Alcohol on church grounds?

Lol....I don't have an answer....sounds like an interesting group of guests though.

If your bartender is good you shouldn't have fall down drunks. If you want alcohol ask, if you don't want it don't bother asking.

My church has always allowed alcohol outside of the church itself but everyone is different

I recommend a good bartender like Leanne said. You should talk to your church office though, very often there's a no alcohol on premises rule...

If you've signed a contract with the church for the use of the building, it's probably clearly spelled out in the contract. My guess is that answer is going to be no. There is nothing you can do about it if that's the case. If you want to have alcohol and the church doesn't allow it, you'll have to find another reception space.

If you, for some reason, decide to use another venue or can have alcohol, don't let a few potential problem guests ruin something you know would make a majority of your guests happy. You simply tell the bartender to be aware of these individuals, and they are to be cut off when the bartender sees their behavior changing.

What church allows alcohol at the reception? If you have already booked the hall they would have told you their policy on this.

I would ask the church if they even allow alcohol. If they don't, problem solved. If they do, ask what their policy/expectations are. You may be required to get extra insurance, or a certified bartender. A bartender can help monitor people's consumption too, so even if the church doesn't require a bartender it may still be a good idea. Or, if you decide to have a dry reception, that's okay too. Nothing wrong with soda and punch, or tea or lemonade.

Depends...my church is rented all the time, and there is always a bar (figures, right?)

Do that many people have families that get drunk and insane at weddings? I'm honestly kind of flabbergasted. I've never seen that happen.

Someone ALWAYS gets drunk at every wedding I have been to.

Most churches will not allow alcohol on the premises. If you signed a contract look it over. If it's not in your contract, I would speak with the senior pastor and get the yay or nay in writing.

ETA: With that said, most churches don't even allow dancing. So I would make sure you bring this up as well with the senior pastor.

It's not really my FAMILY that will get drunk, it's the possibility of my FRIENDS getting drunk.....I know of one in particular that I don't even want to invite BECAUSE I fear he'll show up drunk ._.

I don't have a contract with my church, am I supposed to? I'm already a member at this church, have been my whole life, but this sort of thing has never really come up and I haven't been to a wedding at my church (weird, right?) so no policy has been laid out, I just called the church office, told them I wanted the church for my days, and they said okay, and that was that.......is there supposed to be more to it?? :o

KitandKaboodle: Churches don't allow dancing?! I've never heard of that :o

My church has hosted dances for Valentine's Day and other times, and even has dance recitals in the FEC (the gym building I as referring to)

Yes...I think you should have a contract. Even if it isn't their normal procedure, I'd ask for something in writing. You want the details spelled out (date, time, fee, etc). Are you being charged a fee or being asked for a donation? If so, it's a business transaction. At the very least, the auxiliary building across the street can't be free. Whenever money changes hands there should be a contract.

@Kassie I know a lot of churches that do dances. I know very often there may be a limit on the noise of music if there's other events elsewhere in the building...

@Kassie, you should definitely have something in writing.

As far as the dancing, I said most churches. Our church does not allow secular dancing or music. EVER! Also, our church will host the ceremony service for non-members, but they are given a contract of what they can and will not do. However, they will not host their reception.

Centerpiece flowers: No, I don't get charged a fee because I'm a church member, I can choose to donate to the church, but I don't HAVE to ( I'm going to)

Future Mrs.JKR, I didn't think about that, but this building in particular can only host one event at a time, I will check on the noise thing though, I hadn't thought of that.

You need to have a contract. What if they decide to have a church event which takes precedence over your day? What if you WANT to have wine and they won't let you?

Get it all in writing.

So, you're getting the wedding and the reception venue for free (unless you want to give a donation, which, you said, you will)? Wow. Great deal.

I'm thinking what Celia's thinking...I live in the land of What If? What if there's a guest speaker they've been waiting to get, and suddenly, in August, they find out that he/she/they are available for September 19? That's what I'd be worried about. I really would get it in writing.

It just depends on the church. My churh didn't give me a contract per say but I had to put down a deposit to secure my day and get my name put on the calendar. There is a contract for the church reception hall. It outlines the rules and expectations of the condition and cleanliness when keys are returned. Also my church allows alcohol and dancing in the reception hall.

OMG

@Monica, OMG what?