Cash Bars at Weddings: Here's Everything You Need to Know (2024)

It's no secret that weddings are a major financial investment. Whether it's a backyard affair or a ballroom blowout, pulling off a celebration this momentous requires a significant amount of money—and food and drink are often the biggest part of a wedding budget. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save. One method couples might use to slash costs is having a cash bar (instead of an open one). But while passing off alcohol costs to your guests might sound tempting, a cash bar wedding comes with some headaches.

For starters, your guests might not be entirely used to this beverage model, since most celebrations do, in fact, come with open bars. That doesn't mean that you can't have one—but it makes introducing your attendees to the idea long before the big day particularly crucial. Before you make a choice, however, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of cash bars at weddings (and read up on the etiquette surrounding them). To help, we tapped Laura Ritchie, a wedding planner, event designer, and the founder of Grit & Grace.

Here, Ritchie shares everything you need to know about having a cash bar at your wedding, from tipping expectations to alternative options that offer the same level of savings.

What Is a Cash Bar?

When you host a wedding with a cash bar, you’re asking guests to pay for their own drinks throughout the event, whether with credit cards or actual cash. The point is that you, the host, are not covering the cost.

The Pros of a Cash Bar at Weddings

The stand-out pro is, of course, money savings. If you aren't paying to stock a bar with liquor, wine, and beer, you're cutting out a major line of your catering budget. It also allows couples who might not drink to stay true to their values—but still ensures that their guests, who do, have the option to imbibe, if desired.

Technically, having a cash bar at your wedding will free up funds that could be used elsewhere, in another priority category (like flowers, favors, or entertainment). But according to Ritchie, this plan won't have the desired effect—and you’ll likely do more harm than good. “Guests aren’t going to remember over-the-top flowers if they’re pulling out their wallet,” she says. “What they’re going to remember is taking out their credit card.”

The Cons of a Cash Bar at Weddings

The biggest con of a cash bar pretty much speaks for itself: It goes against the core tenets of hospitality. “If you’re inviting someone to something, you should be prepared to host them,” says Ritchie. “If you don’t have the means to host properly, don’t try to piecemeal it together.” Beyond that, cash bars can also interrupt the flow of an evening. “If bartenders are mixing drinks and running cards, there will be lines just like there are at a club,” Ritchie adds. “It holds up service.”

Cash Bars at Weddings: Tips and Etiquette

When faced with the choice between a cash bar or no bar at all, go with the cash bar. “If you’re asking people to stay until midnight and they have no liquor, they might be heading out the door sooner than you wish,” warns Ritchie. “It’s better to have alcohol or beverages in general than to not.”

If you're going to stick with this model, keep the following logistical and etiquette advice in mind.

Make Sure Your Venue (and Vendors) Can Support a Cash Bar

Cash bars work best at venues that are already set up with in-house electronic sales systems and processes for handling multiple customer transactions, such as restaurants and country clubs. They are much more difficult to coordinate when working with an off-premises caterer.

Tell Your Guests Before the Wedding

Be sure to communicate that you are having a cash bar on the details card of your wedding invitation suite and on your wedding website. Once the event arrives, hotel welcome bags and door tags are other opportunities for a reminder—and your wedding party can also spread the word. If you’re providing transportation from a hotel, ask a few friends or family members to remind guests to stop at the lobby ATM (or remember their wallets) before they hop on the shuttle.

When it comes to phrasing, aim for simple, straightforward, and gracious. A few suggestions from Ritchie:

• We’re so excited to host you for dinner! Unfortunately, we can’t host the bar, so please feel free to bring cash or a credit card for alcoholic beverages.
• If you wish to participate in beverages throughout the night, please bring a credit card or cash to enjoy the bar.
• Unfortunately, we can’t host the bar, but please know they will accept cash or credit cards.

Skip the Tip Jar

“If you have a caterer, [your bartenders] are paid hourly to be there, regardless of it being a cash bar, just like every other staffer,” explains Ritchie. Their tips should be covered by you in any gratuity you pass on to your caterer as a whole.

If guests wish to tip, that’s their choice, but they shouldn't feel pressured to do so. “Tip jars on the bar are always a no,” Ritchie adds, because they suggest gratuity is expected instead of optional.

Ways to Cut Costs on Wedding Alcohol Without Having a Cash Bar

Many couples think cash bars are the only option for cutting wedding-day beverage costs. But that's simply not true: There are a myriad of ways to host an open bar without spending a fortune. “Close the bar during dinner and just do wine service, or close the bar 30 minutes before the end of the night,” suggests Ritchie. “You can also avoid liquor altogether and serve only beer and wine.” Another alternative that allows you to have some hard liquor at your wedding? Consider offering two predetermined signature co*cktails (we suggest one that is vodka- or gin-based, and another that is whiskey-based) only—and limiting the rest of the menu to wine, beer, and hard seltzers.

Another option: Reframe your wedding style. “Try a welcome-style reception in the late afternoon, when a bar won’t be as expected,” says Ritchie. “Put out fun sodas or La Croix, then let people leave and go out to dinner on their own dime.”