Is it acceptable for a couple to host a "Cash Bar" (guests must pay for their own drinks) at their wedding reception?

Yes: Weddings are expensive; a free meal is enough.
No: If you can't afford a hosted bar, you should offer non-alcoholic drinks for free.

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Yes as long as its on the invite/website. Most people assume bar is open/free so its polite to inform them ahead

In the UK this is the norm, although i believe it's not in the US!

We had one (uk) although I think we did have wine on the tables.

Standard in UK, never been to a wedding that didn’t have a cash bar

In UK (unless rich) they have a cash bar but some bottles of wine on the table and often a champers/beer on arrival thats free

It uk it’s the normal to pay for own drinks

My husband and I don’t drink so we chose a sober wedding bc we didn’t want anyone getting drunk there either we know how our relatives are who drink and that’s a no for us but alcohol just being given away at a wedding gets expensive very fast so I definitely think it’s reasonable for cash bars at a wedding

I’ve never been to a wedding that was a cash bar. Seems super tacky to me (US). People are likely flying in to
Your wedding, paying for a hotel, getting a baby sitter, etc. they deserve a fun party

I would never assume the bar is included and basically free!! Our wedding guest had to buy drinks but wine for the table was included with the meal

Standard in Ireland. U get wine with dinner a possibly 1 freer k to roast the wedding couple. Otherwise u pay for any drinks after that

Ive got one wedding invitation where they said instead of a registry or cash to bring a bottle of their favorite drink or a drink that reminded the guest of happy memories with the couple. I diddnt go but most everyone who went said it was a blast!

Ask the venue is they allow guest to bring their own wine* bottles and if so, what the corkage fee is. You can share that info on the wedding website that guests can read. If youre doingba cash bar thats okay too, just inform the guests so they plan to bring cash for it.

You could also ask the venue how much for one drink per guests, and then if its affordable do drink tickets. We did 2 drink tickets per guest and then let everyone know after that they had to buy their own drinks.

Where are you, the UK? Totally normal

in our community

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