Is a cash bar okay for wedding?

Everyone here will agree with your FMIL. Lurk and use the search bar and you will see this is a hot topic. Cash bars are highly frowned upon.

I agree with your FMIL, not that you are a cheapskate, but that it is a cheap thing to do. You have to feed and give drinks to your people.

Please search "Cash Bar" in the search bar.

Also,

Read this thread!

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/thinking-about-cash-bar-dont-do-it/c3b8aef176f60158.html

I will go ahead and say that cash bars are very frowned upon here at WW by a lottttt of the users so please be prepared for the comments. Most will say that food and alcohol are standards when it comes to hosting your guests

No to cash bar. Your guests should not be opening their wallets at your wedding. You should host your reception completely, including alcohol. That doesn't mean you have to have a full bar...you can host just beer and wine and that would be perfectly fine. But do not let your guests pay for anything.

Um.... please read the following thread,

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/thinking-about-cash-bar-dont-do-it/c3b8aef176f60158.html

Yes. You are being bad hosts. Cut your guestlist or postpone the wedding until you can afford an open bar.

No it is never okay to ask for your guests to take out their wallet at your wedding.

Maybe do open beer and wine only as a more affordable option.

On and prepare for an onslaught. This is a touchy subject on here.

Please search for threads on this topic. Cash bars are HIGHLY frowned upon on WW. I would also recommend deleting this thread since things will probably get unpleasant...

I went to a wedding where there was a cash bar and that's honestly the most memorable part of the wedding. If you can't afford it, have the wedding later on so you have time to save. Or shorten your guest list so you can afford it

You'll get a bit of hate for doing a cash bar, but I think you do whatever works for you. It's nice to consider having free wine/beer available, possibly a consumption bar, but otherwise do what you think best!

I think it's a bit of a trendy thing as well. I was doing some research and found some forums from 2010, and almost everyone was saying doing a cash bar wasn't frowned upon at all. Now, people will grab their torches and pitchforks! What matters the most is you're getting married, and paying for it yourself is a big pressure. If you're happy with a cash bar, do a cash bar. End of story

Just scroll up about 4 threads and read Janeen's post if you'r on mobile. If you're on the desktop, it's on the first page!

No to cash bar!

Do not ever ask/expect your guests to pay for ANYTHING while attending your wedding, not even parking!

As pp have said, search for his topic and you will find plenty of discussions on - like a minimum of one per day.

NO.

"Hi Aunt Cathy - Thanks so much for travelling 12 hours to be here for our wedding, spending 500 dollars on yours and your family's hotel rooms and outfits, and giving us a present! Now, that glass of wine will cost you 12 dollars."

See how rude that is?

Cash bars are pretty frowned upon in the world of WW and by guests. They are honored guests at a party you are hosting. They should not take out their wallets whatsoever during the reception

Your FMIL is right.

Regardless of who is paying for the wedding, providing alcohol is good etiquette. Your guests really should not be opening their wallets on the wedding day.

Almost all couples nowadays pay for their wedding themselves. They just prioritize their funds to ensure their guests are hosted properly.

Depending on the definition, an open bar is not required but you need to provide at least beer and wine paid by you. No need to have fancy alcoholic drinks or even hard liquor.

Good luck!

@bridget my moms cousin had a cash bar 30 years ago and my family still talks about how tacky it was. Open bars are not a "trend"

Yup, I agree with your FMIL, cash bar is being a 'cheapskate' and is also rude. And FYI, FH and I are paying for our wedding, no one else, so that's irrelevant.

Very hot topic here. I would just lurk and see what you can find here. This is answered almost daily.

I definitely wouldn't suggest a cash bar. If you can't afford it then maybe push the wedding back and save so you can properly host your guests.