What does open bar at wedding mean?

“Broadly speaking, an open bar is a setup where guests don’t pay for any of their drinks,” says Snyder. That is, the hosts foot the full bill. “Guests can walk up to the bar and order whatever they have—whether that’s a full selection or more limited.” The term “open bar” can encompass quite a lot, she notes.

Is an open bar expected at a wedding?

Open bars are popular at weddings, parties, and corporate and charity events. You’ll often see this contrasted with a cash bar or a dry wedding. If you want to serve alcohol at your event, an open bar is a great way to be a generous host and say “Thank you!” to your guests for attending.

Is it rude to not have an open bar at a wedding?

It’s perfectly fine to serve just beer and wine, or beer, wine, and a signature cocktail. As long as you give them something to drink that they’re not paying for, guests can’t complain about the lack of an open bar.

How do you budget for an open bar at a wedding?

To start, a good rule of thumb is to assume the average guest will consume two drinks during the first hour and then one drink for each hour thereafter. The cost of an average open bar at a wedding can account for 10 – 20% of the wedding budget.

What does it mean to have an open bar?

Definition of open bar : a bar (as at a wedding reception) at which drinks are served free — compare cash bar.

Are open bars worth it?

It’s a pricey perk to provide all night, but one that guests appreciate. There’s no way around it: An open bar is expensive. Depending on how many guests you’re inviting and the types and quality of alcohol you want to serve, an open bar can set you back several thousands of dollars. That’s a lot of vodka martinis!

Is a cash bar at a wedding tacky?

It’s tacky—especially if your guests have traveled. You’re spending big bucks on your wedding day, but your guests are paying a price to attend, too. “All of your guests—especially the out-of-towners—have spent a lot of their time, energy and money in order to be there with you on your big day,” says Shelby.

Is not having an open bar tacky?

It’s not tacky—it’s simply safer. But as Stephanie points out, asking guests to pay for their own booze will (likely) mean they drink less—and stay safe. “Any time I’ve left a wedding with an open bar, I’ve been very worried about one or two guests who overindulged and are still driving home,” she says.

Is cash bar at wedding tacky?

“I don’t want to say it’s tacky (that’s a bit harsh), but it definitely isn’t ideal. There are a lot of reasons a bride and groom may opt for a cash bar, and their guests will probably understand those reasons.

How many beers do I need for 150 guests?

A 150-person party that lasts 5 hours would require about 750 drinks if guests expect to drink one drink every hour. This means, if the only beverages you are serving are beer, you can use up to six kegs or nearly 30 bottles or cans of 24-packs.

How much alcohol do you need for 200 guests?

200 GUESTS: 30 bottles of liquor (750 ml)

Do you tip at open bar?

“Every event is unique,” Patrick Maguire, editor of ServerNotServant.com, tells Consumerist, “but as a general rule, guests attending open bar events should always offer to tip bartenders, and many people don’t.”