Open Bar at Reception??

Original post by belleboyd

Apr 03, 2004 10:45 PM

I am thinking about not having an open bar at my reception.

Beer/Wine/Soda/Juice/Champagne punch only.

Anything else would be cash.

I would run a tab for the bridal party (for whatever they & dates want).

Would you be outraged? Spend the entire car ride home talking about how cheap we are?

Opinions??

JP&EP Posted: Apr 05, 2004 08:30 AM

Re: Open Bar at Reception??

Posted by Soon2bMsZ

Dont most halls have open bar included? IMO open bar is definitly the way to go.. I can see the looks on our family's faces when they found out it was a cash bar

I thought open bar was pretty much the norm in most catering halls also.

prncssrachel Posted: Apr 05, 2004 08:34 AM

Re: Open Bar at Reception??

I think you'll be hard pressed to find a reception hall that doesn't include an open bar these days. It's pretty standard. Why don't you consider some other ways of saving money so that it's not at the expense of your guests. JMO.

MrHostility Posted: Apr 05, 2004 09:33 AM

Re: Open Bar at Reception??

I would be really really pissed. If I gave you a lot of money, I'd probably open the card and take out half of it.

It's pretty tacky to make people pay for drinks at a wedding. Might as well be BYOB.

groovypeg Posted: Apr 05, 2004 10:34 AM

Re: Open Bar at Reception??

Posted by MrHostility

I would be really really pissed. If I gave you a lot of money, I'd probably open the card and take out half of it.

It's pretty tacky to make people pay for drinks at a wedding. Might as well be BYOB.

My friends actually did that for a wedding they went to where there was a cash bar! They used the wedding gift money to pay for the drinks!!!

nov04LIbride Posted: Apr 05, 2004 01:29 PM

Re: Open Bar at Reception??

Definitely open bar. I don't actually know of how many reception places around here will offer you the option of not an open bar (I know everywhere we looked included it in every package), but maybe you could negotiate to not include top shelf alcohol...

Bebalina Posted: Apr 05, 2004 01:31 PM

Re: Open Bar at Reception??

Posted by MrHostility

I would be really really pissed. If I gave you a lot of money, I'd probably open the card and take out half of it.

It's pretty tacky to make people pay for drinks at a wedding. Might as well be BYOB.

I agreee....and i've seen ppl open their envelopes and do that....

neen Posted: Apr 05, 2004 01:31 PM

Re: Open Bar at Reception??

Open Bar--I think people would start pulling money from their envelopes if it was cash bar. JMO

belleboyd Posted: Apr 05, 2004 01:50 PM

Re: Open Bar at Reception??

Boy -- this is HOT topic!!!

I just wanted to thank everyone for helping me prove to my FILs and my FH that I am NOT being a prima donna about this!!

The open bar issue has been closed!

And FWIW: There ARE places that will let you do cash bar ... or no bar ... or run a tab .... or the bar is included in the package.... or any combination of the above. You just gotta ask.

Thanks again!!!

smilealways Posted: Apr 05, 2004 01:55 PM

Re: Open Bar at Reception??

Here in San Diego, a cash bar would be the norm, but things are different out there, and so I voted for open bar.

brideinapril Posted: Apr 05, 2004 02:15 PM

Re: Open Bar at Reception??

I'm gonna have to go with the majority here and say open bar. If I was invited to a wedding and had to pay for my drinks I probably would be annoyed.

no stress bride Posted: Apr 05, 2004 03:11 PM

Re: Open Bar at Reception??

Posted by May2704bride

JMO

Open bar no doubt!!!!!

If you are strapped for cash then have a cash bar but I would slightly ehhh if I went to a wedding and I had to pay for my drinks.

I agree!!! JMO also