Wedding Etiquette: Cash Bar Wedding Parties

As more couples, these days are celebrating their wedding in the evening; throwing open bar party has become a trend and is rapidly gaining popularity. Open bar implies that the guest can order any number of drinks of the brand of his liking. There is no upper limit to the number of drinks which must be ordered. This is a way opted by couples who are ready to burn a hole in their wallets.

However, many couples are opting for cash bars as it would come under their budget. Unlike open bars, in any cash bar wedding party, the guests have to pay for every order they make. The newlyweds cannot be held liable in case of non payment by the guest. The guests have to hand down a bill for the drink similar to the way a customer usually does while he orders a drink at the local bar.

Wedding Etiquette, however, commands the brides and grooms to not opt for cash bars. You would be evaluated as a zero if you opt for one. Even couples with tight budgets are not advised to go for it.

As cash bars defy Wedding Etiquettes, you are sure to receive unpleasant and nasty remarks from guests if you opt for it. These remarks may range anywhere from commenting on your budget to your manners. Hence, it is advisable not to go ahead with cash bars. Rather, you can end your reception with a quiet sit down dinner thereby saving yourself and your spouse from the embarrassment right on your special day.

The point that guests forget here is that they themselves are defying wedding etiquettes by commenting on your efforts. But, there is no way that we can silence them.

Answer to the cash bar problem

There is one alternative available to the cash bar. According to Wedding etiquette experts, you can opt for a semi open bar instead whereby you need not fear about defying Wedding Etiquette and simultaneously you need not have to bear the brunt.

Experts on wedding etiquette say that it is advisable to cash bar all the drinks after the first two while the first and the second drinks can be under the open bar system.

As per social drinking standards, two drinks are acceptable. By opting for this combination of open bar and the cash bar, you can be sure that the guests attending the party are satisfied while you can also be happy that you need not burn a whole in your pocket. This way of hosting the evening party also ensures that the guests maintain their composure and excessive drinking by the guests can also be avoided. Thus, a large number of couples who are a bit tight on their budget are opting for this combination way of hosting the cocktail party.

Second Wedding, Do It Right This Time...

Tradition and etiquette dictates that second weddings should be simple and casual instead of being formal and extravagant. However, the number of second or encore wedding is sharply growing each year. Such ceremony is designed to celebrate two people who want to embark on a new marriage with different partners.

Etiquette In Announcing Your Engagement

The immediate concern in planning a second wedding is how to announce this to you children. The children should always be the first be notified of your decision to remarry, as this will combine two already established families. Expect you children to be stressed by your move and they will need a certain amount of time to accept the situation.

The bride and groom’s parents should be the next to be informed and then the respective ex’s. The ex-wife or ex-husband should make an effort to appease the children and reassure them about their roles in the new family.

Engagement rings from the past should not be worn anymore based on second wedding etiquette. All signs of previous relationships should be taken away once planning for the wedding and announcements are made.

A second marriage can be announced informally such as advertising it in the newspaper, making emails and phone calls. Under second wedding etiquette, the couple does not have to host an engagement party but a small gathering can be organized where you can make that important announcement.

Who’s Going?

Just about anybody can attend your second wedding. However, in observance of second wedding etiquette ex-spouses and former in-laws should not be invited even if you are in speaking terms to avoid awkwardness among the other guests.

The bride and groom should calculate a realistic budget for the wedding. This is a rare chance to again have the wedding of your dreams, it could be elegant, extravagant and intimate.

Vows and Ceremonies

Second wedding are normally made in civil ceremonies but can also be done in a religious ceremony. They are many ways to make the ceremony fell very intimate and special. Writing vows is common among second wedding and there is an abundance of books written about it. The children can be assigned to do an important part of the ceremony in order to foster unity. They can escort you while walking the aisle, read passages from the bible or serve as attendants in the event.

The closest family members and friends of the new couple can walk down the aisle or no one at all.


Are Bridal Showers Needed?

Bridal showers for encore brides are normally but this need to adhere with second etiquette rules.

Only guests should be invited

Club, Office and school showers can also be done and can be attended by other not on the
official guest list. However, those that attended the bride’s first wedding should not participate.

Wedding Gifts and Registry

Guest should make they register. Some guests will have the uncontrollable urge to give something even if the couple does not want gifts. It’s also acceptable for encore couples to sign in the gift registry.

Wedding Gift Ideas for Second Marriages

• Gift certificates—restaurants, spas, stores
• DVD player and DVDs
• Charity Donations
• Coffee maker, pasta maker, cook books

Wedding Receptions and Parties

The reception of a second wedding may be extravagant or simple depending on the taste of the couple. The bride and gross will be first at the line and followed by their children. The traditional garter and bridal bouquet toss are optional.

Not Necessary In A Second Marriage

• Rehearsal Dinner
• Attendants
• Accompanying the bride down the aisle
• Procession

Advisable

• Make a gift registry even if you don’t want gifts.
• The children should have responsibilities in the ceremony.
• Customize and personalize the wedding and reception.

Please Avoid

• Doing the same things in like your first wedding.
• Wearing a similar wedding dress.
• Marry in the exact spot of your first wedding.
• Use old rings from a past marriage.
• Criticizing former spouses

Optional

• Showers
• Engagement Party
• Announcement in the newspaper
• Rehearsal Dinner
• A laving wedding with attendants
• Parents walking down the aisle
• A different color for the wedding dress instead of white