Switching to cash bar for welcome party?

I don't think its rude, especially if its for a welcome party. Will you be having open bar at your reception as well? Just curious. 4 hours is more than enough time, that's the standard amount of time for a reception anyways. As a guest I wouldn't complain!

View Quoted Comment Yes! Full open bar at our wedding.

I would probably list the 4 hours as the hours for the event and then if people stay past that they’ll know the event is over and anything going forward is up to them to pay for.

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Girl you are doing more than enough! It's not rude at all, you're literally giving multiple days of drinks on you two. I would be happy as a guest!

Totally fine to switch to cash bar. I’ve been to a welcome party that switched and honestly we were pleasantly surprised they covered any of our drinks! This couple did a certain drink count rather than hours bc otherwise people might have started getting multiple drinks before the cutoff time and could have made the total much higher than expected for the time frame.

Serve whatever you can afford. Don’t offer what you can’t. Or phrase it as “please join us for non hosted drinks and appetizers” which means they pay themselves from the beginning.

Totally ok! I would word it as “open bar until _____” and list the time so they know that’s the window.

View Quoted Comment It is hosted and in our budget for 4 hours! We are happy to provide up to that. Was just wondering for folks who plan to stay later

View Quoted Comment Anyone who stays past 4 hours pays for themselves as it is officially over at that time.

I think that's OK. Honestly 4 hours of open bar is pretty standard anyway.

Edited to add a word

If you are only hosting the event for 4 hours, then switching after the 4 hours is fine. Technically, your welcome party is over and people are just choosing to stick around for longer.

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This. It's completely fine to give a duration for a party, but just announce the party hours not the "open bar" hours, so as to be in the clear.