AITA for wanting a cash bar at our wedding?

Picture planning your dream wedding on a shoestring budget—free farm venue, gifted catering, and a band playing for love, all under $2,000—only to hit a snag over the bar. That’s the dilemma one 25-year-old bride-to-be and her fiancé faced when they opted for a cash bar to dodge a $1,000 alcohol bill for their 150 guests, hoping to offset costs by charging for drinks. A bridesmaid’s sharp rebuke, calling it “incredibly tacky,” left them second-guessing, as friends and family split on whether it’s a savvy move or a social misstep.

This Reddit saga stirs up wedding etiquette, budget battles, and guest hospitality. Are they wrong for charging for drinks, or just keeping it real? Let’s pour over the story, get an expert’s take, and see how Reddit mixes this cocktail of opinions.

‘AITA for wanting a cash bar at our wedding?’

A couple’s plan for a cash bar at their budget wedding stirred up controversy. Here’s the full story from the Reddit post:

This wedding bar debate is less about alcohol and more about balancing hospitality with financial realities. The couple’s thrifty approach—leveraging free services and secondhand attire—is admirable, but charging guests to profit on drinks crosses a line into exploiting their generosity. A cash bar to break even might be acceptable in some circles, but aiming to recoup wedding costs risks alienating guests.

Event planner David Tutera notes, “Weddings are about celebrating with guests, not charging them for the party.” A 2024 survey by The Knot found that 65% of guests view cash bars as less welcoming, especially at large events. The couple’s freebies (venue, food, music) already slash costs, making the profit motive seem ungracious, particularly with potential legal issues around unlicensed alcohol sales.

Tutera suggests alternatives: a limited open bar with beer and wine, a BYOB setup, or trimming the guest list to fund drinks. Checking local liquor laws is also key. The couple could reframe their approach to prioritize guest experience over cost recovery.

Here’s the input from the Reddit crowd:

Reddit’s tossing back some strong takes on this wedding bar brouhaha—here’s the spirited commentary:

These responses are as bold as a bartender’s pour, slamming the profit plan while offering practical fixes like BYOB. Can the couple rethink their bar to save face, or is the cash idea a party foul?

This tale of a cash bar wedding plan shows how quickly budget savvy can veer into etiquette trouble. The couple’s not wrong to want a low-cost wedding, but charging guests for drinks to make a profit feels like a buzzkill, especially with their already gifted setup. A BYOB vibe, a smaller guest list, or a modest open bar could keep the celebration sweet without souring the mood. Have you ever seen a wedding choice spark debate? What would you do in this couple’s shoes? Share your thoughts below!