Alcohol at a wedding

That’s a good question. I would read the contract to explore if there is a clause that prohibits alcohol. If it is a dry wedding in theory but you have the option of bringing alcohol then I can’t see this being a problem. Although there may be liability insurances you may have to pay. You may want to have limited cash bar that is open for a minimum period. Venues can be very pesky in regards o these things.

I'd look into either a cash bar or just offering wine and beer. Due to liquor laws, liability issues, etc. you could be looking at A LOT of trouble, and not just from your venue. It's not worth it to have your wedding day ruined by something preventable.

I wouldn’t risk it. You might get in some trouble and even a fine if you were to do it. It’s not worth it. Could you potentially do cash bar? You could also do a ‘Stock the Bar’ party, in which everyone bring their own liquor they like and it can be served at the venue. I would see if that’s an option to bring your own. That could be an option.

Thank you all very much! I'd definitely rather just not risk it at all!

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Good call. I would think that would be a good way to get kicked out of your own wedding if the staff discovers this.

Dry weddings aren't against etiquette. Asking guests to pay for drinks is. Your idea of a dry wedding is perfectly fine.

There is a huge misconception that not serving alcohol is a breach of etiquette but it actually is not. Asking guests to pay for it at an event you are hosting is. Even if the venue allows alcohol, you are putting yourselves and your guests at risk to get the wedding shut down. Pick a dry wedding which is absolutely fine or hire licensed bartenders to serve alcohol to everyone but you can’t have both.

I respectfully disagree with most of the comments here actually! I'd much rather pay for someone's cash bar than have no alcohol at all. Or wine and beer only!

By no means do I need to drink, or drink a lot, but I enjoy a good glass of wine and I need a little push to get dancing! But what's more than that, is others experiences with having dry weddings. One of my closest friends was heartbroken when friends and family left by the dozen after dinner because they saw "no reason" to stay and dance sober. She felt like she wasted $$$ paying for DJ, photography for the reception when there was barely anybody there.

That being said, not everybody has friends and family who would do this to them. And what they did was TERRIBLE. But I would feel bad knowing this happens and not saying anything, so I do deeply apologize if this is offensive. I am from Texas, where drinking is widely normalized and honestly, expected, so maybe it's a cultural thing here!

Yeah I'm not pro-cash bar but a cash bar is better than not serving any alcohol at all - unless a very strong majority of your guests don't drink.