Open Bar Vs. Cash Bar
Perhaps the one part of your wedding reception that would bring the most debate is the option of an open bar vs. a cash bar. An open bar sounds exactly like it sounds. The bar is open to all guests to get whatever drinks they wish. And guess what? With an open bar, the bride and groom foot the entire bill. With a cash bar, liquor has to be bought, thus saving quite a bit of money.
Some people might say that a cash bar at a wedding is a bit tacky. This view leaves brides and grooms in a quandary. The open bar vs. cash bar debate can become rather heated. How can you provide some liquor to your guests without breaking the bank? The answer is a partial cash bar. You provide each guest a pre-determined amount of drink tickets and then any drinks beyond that, they are responsible for paying. This scenario serves both sides of this open bar vs. cash bar debate.
If you have unlimited funds however, go ahead and have an open bar. To know how to arrange for an open bar, just talk with the reception facilities manager. Let them know what you want to do in regards to the open bar. Chances are that you will have to pay a heft deposit on the liquor. After the event is over, you then pay the difference. That is one option.
Another option for the open bar vs. cash bar debate is to purchase your own liquor from wholesalers and then hire a few bartenders to serve drinks that night. Instead of paying the higher percentage mark-ups through a regular bar, you can get a reduced rate. Of course, you have to be pretty good at determining exactly how much you need of each kind of liquor. Many wholesalers are trained though to help you determine the quantities of liquor and wine for an open bar.
Keep in mind, depending on which scenario you go with – the open bar vs. cash bar – you want to have the rules plain as day before guests arrive. Therefore, open bar invitation etiquette states that you should clearly delineate how open the bar will be. You can list “full open bar” or “partial open bar.” Most people will understand these options.
The only thing you have to do is decide which side you are going to take in the open bar vs. cash bar debate. Or, you can play it safe with the partial bar option. Your budget will dictate what you are financially comfortable with spending.
