FMIL is about to book our RD. We're having it in a private room of a restaurant. She asked if it would be ok if we just did a cash bar. We're not a big drinking crowd but I kind of wanted beer and wine available but I know that will be an extra cost and don't want to impose on her budget.
Did you/will you have a cash bar at your RD? What do you think of it?
itsbouttime
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Re: Alcohol at RD?
we have a drinking crowd so I knew we would have to do beer/wine at the RD. Luckily it was only a few dollars extra per person to add on. If your crowd aren't huge drinkers then I would think you could get away with a cash bar if you wanted.
jill13bean
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Re: Alcohol at RD?
i would pre pay for it i would not be comfortable with my guests takig out their own money... a RD is to thank your parties and family
AJsMommy122
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have your fil's set it up as a cash bar at at anytime before..even up to that day you can pay for it not to be. They dont pay the extra $$ and you have time to decide on it.
MegLehner
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Re: Alcohol at RD?
Think we are doing wine/beer and then if anyone wants a cocktail it will be cash. I would just tell FMIL that you want to add wine/beer bar. Most of the places that i have been looking at only charge an xtra 5pp for that. (10 pp for full open bar)
Betty
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We had ours at an Italian place that only had beer and wine. We didn't have it included in the price so it wasn't really OFFERED but it was available for someone to order (if that makes any sense). We told them to keep a running tab and we paid for it at the end. It turns out only about 3 people drank.
We paid for the RD oursleves so it was a little different but you could have them do the same, and keep a running tab of the alcohol or have them offer beer and wine and you and your FH could pay the bill for that part.
september2004
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Re: Alcohol at RD?
I personally would not have a cash bar at an event family was sponsoring. If alcohol was not included, I would do what Betty mentioned.
sammi102
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Why don't you set something up where you have a champagne toast or something for everyone and maybe prepay for a glass of wine/beer or two for everyone. This way if they want more than that the guests can pay for that, but at least your offering...
dkwife
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We are having open bar... I would not feel comfortable either with a cash bar... I also like the idea of having a running tab for anyone who does want a drink...
tracyg
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Re: Alcohol at RD?
ours comes with beer and wine and soda. But if any of our guests wants a better beer (price only includes Bud and bud light... bleh) or better wine, they can order it and put it on a tab that we'll pay at the end. otherwise its about $2 per person extra to upgrade the beer brand... and not everyone will drink it.
Rob-luvs-me
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Re: Alcohol at RD?
I hate to say this - But I think it is rude to invite someone to something then make them pay for something - I DON'T think that you need to go all out though - can you offer say soda unlimited, coffee and tea - then maybe just for part of the dinner add wine and beer - I dont' think you need to have a full bar it is nice BUT NOT necessary - But I do think you need to offer your guests something to drink.
Etd to say some places will cut you deals where say it is $7 pp for beer, wine and soda - but if say the bar tab comes to LESS than that they will let you pay that instead.
nylisa
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I agree. I think it is rude to ask people to pay for drinks when you invitated them to the dinner. We are having ours in a private room in a restaurant too and are having beer, wine and soda and then also running a bar tap and my FFIL will then pay that at the end of the night if there is one.
halloweenbride04
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I HATE cash bars and also think it's rude to invite people and then have them pay for drinks. I think what I'll do is have her inquire as to how much extra it will be to offer beer and wine and then offer to cover that cost.
Thanks guys!
eogara
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Re: Alcohol at RD?
I personally think that cash bars are tacky. What you can do, if it's too much per person, is set up a pseudo-cash bar. Pay the bartender X amount and run it like a debit account. When it gets to a certain amount they can let you know that it's down and you can decide if you want to add more or turn it to fully cash bar at that point. This way, you're only paying for what was purchased.
Either way, though, I think it's rude to ask your bridal party, parents and other relatives/friends to pay for their own alcohol.
EvenEdan
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Re: Alcohol at RD?
I could never EVER do a cash bar at my rehearsal dinner. I would be embarassed. Why can't you run a tab with the bar and then cover it yourself at the end of the night. If your crowd aren't really drinkers then the cost won't be too bad.
bobbsbride
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We are actually going to a bar for our 'RD'. We are having the wedding at the hall and our rehersal will be in the morning. We are just going to go to a bar and give everyone their gifts and thank them!
nferrandi
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I agree that it's a bit 'tacky' to have a cash bar, but I think that offering beer and wine is more than sufficient. You should go ahead and offer to pay the difference, your MIL will probably tell you not to worry about it. If she's not a drinker, it may not have even occured to her to have some sort of alcohol offered.
August2004
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I would def not do a cash bar. This is the time to say thank you to them. You can run a tab or just do beer and wine. I would offer to pay for the alcohol if FI's parents don't want to.
