It’s expensive being a wedding guest. Add up the gift, clothes, travel…and it comes to a chunk of change. But hosting? It’s an even bigger chunk. How big of a chunk of that is spent on alcohol?
For the person footing the reception bill, an open bar, which most choose, pushes the bill up quite a bit. Some then opt to limit the drinks or go the cash bar route.
What about the experts? Many say you’re the host so an open bar is appropriate. They ask, “would you make Christmas party guests pay for drinks?” James Abel of James Abel Events says hosts should keep in mind that “the experience is really about entertaining your guests.” Event planner Marcy Blum says cash bar is rude.
There’s no true etiquette rule, but if you plan for a cash bar, make sure it’s on the invite and maybe expect some backlash.
Source: USA Today