Abby Staniszewski's TikTok about her clever idea racked up over 1 million views
Credit: Dylan Burr Wedding Photographer/dylanburr.com
NEED TO KNOW
- A Chicago bride saved over $5,000 by opting for a unique “cash bar” setup at her Colorado wedding
- The couple avoided a $95-per-person open bar fee by paying only for drinks consumed, putting everything on their credit card
- The bride recommends that couples analyze costs and guest drinking habits to determine if this option is a good fit
When planning a wedding, couples often look for ways to shave off a few bucks here and there, as small decisions can add up to a final number far beyond their intended budget.
In a now-viral TikTok video, one Chicago bride who recently got married in Colorado revealed that she found a way to save over $5,000 on one surprising thing: the bar tab.
Abby Staniszewski explained that she had a cash bar for the big day — but none of her guests actually had to pay, making it seem as if it were an open bar.
"Hear me out — cash bar, but not the way you think," the 28-year-old began. "If you were a guest at my wedding, you went up to the bar, ordered a drink, got it handed to you and went back to the dance floor. But if you were behind the scenes, if you were a bartender, I gave you my credit card, and I said, 'Cash bar, but put it all on this card.' "
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She shared that they saved thousands because, when they did a cost analysis, it cost around $95 per person to have an open bar. However, for a cash bar, it was about $12 for a glass of wine, $12 to $15 for a cocktail and around $10 for a beer.
"Each person would have to drink like nine and a half beers for it to be worth it," she explained. "Got a lot of sober people in the family, flower girls, they're not drinking $95 worth a pop."
While there were also some guests "who could probably house 18 beers," she noted that it "still wouldn't offset all the people that don't drink that much."
Credit: Dylan Burr Wedding Photographer/dylanburr.com
"So see if your venue allows you to do that, because if your venue allows you to do a cash bar for logistical purposes, but for everyone else, it's an open bar, seriously, look into it, because you could save some money that way," she said.
Staniszewski tells PEOPLE that this was an option her venue called an "a la carte" bar.
"I have also seen it named 'consumption' tab and 'hosted' bar via comments on the post," she shares. "Because we got married in the 'off season' in Colorado, we did not have a food or beverage minimum, so this made the most sense for us."
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When the couple went over their guest list, they realized they had a good number of sober, pregnant or underage guests coming.
"Were there people who drank 20-plus beers? 100% yes, but the outliers did not offset the majority for us," she shares. "Doing the math, we saved $5,701.07, roughly $55 a head as opposed to the $95 per person for an open bar. Tip included."
She shares that the response to her video has been "very positive."
"I have received many comments that people will look into this option for their wedding. If you save even a little bit of money, it is worth it when throwing a wedding," she adds.
Credit: Dylan Burr Wedding Photographer/dylanburr.com
"There has also been a slew of comments from people saying this would not work for them because their guests drink a lot. Based on comments, if you are from Wisconsin, this 'hack' will not work for you," she jokes.
For other couples considering the same option, Staniszewski recommends conducting a cost analysis as they did.
"Our venue was $95 a person for an open bar. Other places will obviously charge less or more based on location, time of year and liquor licensing," Staniszewski shares. "You have to know your audience if it is worth it for you and your guests."
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