Do I NEED alcohol my wedding?

I'm also having a dry wedding and I don't think it's a big deal. If it's not in your budget then it's not in your budget and that it totally okay. However I am providing a jo-on-the go carts for coffee and smoothies instead.

Your wedding is what you want it to be. Your guests will love you no matter what, that's why you're inviting them. No alcohol to a cash bar is all fine, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I couldn't care less what people feel abt my fiance and I having one. Enjoy your day, and if they truly love you, they won't mind either way you decide. I've been to a non alcoholic wedding before and it was still just as nice. People still partied and had a blast. If you decide to do that, it's not a bad way to go. Alcohol isn't going to make or break your special day. Good luck :-)

Because it's bad form not to, we are having a beer and wine only wedding. This avoids having an extensive cover all liquor selection and keep us within budget. It's a celebration, people are going to want a drink.

Should at least have beer and wine

I'm spending thousands of dollars on my wedding I honestly could care less about offending ONE person #IJS Someone will always have something to say, you can't please everyone

Couldn't care less***

If you don't care about offending even one person, then that one person shouldn't receive an invite to your wedding regardless.

Haha I didn't know spending money meant you don't have to care about some guests and can call all the shots.

You've had a ton of replies. If we have our reception at the 1860's church where we are to be married, we will have punch, coffe, tea, and sparkling water. They do not allow alcohol or dancing on the premises. If we have it at a separate venue, then we are only serving mimosas and bloody mary's as the alcoholic beverages. We have a 10:30a ceremony and are serving brunch. Your guests are there because they love you, not to just party and have a good time. My wedding etiquette book says one need not serve alcohol.

It’s absolutely fine to have a dry bar, it’s your day and like you said they are there to celebrate with you, not get drunk. If you’re allowed to byob to the venue maybe champagne for toast would be nice? Would be a couple hundred dollars depending on the size and type of champagne. But at the end of the day you need to do what makes you happy and feel comfortable with

I think you should definitely make sure that alcohol is available - whether you choose to do open bar or pay for just wine and beer is up to you. Personally, I don't see any problem with giving drink tokens at a cash bar; the key thing is to do what works for you with what budget you have. I've been to loads of weddings in Ireland (where my FH is from) and one in Canada (where I'm from) where it's always cash bar (wine is provided with the meal but that's it, after that it's to the bar with your wallet!).

The only thing you NEED to have at your wedding is a license, an officiant, and whatever else your state requires. .


However from someone else who also doesn't drink (I do occasionally, SO doesn't at all ) I'd recommend having some option for your guests. You could do a limit at the bar, with it stopping at what you can afford.

It's not MANDATORY. But at your wedding reception you should have some drinks available. Like do a consumption bar on you. So if people WANT to get a drink at your reception, they don't have to pay for it. But if they don't drink heavily, you won't be spending unneccessary cash toward something that is not a huge deal to them.

View Quoted Comment THIS!!! thank you Kimberly!
Alcohol isn’t required to have a good time! People are being invited to be a part of a very special day and if the hosts can’t afford it or don’t want it then in my unpopular opinion a cash bar would suffice for people who insist on drinking.

Having a dry wedding is always acceptable - at any time of the day. Yes, the reception is about your guests but you are thanking them with music, speeches, an expensive meal and probably an assortment of extras like fountains or a photo booth. No one needs alcohol. Period. Ever.

I'm not anti-alcohol, BTW, but I take psych meds that don't interact well with it and have psych conditions which alcohol makes worse. I also find drunkenness to be stupid. Girlfriend has said, if we ever get married, she's fine without it because her friends find alcohol extremely entertaining.

That said, as someone else said, it may be easier to have a brunch/AM wedding, or early afternoon wedding where you could get by with nothing more than finger food.

You might also consider making your venue an alcohol-free place, such as a church that doesn't allow alcohol on its premises. Then there would be no argument; you cannot have it on the premises.

You could also offer non-alcoholic beers and wines. I'm not sure what etiquette says but I say, "screw etiquette"; there are so many different thoughts on etiquette nowadays that it's basically non-existent. I had a lady friend who decided against wearing a red dress that she loved to a friend's wedding because she had been raised to "never wear red or white" to a wedding. She got there to find women wearing white sundresses, red dresses, men wearing white suits and red ties... so needless to say, she regretted not wearing the red dress she already owned and loved! I think it's rude as hell that people walk in with cell phones, but it's not going to stop people from doing it. There will be some etiquette expert that will say "it's proper and fine because they're parents. They just need to excuse themselves and put it on silent."

View Quoted Comment I know that people disagree on whether a wedding requires alcohol, but do you really think it’s better to cut people off the invite list just so alcohol is included?

View Quoted Comment That is ridiculous. It's a personal choice. Fine if none. Fine if you choose to. If they "expect" alcohol, they need to stay home. True friends come to wish you well, not drink.

View Quoted Comment They should consider being invited an honor. Stay home and drink. You owe no one a drink.

If you don't want alcohol, don't have it. It's never required and people don't serve it for many reasons. If someone can't have fun without it and demands that you serve it against your wishes/beliefs/fianances/anything, they can decline and stay home. Do not let anyone ever bully you.