Is it mandatory to serve alcohol?

Yessssssssssssssssss

As a guest unless there’s a strong religious reason (i.e. LDS) I always expect alcohol. Even if it’s just beer and wine, it doesn’t have to be extravent cocktails or even very expensive. I just feel that that’s part of properly hosting. We had a bunch of alcohol left over, some of it was returned to the liquor store (we found one that if the bottle was unopened they would take it back) and the rest was divided amongst us and our parents. We had underaged people too, they just wore glow stick bracelets so the bartender knew and that was it.

Oh yeah, big time rude and big mistake. Don't be THAT person that has a dry wedding. No one likes a dry wedding, despite what people who have dry weddings might tell you. "My guests didn't mind at all!". Trust me, they minded.

When you say alcohol are you referring to vodka and stuff? Would you be open to doing wine and beer? I know of this one couple that actually did wine coolers as a nice alternative. Is that an option for you?

View Quoted Comment That won’t work for me. I have a family member that will hand drinks to her children (11,13,14) she’s an issue and nothing will stop the kids from taking the glow bracelets off and I don’t think they would look good at the wedding.

We are not serving any alcohol. No one will miss it.

Why are you inviting people to your wedding that you find annoying? You can do beer & wine as others have said to limit costs or you can see if your venue offers alcohol by consumption if your crowd doesn't have a lot of heavy drinkers, that way you are only paying for drinks that are actually consumed, rather than a per-person set price.

View Quoted Comment People will definitely miss it even if they don't say it to your face. It is rude to not offer alcohol at an adult celebratory gathering.

ETA also a licensed bartender will not serve underage people. Anna do you have a DOC who can keep an eye on this? Lady sounds like a nut.

The biggest problem is that the ones who are most likely to be drinking are the ones who overly drink (it doesn’t matter what they are serving, they’ll find a way to get drunk.) If I could just not invite them I would, but that would cause people I really want to be there to be unable to attend. I don’t want any angry drunks or anyone causing a big scene, which I know for sure at least one of them will probably do as they do it for every party we’ve ever had.

View Quoted Comment The people who say they didn't mind are the ones who brought a flask out of desperation haha

View Quoted Comment If they are that bad they will just bring their own alcohol... your bartender will be able to prevent this. I would give them a heads up as to who to look out for and tell them to cut them off if they are getting too drunk. You shouldn't penalize your guests over a few people's bad behavior.

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LOL! I guess you have to tell yourself that but it couldn't be farther from the truth.

View Quoted Comment If they will find a way to get drunk even with having a dry wedding it's possible these people could bring drinks with them and stash them in the car. You would hope it doesn't happen but it does! If you get the bartender they don't over serve plus you normally need security on property to help ensure no problems. If those people are such a risk and you are worried about them why invite them?

It's good hosting to provide at least beer and wine.

View Quoted Comment I just so they point. Like I said, the majority of them won’t drink. The wedding isn’t going to be very big (South of 100) and the majority of people don’t drink, are too young, or won’t do it because they have to drive home. The wedding is going to be held at my own place, so there’s no venue to discuss it with. It just seems like a waste if here’s only about 15-17 who will drink and about seven who have alcohol issues.

Don’t see the point.* Sorry, phone is acting up. I got water under the protection.

Yeah, at least provide beer and wine for the people that do drink. FH and I don't need a drink to have a good time but we do enjoy having drinks with dinner in a social setting to help us relax. We went to a dry wedding and the only people we knew were the people getting married. Plus we were sitting at a table by ourselves which made us feel even more awkward. We ended up leaving before dinner was served and went to have dinner with my family.

I still have a glass of wine with dinner when I’m driving home. You should serve alcohol.

If it's only 15-17 people who would drink what would be the harm then to have a few bottles of wine available on the event they want to drink? That is part of providing something for all, and it isn't like it would cost too much to do that.

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It sounds like you have your mind made up so I'm not sure why you asked?