Alternatives to alcohol?

Sometimes not having alcohol can really backfire because people will bring it in themselves anyway and get waaay drunker than if they were being served by a licensed bartender. Punishing your guests because a few of your family members are alcoholics is not fair to them. At least do beer and wine.

Could you at least give in on the champagne toast and just have cider available for those in recovery?

Caramel apple vodka is great in apple cider. Just sayin'....

Just some ideas: cocoa bar, coffee bar, Italian soda bar, flavored tea - hot or cold

Lindsey O: EXACTLY.

I've only ever been to one wedding where someone was completely trashed...and he was trashed before the ceremony. Brought a flask, and drank before, DURING THE CEREMONY, and after. He got booted out.

Zoe M, I love the idea of coffee too! Thanks, I hadnt thought about that. Maybe I'll do a general hot beverage bar that would be nice on a cool fall afternoon!

If you're going to have a dry wedding 1) make sure you let your guests know ahead of time that no alcohol will be provided and 2) be prepared for your guests to bring flasks or tailgate in the parking lot.

@OGKristen #3) expect guests to get the hell out of there asap

As an addictions counselor, let me clarify that not even I am responsible for my patient's actions. That's on them.

Great idea

You said some of the venues won't allow alcohol, so some do? If so, I would have a late-morning wedding (11 a.m. maybe?) and a breakfast or brunch reception with blood marys or mimosas. The family with addiction problems should be okay in a calm social setting such as this.

I have a lot of addicts in my family and I am still having an open bar. I personally think that saying there are alcoholics in your family is a poor excuse for not providing alcohol. You are punishing all because of the special needs of few. People expect alcohol at weddings, if price is an issue, you could just do wine and beer. I do have to say I would be disappointed to attend a wedding and learn that it is completely dry.

@RATR, thank you for what you do! And yes, you can make suggestions, but it won't mean shit if the person doesn't truly want to change. I hope I didn't offend you.

Dry wedding + "alcoholic" family members = family members bringing their own and being a much larger liability to you.

If you provide alcohol, it becomes the venue's responsibility if the bartender doesn't cut them off should something be damaged, and/or someone end up in the hospital from alcohol poisoning. If there's no bartender and these things happen, not only are you extremely likely to get hit with fees from your venue or even be shit down, but you are responsible for damages and/or hospital bills resulting from their behavior.

Your argument about saving the so-called alcoholics is null. You're just trying to avoid paying for it, which means your guest list is too big or you need to wait until you can properly host the wedding you want.

My FH is a recovering alcoholic. We have 3 other recovering alcoholics in attendance. And we are having an open bar. If you insist on a dry wedding, plan for a cake and punch reception. And give your guests a heads up. And, FYI, if anyone actually is an alcoholic, they will find a way to drink even if you don't provide it.

To answer your question. We are having a brunch menu for our reception. In addition to our bar, we are offering 3 specialty non-alcoholic beverages. A barely sweet caramel iced latte, a fruit-infused herbal iced tea, and a sparkling hibiscus lemonade. All are made from scratch in-house by our caterer. If you have really good cocoa (not powdered from a mix), a cocoa bar could be fun for a late fall wedding. Same with cider. Both would be better for cool weather.

Definitely let guests know what they're in for. You said that having drinking will make you uncomfortable and not enjoy your day. This could be the opposite feeling for many of your guests, especially if you don't tell them.

Monique- bullying doesn't mean what you seem to think it means.

ETA: I also think it's against the rules to call us bullies if I'm not mistaken.

Mmmm...SCOBY.

*vomits*

No one is bullying. Seriously.

You're obviously going to do whatever you want, but for your guests' sake you should have a quick non-meal time reception. Your reception will not be the party that wedding receptions normally are because no amount of hot cocoa and cider can replace good old fashioned alcohol.