Do I NEED alcohol my wedding?

My family is traveling from west coast & east coast. Only my friends are local. Most are flying in and then have to drive 2 hours to the OBX (most are staying 4-8 days down there as a vacation). It's a big deal for me to host properly. We are having full open bar (beer, wine, liquor), apps, late night snacks, and obviously cake/cupcakes. We even hired a trolley to pick guests up and take them home. I was surprised at how many of my NJ family is traveling to NC for my wedding so I really want them to have a great time. I also have a gluten free aunt & she picked out her own meal & I made sure there were appetizers that she could eat. I also had the bakery that's providing my cupcakes make her a special gluten free cupcake. I agree, the reception is a thank you for all the guests. I don't drink liquor and really don't drink much these days, but I know our family and friends do.

Yes, you NEED alcohol! Host your wedding properly!

You need to have a bar. The reception is for your guest and they are gonna get mad if there's not a bar and probably not have as much fun. If you can't afford it then at least do a cash bar! Cash bars can be tacky but no bar is even tackier!

Thanks VC- that's what I was thinking. I think that's a fair compromise? I'll choose a nice selection of beer & wine, and have margaritas as the signature drink. I think I can make that work : )

Jasmine u got it girl! It will be a perfect choice. U can control the price point, your guests get a little alcohol and you've just increased your success rate of your wedding tenfold!!! L

Okay awesome, thanks everyone! <3

Yes

Mmmm organic margaritas. Yes. Have those.

How long do you want your guests to stay at the reception?

I had only beer and wine. Beer, wine, and margaritas sounds like a really good compromise.

If it comes down to it and you do need to cut back more, you can scrap the margaritas. A signature drink is nice to have, but it's okay to not have it.

Unless your guests are nondrinkers, it would be best to offer alcohol.

We're buying our own alcohol and having our caterer provide the garnishes. It came out to be cheaper

How nice of you to not let your most loved people in your life "die of thirst".. How kind of you.

Yes.

Our daughters wedding will be beer, wine and soda with a signature drink all night. You need something.

Yes. Please serve your guests beer and wine.

If you can't afford it please don't do it in my opinion. You need to do what's best for you and FH!

Kudos for being open minded.

Beer, wine and margaritas are a fabulous compromise.

I am in the same predicament you are. We decided to get a few kegs and wine. Guests are allowed to byob though. Our wedding reception is not going to be as traditional as most. We are paying for the wedding entirely ourselves and the guest list only includes our closest family and friends who understand. We have games and stuff to do instead of just drink and dance so its not a big deal to us as it is to more formal weddings.

Beer and wine is the way to go