Do I NEED alcohol my wedding?

Most of the venues I contacted had package pricing, per head. They all said it wasn't any cheaper to do just beer and wine. Now, you can ask your venue if you could do x-hours, or x- dollars open bar, then make it cash, but that needs to be communicated to your guests. My friends did it, But they had a HUGE afternoon reception, so everyone was fine with it. If you have to cut corners, don't do it at the expense of your guests. Cut your guest list and host them well.

Your guests are nice people, not party animals? So drinking and partying make people not nice? Just a retoracle question.

Considering your wedding is on a Monday, I wouldn't expect your guests to be "party animals" if they are going to work the next day. However, you should at least offer beer and wine. See if your venue offers a consumption based bar if you know that your guests won't be over-imbibing. It may be less expensive. Otherwise you should postpone and save until you can properly host your guests, or consider a cake and punch style reception during a non-meal time.

@Amy - No please don't do this. You can't just have it be open bar for x hours and then all of a sudden Grandma Ethel is next in line for a glass of wine trying to make it before the buzzer and it strikes that magical hour that she has to open her wallet, that's not okay either. Just because you know someone who did something like that doesn't make it any less rude. You shouldn't ask your guests to open their wallet to enjoy themselves at the reception that is there as a thank you to them.

Correct do not do a Cash bar that is the worst thing to do ever. You should provide beer and wine and thats it.

Mmmmm with that venue, definitely add the margaritas. That would be the first thing I would look for!

Does your venue let you BYOB? That really cuts down on the cost if you buy your own alcohol and that way, you also get to have a say in which type of alcohol and how much is served at your wedding.

Jasmine, love your venue, and yes your plans of beer/wine/margs sounds great!

Monica, guests should not have to BYOB. This is an event that YOU are hosting. Your guests should not have to provide anything. If you can't afford the bar, lower the number of guests.

Amy, no don't switch the bar from open to cash part way through. It's rude and confusing for guests.

I do not believe you have to provide anything you dont want to. You provide what you are able to. If your guests dont like it, they can decline or go to a bar after your reception. Guys, please dont be mean...we dont know this girls story. What if she has people who suffer from alcoholism in her family? That is a temptation she would not want to provide. All i am saying is, everyone is different. It is okay. Maybe do apple cider as an alternative or just champagne? It ia your wedding, not your guests. Have fun girl.

You legit just inferred that nice people don't drink. Which means people who drink aren't nice?

Beer and Wine are needed at minimum

Actually Sara, you're 100% wrong. The reception is for the guests, not the wedding couple. No-one was being mean, I've read the whole thread. Alcoholism is not a legit reason to not have a bar. Please educate yourself on that. Providing alcohol is part of good hosting.

Again, its her wedding. You can have alcohol at yours. Telling her she is cheap and wrong is wrong. Mormons and muslims do not have alcohol at weddings. They are not cheap.

Yes it is a big deal. Your guests will not have as much fun and will leave earlier if all you offer is soda and tea. You have a year until your wedding. Either cut the guest list or find ways to save more. Cut another areas of your budget. Skip favors, spend less on flowers or decor. Find a way to offer something. Don't do tokens. Offer beer and wine

Sara, you might want to lurk around a bit and learn some actual etiquette. We didn't call HER cheap, that would be name calling and against the TOS. Saying that it looks cheap not to serve alcohol to guests is not wrong.

My budget is limited and I either wanted an open bar or no bar similar to you. I found a bartender that is licensed and insured that server the alcohol I purchase to the guests. It was a very affordable option and we are having an open bar. But once a it's gone it's gone. Maybe you could find something like this near you? But if not no alcohol is fine too. Alcohol just keeps the people dancing and staying longer.

Oh and the thread just went to crap after OP decided to do what would be proper etiquette.

Yes... yes you do.

UO here but so far no one has proven to me that having alcohol is considered good hosting (ETA or not having alcohol is bad hosting). Literally not one etiquette source, all personal opinion. @OP, I think beer, wine and margaritas is fine. If you went the dry route, also fine but moving it to a lunch may make it easier to swallow for those who expect alcohol at a wedding.

UO here for sure, but I don't believe in the idea of your reception being a thank you too guests. That's why receiving lines and table visits exist, to directly address and thank each person for attending. That doesn't mean you should host poorly, but I also don't believe that a lack of alcohol automatically equals poor hosting?either. If you know your crowd well enough to confidently say that they will not miss alcohol if you don't serve it, then do your thing. If you think there's a possibility some will be offended, then you'll have to decide if it's worth that aggravation to you. Also, you could have a cake and punch reception during the day, when alcohol is not necessarily expected anyway.