Cash Bar for the non drinking bride & groom?

A

Arindelle

New member
Okay, so I have read all sorts of things how cash bars are becoming more common but some still think rude, not making someone pay for drinks in your home, go to a cheaper venue or do open bar for cocktail hour only. Here is a new twist and I'm interested in peoples opinion.

The bride and groom do not drink. Less than 1/2 of the guests attending do not drink. There will be a Champagne Toast provided along with a fabulous meal. Considering these options, thoughts on a cash bar?
I meant to say more than 1/2 of the guests attending do not drink.
 
I have always been ok with a cash bar. I dont expect a couple to pay for an open bar, and I think its disgusting that there are people out there who actually think its rude to have a cash bar! I dont drink anyways but seriously, everytime I go to a friends house for a brithday party, I dont expect him or her to pay for everyones alcohol! and thats all a wedding reception is, a party! So i say go for it, and anyone who has a problem doesnt need to go. Open bars lead to more people being drunk and taking advantage, and they are very expensive. Cash bars control that...if people dont want to pay a few bucks for a drink after dinner then they dont have to drink.
 
I think - - generally speaking - - that peoples thoughts on a cash bar aren't going to change no matter how fabulous the meal is or that a champagne toast is provided.

HOWEVER, my personal opinion on this ... I am from New Jersey - aka the land of sue-crazy people - and there have been lawsuits where alcohol was provided at a party and the hosts of the party were sued for providing the free liquor to the drunk who later got in an accident and hurt or killed someone. The hosts were found to be partly responsible for causing the accident!!
I disagree with the court's decision (unless they can prove the hosts poured the liquor down the throat of the drunk person), but it sets a precedent that hosts of parties can be held responsible for other's poor decisions regarding consumption of alcohol.

For this reason, I personally have absolutely no issue with hosts who choose to have a cash bar or no bar at all. In the case of a cash bar, I would prefer to know about it in advance (via the invite, word of mouth, or the wedding website) so I know to have some cash on me.
 
I am not a heavy drinker but i still think it is a rude to have a cash bar. People are coming to celebrate your special day with you, giving up their time, giving gifts, the least the bride and groom can do is provide a litle bit of alchol to make their guests feel welcome and appreciated. If there really are so few drinkers attending you shouldnt have to worry about spending too much on alchol. Case of wine and a keg should be the least of your worries.

Any dry or cash bar wedding i have been too, tends to end early.
 
I don't see anything wrong with a cash bar if you get a good enough deal on drinks for everyone. I found a company that will do $3.50 a drink per a person or you could do a toonie bar. It's really up to you and being a young couple trying to even begin to find the money for everything in this wedding is hard enough. I think supplying the champagne and soft drinks and punch should be enough. If they want to drink alcohol i don't see a problem with making them pay. You already provided them with food, favors, etc.
 
I'm not a drinker so I would approve on the cash bar, but you have to consider the guests that do drink...More than half the guest who attended my wedding drink so i had to have a open bar. In your situation, if more than half of the guest attending do not drink, i would definitely do the cash bar.
 
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