BYOB Wedding?

Ultimately, the ceremony is for you and the reception is for your guests. If your guests drink, and you do not have a religous or legal objection, then alcohol is part of their enjoyment of the day and should be provided for them.

On a limited budget, you could serve a punch or sangria, or see if you can bring your own cases of wine, beer and champagne (many retailers will let you return unopened cases).

But BYOB is a definite no - it's a wedding, not a college frat party.

Honestly, I would think it would be pretty tacky to include that on the invite to BYOB at YOUR wedding. I would just not have alcohol, but make sure to let people know it's a dry wedding.

My MIL told me to have a BYOB reception. I laughed and shuddered at the thought of coolers lining the wall of my reception. I agree with Shannon. The reception is for the guests and if you have no objection to alcohol in general at least do something simple for the guests. But a BYOB reception would come across as tacky and incredibly informal. Sorry.

Your venue won't likely allow BYOB anyway. I know the best man and groomsmen joke about sneaking in flasks (we're planning on just beer and wine), but realistically you aren't usually allowed to do that without an alcohol permit and/or a licensed bar tender.

If there is going to be any alcohol, you should be providing it, otherwise, just opt for a dry wedding.

Okay, that definitely helps. I really don't want our reception to turn into (like you said, Shannon) some kind of frat party, but I can already think of a few people who are going to object to us not serving alcohol. As I said, we don't care if other people drink, but we don't really want to pay for everyone to get drunk. I was thinking of serving sparkling cider instead - sound like a good alternative even though it's still nonalcoholic?

I'm not a fan of the BYOB...it would be better to just have a cash bar. That way you don't spend the money and if guests choose to purchase a drink they can. I think BYOB at a wedding reception isn't quite a "good look"...but that's just my opinion.

*If* you decide to do a BYOB - GET INSURANCE. You don't want to be on the hook for people injured b/c they were drunk, in DUIs, people who damaged property, caused injury, etc.

But I do agree with others. At the reception, you are providing the party for your guests, not asking them to bring it. Then again, traditions vary greatly and you really have to know your guests to know whether they would be put off.

Adults generally don't have BYOB parties, they end after college for most people.

I am doing a beer/wine and set-ups wedding. That means if they want hard alcohol they can bring it in and I will have the soda, juice, etc for them.

But I am providing beer and wine/sparkling wine.

Your best bet would be to cut costs somewhere else and provide alcohol for your guests - no one said you have to provide Patron, you can provide domestic beer, a few wine selections and possibly your basic liquors - or leave it at beer and wine.

Oh for the love of the Booze Gods. Please don't force your beliefs on to your guests. You don’t want to drink for personal reasons; don’t, no one is twisting your arm. You are throwing a party, so do it right. That means providing beer and wine at the very least. If you are strapped for cash and can’t afford it, at least have a cash bar.*can’t believe I just said that* You don’t want your wedding to turn into a frat party, treat your guests like adults.

If your guests know that you two don't drink for whatever personal reasons and you don't want to pay for their alcohol then I think it's reasonable to have a cash bar. Write this down because this is the only time I will ever say a cash bar is appropriate lol. Ideally a beer and wine option would be better then cash but I can understand budget restrictions. Perhaps a do a signature drink?

Nik....I was going to type the same thing!

I mean, to say "Adults don't have BYOB parties" isn't really true lol... Anytime any of my friends or I have parties for either a football game or a UFC fight or something along those lines... it's not "rude" to throw out the whole "we will have some beer, but your welcome to bring your own as well..." HOWEVER, those kinds of parties are completely different than WEDDINGS.... You could just buy some barefoot wine... it's really inexpensive... and GOOD lol... and get some beer.... I dunno how large your guest list is though... but that could work!

Do you mind if I ask how much your overall budget is? How much are you spending on your dress, photographer, flowers, decorations, favors, food, venue, etc...?

Where can you cut from these things to make sure that you are providing your guests with the refreshments they deserve?

It's one thing to invite the guys over to watch the football game and not provide food/drink or ask everyone to chip in, it's another to throw a party (i.e. birthday, housewarming, christmas, wedding, etc...) and ask people to bring things IYAM.

Absolutely no byob.

To provide wine and beer is not all that costly.

At$5 per bottle (beringer has a good selection for$ 4-5)

At $21 per 24 bottles case of beer

You are looking at less than $300 for sufficient amount of alcohol for 150+ guests. Just negotiate w your venue so that they will allow you to provide your own alcohol.

Do NOT BYOB your reception...very very tacky and cheap. I'm sorry, but I know alcohol is expensive (we're doing a cash bar because of our budget), but if you're going to have an alcohol-friendly reception it needs to be provided for your guests not by your guests.

Two of a kind Carole! :-)

I'm telling people if they want to drink they can bring their beverage of choice. There are too many alcoholics in my family and FH's who will drink all the booze and then make drunken fools of themselves. I had not planned on supplying any alchohol at all, but FH is insisting on buying a keg. I think it depends on whether you're having a laid back wedding or a more formal one. I did not put anything about BYOB on the invitation, but I have made a point to tell the more severe alcholics by word of mouth that if they want to drink they can bring what they want to the wedding.