Open Bar vs. Cash Bar

Beyond setting the date, the theme and picking the food, one of the biggest obstacles to overcome in planning a wedding reception is facing the question of alcohol. The implications of the answer can mean the difference between a $10,000 reception or a $15,000 one or beyond.

There are ways to answer the open bar vs. cash bar question without breaking the bank. The fact is an open bar isn’t necessary, but it is generally appreciated. Having the cash bar available, however, can soften the blow for wedding guests, but it’s a good idea to make it clear on the invitations the bar will be a cash one. If you don’t, guests might not be prepared to pay for alcoholic beverages.

Going the open bar route can be a great choice. There are ways to go about arranging for an open bar that has a limit on how much guest can drink, too. How to arrange for an open bar exactly will depend on the restaurant or hall in question, the types of alcohol you want available and the limit that might be placed on guests. It’s a good rule of thumb to budget for at least two drinks per guest for the course of a reception. The quantities of liquor and wine for an open bar will vary, however, based on the number of guests and their typical drinking habits.

Some couples opt to go for a hybrid type of open bar situations. They offer guests the first two drinks in an open bar setting or maybe even three and then transition over to a cash bar. There is a bit of protocol that goes along with this option, however. Open bar invitation etiquette would dictate that “partial cash bar” or something of that nature be stated on the invitations.

Deciding to have alcohol at a wedding is a choice most brides and grooms opt for. Unfortunately, this addition can get rather costly. Whether the alcohol is provided by the caterers or hall or the bride and groom themselves, there are ways to keep the expenses down while making sure the fun isn’t squelched.

If it’s a question of open bar vs. cash bar at a reception, a mix of the two might be the answer. If costs are a concern, there’s nothing wrong with the cash bar route as long as guests are made aware in advance.