Dry weddings, cash bars defended by Gen Z who say complaining is tacky, entitled

Forget Champagne toasts — Gen Z is raising a glass of soda instead.As wedding season heats up, younger couples are throwing tradition out the window — and tossing open bars out with it. Dry weddings and cash bars are now all the rage among Gen Z brides and grooms, who say that complaining about a booze-free bash is not only outdated — it’s downright tacky.“So the younger generation on TikTok is vehemently defending cash bars at wedding receptions,” wrote X user @hotdamhistorian, “and suggesting people who look forward to two drinks at a wedding are perhaps alcoholics.”The post, which has racked up more than 1.3 million views, sparked a firestorm hotter than a backyard BBQ in July.“I assumed making guests PAY for refreshment at a wedding reception was tacky, when you’re already making them pay for travel, lodging, and outfit, etc.,” the poster added. “A reception was about HOSTING a party, but I guess that’s not true.”Still, they admitted that “dry weddings are fine” — just don’t expect guests to cough up cash for cocktails. “People across the world have been having banger dry weddings for centuries,” they said.For Gen Z, the key is transparency.“I just want to know what I’m walking into in advance,” wrote Wes Ambrecht, aka @iamwesley, in the April 21 thread. “If it’s a cash bar or a dry wedding, put that somewhere on your wedding website.” The original writer agreed, comparing it to vegetarians needing a heads-up about the menu.Others were even more blunt: “Complaining that you didn’t get free booze after receiving a formal meal and party where you are a GUEST with live music and entertainment is what’s tacky, actually,” chimed in one commenter.Some guests are so confused, they’re missing out on the party altogether.“One of my Gen Z friends wasn’t drinking much at my wedding bc he thought that we had to pay for each individual drink,” someone recalled. “He got so excited when I told him I al...