Wedding receptions go perfect with the best food and unlimited drinks for guests. Drinks served are often what will keep the party rolling when everyone has had their fill of the scrumptious meal served. The amount and kind of drinks offered at a wedding reception, as well as how it will be available for guests, becomes a big question.

What are your options anyway? There are two common ways that you may serve added drinks in your wedding reception –the open bar and the cash bar. For many large wedding celebrations, and with those who have the budget to pay for “everything”, the open bar becomes an excellent option. On the other hand, some wedding receptions may have limit on drinks that go with the food, and so a cash bar becomes a solution for their guests who may want to have more drinks. Take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of open bar vs. cash bar.

Open Bar vs. Cash Bar – The Pros And Cons

Open Bar
An open bar in a wedding reception will give the guests an opportunity to drink freely without paying for their drinks. Quantities of liquor and wine for an open bar are often unlimited, although some hosts may set the highest quantity of drinks that can be consumed –this is to avoid going over the maximum budget intended for the wedding reception.

An open bar is typically paid by whoever hosts the event. The company who caters the wedding reception will most likely include an open bar for caterings that agree to include them in the package. In this case, guests may have to settle with the choice of liquor brands provided by the bar –at times, hosts will need to pay extra for providing “top shelf” liquors for their guests.

Advantages

An open bar allows guests to refill their drinks with freedom, instead of having to wait for a server to give them. They can get their desired drinks on their own. They can also drink a favorite beverage rather than picking one out on a limited menu. If they prefer a certain type of wine or brand of liquor, it usually isn’t a problem. Guests who don’t go for alcohols will also have their assortment of “virgin” drinks, and not just the usual, juice, soda, or water.



Disadvantages

A most common disadvantage with this type is some guests get carried away and over indulge. A wedding reception can be ruined by drunk and rowdy guests, on top of being liable if ever they get caught driving drunk. Open bars also costs more than limited beverage alternatives. A wedding with a “limited budget” may find this a problem –always stick with what the budget can afford. Additionally, a lot of guests may tend to spend more time at the bar instead of the wedding’s main events.

Cash Bar

A cash bar is a bar provided for guests wherein they pay for their own drinks. This is usually to let those guests avail of more drinks if the drinks for the reception are set and limited. This has become a popular and practical option for many weddings with a “budget”. Although some still consider it an “impolite” option, it’s a wise choice unless money is not an issue.

Advantages

Cash bars provide guests with the availability of added drinks if they want to. Guests become conscious of the liquor they take in, as they’re paying for it; thus, avoiding drunk guests. It becomes an “average” option for guests, and they tend to concentrate more on the events of the wedding than staying at the bar.

Disadvantages

Guests sometimes take it the wrong way that they have to pay for their own drinks –it can become quite inconvenient for them.

Weighing the benefits and disadvantages of open bar vs. cash bar will provide a better decision on what would be the best way of serving extra drinks on your wedding.