Anonymous wrote:It’s pretty common where I’m from. Only wealthy people had open bars. And there weren’t many wealthy people. However usually it’s noted on the invitation.

It’s also common to have receptions in fire halls with a sandwich bar. So there’s that. We all loved them and they were the norm.

I don't care how poor you are, you can always afford a keg and a dozen magnums of Gallo.

Yes and I thought it was ridiculous! They even charged for other drinks. My son wanted a glass of orange juice and it was not free. They provided iced tea and water. Don't have a wedding like this. If you can't afford it, do less.

Never seen this. So tacky.

Though I prefer at least beer and wine provided, I really don't mind paying as long as I know in advance. It is a little unusual and a lot annoying to be caught off guard.

Tacky, the bride and groom should get a keg or cheap wine.

Anonymous wrote:Aren't there some Boston people on this board? I have been to a number of cash bar weddings there.

I don't live there now but the one I mentioned was in the Boston area.

Aren't there some Boston people on this board? I have been to a number of cash bar weddings there.

Anonymous wrote:I have been to one cash bar wedding. The couple had just graduated college, lived in the Midwest, and were somewhat religious and not big drinkers themselves. So it was sort of like, “if you want booze, it’s available, but we’re not breaking the bank to provide you with it.” There was also a dollar dance, which I have never seen since then.

Sigh. My family is UMC but has dollar dances. It's just what's done in their part of the county and came from Eastern Europe (or so they say). It really is only a dollar and everyone has A LOT of fun dancing with the bride and in a circle. It's done to ethnic music. It reminds me a lot of a Jewish Hora, but yeah you need to give a dollar.

Anonymous wrote:I agree it's tacky. A better way to provide your guests with alcohol but not break the bank is to just serve beer and wine.

I feel like this is extremely common, or maybe a limited set of mixed drinks. I feel like most people are happy with beer and wine, and it limits people getting totally hammered.

I agree it's tacky. A better way to provide your guests with alcohol but not break the bank is to just serve beer and wine.

I have been to one cash bar wedding. The couple had just graduated college, lived in the Midwest, and were somewhat religious and not big drinkers themselves. So it was sort of like, “if you want booze, it’s available, but we’re not breaking the bank to provide you with it.” There was also a dollar dance, which I have never seen since then.

Anonymous wrote:I'd rather there be a cash bar than no alcohol. Stop being petty. You're there to celebrate the couple, not for the free drinks.

+1 OP showing her true colors.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not that uncommon. Personally I think it’s chintzy, but people planning a wedding on a tight budget have to make choices, and it’s not an irrational one.

Where are you from that this is “not that uncommon?” I’ve lived in the Midwest, the Northeast, and the Mid-Atlantic, and have never seen a cash bar at a wedding.

PP - I happen to be from upstate NY and a couple examples I can recall were in the midwest, but I don't think it is a geographic test. It is more about economics and trade offs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're sampling the wrong audience for this question. Most people posting on DCUM are UMC and come from those backgrounds. There are a few posters that have stated this is normal where they come from. For a major city--DC, NYC, San Francisco, it would be seen as odd. But for a small town in Arkansas, it might be considered perfectly normal.

There are parts of DC, NY, and SF where poeple are not wealthy and church basement, at home, cash bar weddings are normal.

+1 The last two weddings I went to in the DMV were at a courthouse followed by dinner at a restaurant and a church followed by reception in the basement. The idea that everyone in DC has a $200k wedding is laughable. Even my friends with more money tended to get married in their hometown where their relatives wouldn't have to travel and the budget stretched further!

Anonymous wrote:You're sampling the wrong audience for this question. Most people posting on DCUM are UMC and come from those backgrounds. There are a few posters that have stated this is normal where they come from. For a major city--DC, NYC, San Francisco, it would be seen as odd. But for a small town in Arkansas, it might be considered perfectly normal.

There are parts of DC, NY, and SF where poeple are not wealthy and church basement, at home, cash bar weddings are normal.