Is it rude, inappropriate or bad etiquette not to have an open bar at a wedding? Are couples expected to have an open bar at least for cocktial hour?
2006-06-27 08:34:33 · 24 answers · asked by Lani 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
I have found this to be a regional thing. In the Chicago area, open bars seem to be the norm. In Wisconsin, not so much.
Generally speaking, if you are inviting guests to a party, asking them to pay for any expenses does not seem appropriate. Nonetheless, you could probably measure to local custom by the common practice at weddings you've attended in your area.
2006-06-27 08:41:19 · answer #1 · answered by Donald G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cash bars look very cheap and do make people kind of mad because its already costing them to come to the wedding and they really dont want to pay for drinks. I can also assure you it wont be as fun of a wedding as it would be with open bar because I've found people tend to leave earlier or arent as social and talkative as they would be if drinking. I know it sounds sad, but often it does take booze to loosen people up. I had a really cheap wedding but I made absolute sure I had open bar because as long as you have that, people wont complain. They usually do complain about cash bars. Do whatever you can to have an open bar. I even know some people who wont even go to a wedding if its a cash bar. I also think if you have a cash bar you shouldnt expect much of a gift from your guests because booze is expensive. If I go to a cash bar wedding I limit the gift to $25 or less because the other $50 or so I would have given goes towards booze. It also gets pricy for couples. I guess its up to you though.
2006-06-27 12:16:16 · answer #2 · answered by Jenn ♥Cadence Jade's mum♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not aware of any rules regarding whether or not an open bar or cash bar is the proper thing to do. However, in my opinion, you are inviting guests to a party that you are hosting, and I personally would NOT expect my guests to pay for anything. We had an open bar at our wedding, and the cost was very affordable. Most places will give you a set price per person. One option to keep the cost down is to have beer and wine host bar and any other liquor is cash. It can help keep the guests from getting too wasted doing shots at the bar!
2006-06-27 11:43:34 · answer #3 · answered by peanut 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if it's expected, but I think it's the courteous thing to do. Mostly because (1) it's a party and celebration (2) people are giving the bride and groom very expensive gifts, and these people might have traveled a long way to come to the wedding. I think it's rude that these people (who have spent a lot of time and money) to have to pay for their own drinks. It's just me. I think an open bar is a nice way to help everyone relax and enjoy the party!
2006-06-27 09:32:03 · answer #4 · answered by loloshorty9 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm getting married December 16, 2006. We decided to just do beer and wine. The biggest issue for us was the cost of the open bar. Also we were concerned with some of the guests over-indulging and causing a scene, which has happened at friends' weddings in the past.
Good luck!
2006-06-27 17:04:07 · answer #5 · answered by Gretchen D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not expected by most people with no class or sense of etiquette, but it's tacky, bad etiquette, and inappropriate to not have at least something alcoholic to drink available at no charge.
A way to get around the open bar is to have a few bottles of wine on each table. Or, serve a 'signature' drink for free - like a Mojito, a Margarita, or Appletini.
It's rude not to have anything available for your guests - would you have a party at your home and expect guests to pay for their drinks when they got a beer out of the fridge?
2006-06-27 09:07:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isn't rude to not have an open bar at a wedding, but it is poor etiquette to have a cash bar. If you don't want drinking at your wedding, that is fine. But you shouldn't expect your guests to have to pay. Your guests are your guests- whether the party in question is at the reception hall or in your home. Would you have guests over for dinner at home and charge them for their drinks? Its the same concept. If money is an issue, maybe only have beer and wine, or a signature cocktail.
2006-06-27 16:15:49 · answer #7 · answered by Vita 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is bad etiquette to have a cash bar. I think it is extremely tacky to have a cash bar. Although I am only a social drinker, I expect an open bar at a weddings. If there isn't an open bar, I don't lose any sleeps. Whatever you do, don't have a cash bar..Please.
2006-06-27 08:52:51 · answer #8 · answered by Ms. V.H. Robinson 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very expensive to have an open bar. Most people don't usually have an open bar. It should never be expected. But if you do decide to have one, make sure there is some kind of limit or have the number of a taxi company.
2006-06-27 08:50:51 · answer #9 · answered by Minders 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've sang at weddings for the last ten years. I've only been to maybe two or three with open bars. It's not expected...it's a surprise.
2006-06-27 08:38:35 · answer #10 · answered by Scadle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋