, as I don’t think it’s usually put on the invitations.

View Quoted Comment I've heard that many times too. I always counter with "and I'm paying for the food, cake, entertainment and non alcoholic beverages among a bazillion other things. If it's that big of an issue feel free to check the decline option on the RSVPs." I totally understand that some people will be unhappy but if they are only coming to get drunk, I'd rather they not be there.

Definitely open bar! Our venue however lets us bring in outside alcohol, so we are spending about $450 on beer and wine. The venue includes a bartender.
The alcohol was an important issue when we interviewed venues. I liked the flexibility this venue allowed us.

I’ve only been to 1 wedding that had an open bar and it was only open for an hour. Most weddings I’ve been to didn’t even have alcohol offered so I think going with just a cash bar would be just fine!

I think dry weddings are definitely a ‘know your crows’ thing. It’s also pretty common around here for weddings to be dry or have a cash bar. We’re having a very relaxed beach wedding, and none of our guests are big partiers. So for us, a dry wedding makes perfect sense. In other areas/circles, anything less than a top shelf open bar is considered an insult, which I don’t get at all. But that’s ok, I don’t have to, because it’s not my situation.

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Just to add to what you said about getting the info out about a cash bar: I would suggest to those who choose this option to put it up on a wedding website if they decide to make one as well as use word of mouth like you suggested.
We're doing a cash bar so we trying out best to make sure the information is ready an available to everyone invited. I would feel unprepared and disappointed too if I didn't know to bring cash for any alcohol that I may want. There is information (kids/no-kids, cash/open bar) that is considered unseemly to have listed on invitations so we're going to use our website like a FAQ for our wedding.

View Quoted Comment Totally agree with all of this. Well said.

We aren’t doing an open bar at all! Our venue allows for BYOB so we are providing beer and that’s it!

Were doing a dry wedding with other fun drinks instead! i think people should be able to have a great time without alcohol and it’s not needed.

I have been to open, cash, dry weddings and all were fun.

I would feel awful if I found out someone was over spending so I could have a drink. Do what you want and can afford.

You bought me dinner and dancing and invited me to share your special moment, I am an adult, I can buy my own drink (or2).

View Quoted Comment Yes, exactly!

I'm very interested in this thread. We are having our wedding in PA and am only doing beer, wine and champagne. To add liquor was an extra $35 pp! i couldn't believe it. Just to do ONE specialty cocktail was $25 pp. I feel bad for my guests and am not sure if having a cash register for the liquor is tacky. I don't want them ordering something and then not realizing they have to pay. Should we just not have liquor available?

We aren't having an open bar but are having an extended cocktail hour. 2 hours of unlimited red and white wine and 3 signature drinks. After that it will all be replaced with tea, water and soda.

We are having a top shelf open bar for 9 hours, including cocktail hour and welcome champagne for guests upon arrival to ceremony beach location. $140pp includes bartender service and glassware for the entire wedding. We are serving lots of food to keep the party going strong. Cocktail hour passed canapés, a 3 course plated meal and also a midnight plated meal. We are having an international destination wedding though. So, we want to throw a big party for everyone to enjoy and to show our appreciation for joining us. I was a bridesmaid in a destination wedding last year and was just talking to my BFF about her bar. She said it was open bar for 2 hours and then was a cash bar. I honestly didn't even notice. We had a blast at her wedding!

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We are providing wine, beer, and champagne as well but we also added one signature drink. My FW doesn't drink beer and isn't big on wine so I wanted to have something for her that our guests can enjoy as well.

I have been to dry weddings and people leave pretty early. Most of our guests are just fine with wine and beer so we're going to provide that and our signature drink. I think some might imbibe too much at any wedding, but most know how to be responsible and there's always uber. When it comes to cash bars, that has to be mentioned up front. I hate going to events and seeing that there is a cash bar no one mentioned. It's not that people are trying to get hammered, but a drink or two is nice for a celebration and helps get those booties on the floor.

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I'm a huge beer and wine girl so that is good for me. I just feel for $25 pp its a lot for only one signature drink. I'd rather just not have it when the drink they offered was basically the same champagne that is included in my package with chambourd in it.. but then again i'm almost at the point i don't even want them to offer liquor because i don't want to put people in the position to have to pay. We are inviting children to our wedding so i guess its best its not completely open bar.

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I think wine and beer is just fine. We are DIYing the alcohol so it's not much more for us to include the drink. If your venue is charging much more for the champagne with a splash of chambourd, I would want to skip it too. I go to a lot of networking events that provide alcohol and enjoy the wine and beer events just as much as the ones with liquor. I would say the same about a wedding too. It is about your crowd and what works best for you and your budget.

My venue does not allow any alcohol without a certified bartender (basically a family restraint bartender). We discussed having someone take the online test, but we both have heavy drinkers in our family that do not know limitations. They will also be driving a mountain to go home either way they go and it is not a friendly mountain. We agreed on just soda, tea, juice, and water. If they don’t like they don’t need to be there in my opinion. I’m not having a death on my hands for the rest of my life because someone drove home intoxicated.

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Exactly! that is my biggest thing right now - the budget lol thank you