Full Open Bar: Overrated or Underrated?

Underrated!! Although I can respect the budget conscious couple choosing to do beer and wine only, I think it’s nice to give your guests different drink options to chose from (not everyone likes beer and wine). I don’t think cash bars are appropriate- I’m inviting loved ones to a party I’m hosting, they shouldn’t be paying for anything!

We’re just doing vodka and rum liquor so anything they can make with those two is good. I feel like a full open bar is more expensive and not really needed. I dunno...

I will have fun either way and be happy to have been invited

Do what works for you

Underrated, for sure! Open bar is a huge thank you to your guests for coming and celebrating your big day. A cash bar and Tip Jars are extremely rude and tacky. No respected wedding guest should feel obligated to pull out their wallets for anything on your day! If your budget only allows wine and beer the so be it, I believe that is perfectly fine as well; at least there is an option for them there to enjoy themselves.

I honestly think it depends on your location. I'm doing cash bar, but I even talked to my venue and most people do cash bar there. I see no problems with either one.

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Underrated! This is the ultimate hosted “thank you” to all of your guest. Therefore, for me it is the opportunity to provide them with a good time in any way we can. Not to mention, since we’re doing a destination wedding, I don’t want them to have to spend anymore than what they need to for the wedding since their expenses will include flights, hotels, attire, etc.

Underrated.

Overrated, just because it is a extra cost. Beer and wine or just beer is enough. I think it also can just depend on you and your guests. We are only going to have beer, but most of our guests don’t drink anyway.

Our wedding package includes an open bar and it's more cost effective for us to get a package, even for guests that only have a drink or two. Many of our guests are traveling for our wedding and they'll appreciate the open bar. Our beer options are limited to one that's popular in my hometown and the liquor options aren't too overwhelming.

I think it depends on the size of your wedding and your budget. We personally have a very large guest list and quite of few people who enjoy their fair share of juice on that list, so I definitely couldn’t imagine having an open bar even though I’d want to for everyone else. So over & underrated lol

I personally think it really depends on your group. I have a few alcoholics in the family and I am honestly petrified of the idea of an open bar. As much as I'd like my 2-3 cocktails for the night for myself, I don't really need the raging alcoholics getting stupid, tearing my dress (they did at my aunt's wedding, ripped the lace off her bodice), or destroying the wedding with their antics. That being said, beer and wine will still get them there - only a little slower. We are having an open bar, but I have my reservations. Personally, I think beer and wine is fine especially if you know they're doing a bar crawl after.

Over! We are doing a dry wedding (GASP I know I am a terrible human being) I have my reasons. 1. obviously it's cheaper 2. I have alcoholics in my family it'll just be easier 3. Religious views 4. I personally don't think you have to have alcohol to have fun it is crazy to think you do.

We had a lot of discussion about this since neither one of us drink. It was expensive per person to have a full open bar so we are going to have a tab and let the venue know a price that we are comfortable with. When the tab gets close to that they will come and talk to us and we can decide from there what to do. That way our guests don’t have to pay but we also don’t have to pay a bunch of extra money for many of our guests who don’t drink.

Over rated ...! You pay for food and other drinks and decor and cake i feel if people want to drink alcohol they should expect to buy there own im having cash bar but bought the soda and juice package for people who dont drink and my kids plus i dont drink much my fiance does drink so hell have to bring some money with him but im sure hell get his buds to buy him drinks lol

Underrated! Your guests should not have to worry about paying for anything!

A good way to figure out if an open bar is right for you is to look at your guest demographics: who’s older than 50 and likely not going to be mixing booze with their meds? Who has young kids and more than likely needs to be on their toes? Designated drivers? If 50% of your guests are in this predicament, the beer and wine is fine. You could act 2 mixed signature drinks for variety. Remember you’ll want to stop serving alcoholic drinks 1-2 hours before the party is over just to be safe.

We’re doing it because it was included in the package with our venue, but it was not our original plan! We were just gonna go with wine and beer only at first! So I think it’s a nice extra but not required!

Underrated. We are having an open full bar. It was better price wise for our package at the venue we picked.

I'm in between. I wouldn't do it, but I wouldn't be disappointed if there was just beer and wine. I'd certainly be disappointed if no alcohol at all, though.