cocktail hour then cash bar

What time of day is your reception? If it's during a mealtime, heavy apps won't cut it.

Ditto Shannon.

For the invitations I think you just state the time of the cocktail hour and the time of the reception. On your wedding website you can include the details about there being a cash bar for the reception. That's what I would do, anyway.

During cocktail hour will there be snacks as well? You need to word it somehow on the cards and I'd suggest an off hours wedding. My cousin did not have a meal and her wedding was at normal times. She did not make this known at all which resulted in an hour and a half into the wedding, my family and I hightailed it out of there to a restaurant because we wanted actual food.

Cash bar? Ick. Maybe just offer only a couple beers and 1 red and 1 white wine? Cash bar is so tacky. Also - agree with Shannon, people will want more than hors d'oeuvres after a ceremony and hour of drinking.

If i'm a guest at your wedding and I KNOW that booze will only be free during cocktail hour, i'm going to spend the whole cocktail hour getting a drink and then chugging it while i wait in line for another drink.

if i'm a guest and do NOT know that you're having a cash bar, I will be sober and super annoyed at the arrangement because I won't have cash and don't think i should have to pay cash for anything at a wedding

Not a plan. More food, simple bar. Afternoon, invite people for a "cocktail reception to follow", and don't start later than 1:00.

Actually, why would you start appetizers after cocktail hour? You probably don't want a bunch of super drunk people running around before your reception even starts.

I would say on the invites where you put the reception details:

Ceremony at 7 o'clock

Cocktail reception to follow

Cash Bar

If you are having a cash bar, I think it's important to warn people so they know to bring cash, however it is not important to distinguish that during the first our drinks are free, then the cash bar kicks in.

Also, you are having a cocktail reception if there is no dinner, so it's not really like a cocktail hour- it's a cocktail evening. So just call it a cocktail reception so it's clear to people dinner isn't served.

If a cash bar is what you can do, go for it. People on WW tend to hate cash bars, but reality for a lot of people is a cash bar. So be it. Most guests understand it's about affordability, not cheapness.

FYI Cash bar is better than no bar people...she is at a happy medium too since she will be having open bar for an hour. I've been to a wedding with this arrangement and we did double fist and get back in line for more to get drunk before the reception. It was fun and we all knew what the bride and groom were planning so we all had no complaints about the cash bar later

People in general hate cash bars

@Amanda kiora and @Koch bride There will be a fruit and cheese display, vegetable display and also passed snacks during the cocktail hour. I personally prefer hors d'oeuvres because the weddings I've been to with meals have not been the best. The food was either cold, bland or the buffet ran out of certain items. I feel like there will be more than enough food so that no one will be hungry. We have chosen mostly filling options for our hors d'oeuvres. Cash bar obviously wasn't my first choice, however I'm not paying so I had to compromise.

Of course I want the guests to be informed and prepared for the cash bar, just trying to find a tactful way of letting them know. By the way, there will be a tab set up for the bridal party & family .

Put it on your wedding website. Its the best way to tactfully do it.

Also, I'd talk with your caterer about your concerns with a meal. They would be able to figure something out that works. With passed hors d'oeuvres you could be more likely to run out of a few of the well liked snacks quickly.

Part of me feels like you are trying to rile people up. You hit all the points of contention-- cash bar, apps only during mealtime, and an open tab for only select guests.

If your wedding is during dinner, I don't think heavy apps are enough.

What time and how long is the reception.

The wedding is at 4pm and will last until approximately 10pm.

I appreciate and respect everyone's opinions but the heavy hors d'oeuvres are my preference. Our wedding is going to be very relaxed and laid back and we want more of a mingling type of reception vs formal sit down dinner. From what our event director has said this is very common at our venue.

Don't put anything on the invitation about a cash bar. Put it on your website and be sure to tell as many people as you can and tell them to spread the word as well.

I think you're playing with fire by only picking up the bar tab for certain guests. I know I'd feel pretty miffed if I had to shell out for drinks and then the next person in line got theirs for free.

Heavy apps can wind up being more expensive than a full meal - it takes a lot of apps to fill someone up, and they cost more. If you switch to a buffet, you might be able to provide beer and wine for your guests.

I'm not a fan of cash bars but you have to do what you have to do I guess. However, if I went to a wedding where I was charged for drinks and others weren't, I'd be a little pissed. There is very little a host could do that would actually piss me off but ranking their guests is one of them.

I actually prefer heavy horsd'oeuvres to a full meal, but that's just me. I think I'm probably in the minority.

As far as cash bar, I would make it cash bar for everyone. It's rude to only pay for certain guests' drinks and make others pay.