Why is offering a Cash Bar a bad idea?

At Hermann Hill, you will often hear that the way we want to be judged by a couple is by the way their guests tell them they were treated and how months after their wedding they are still being complimented on how their wedding was the best they have ever attended. 

From a guest's viewpoint, they have invested a great deal of time and resources to attend your wedding.  They expect to be elegantly fed and provided with refreshments as a reward for being there.  Cash bars hurt this impression because it is difficult to celebrate your marriage when guests have to keep paying for drinks.  Moreover, when we do host a wedding with a cash bar, we have noticed that a lot more guests show up to the wedding ceremony intoxicated because they know it is going to be a cash bar.  This is never a good situation and frequently these guests have to be asked to leave because of their behavior.

Finally, since there is usually about an hour between the ceremony and the reception, having an open bar for your guests who aren't involved in photography is essential to their happiness.  These guests already feel somewhat left out and must see that they are welcome and appreciated.  Having an open bar and appetizers during this critical time leads to much greater satisfaction.

Glenda Kraettli, Wedding Coordinator
Hermann Hill Missouri Weddings