Dry bar

Given the setting and your beliefs I think a bottle of wine at each table is a nice compromise. That wouldn't be enough alcohol for anyone to overdo it, unless they were the only person at the table drinking and had a little too much. You know your crowd best though and if you think people will be overly upset about any alcohol all you could keep it completely dry and have sparkling juice to toast with instead. Another option would be to have each person served a single glass of champagne for the toast (if they wanted it).

View Quoted Comment Thank you the sparkling juice was what I wanted to do with possibly a single glass of champagne for the toasts also with the dry wedding do we put that on the RSVP cards for the meal choice or how do we notify without it seeming tacky I mean it with our beliefs and normally it would be a given but I don't want to just assume people will know and understand

If I saw the reception was at a church I wouldn’t expect alcohol. But since it sounds like your church allows it I would do a couple bottles of wine on the tables if you are comfortable with that.

One bottle per table is a fair decision. I don’t plan on serving any alcohol at my wedding, which is not the norm.

View Quoted Comment I think juice and champagne sounds perfect. I dont think you should put it on the RSVPs, I think most of your guests will expect a dry wedding with it being at a church.

You are indeed a thoughtful hostess. Under the circumstances, I don’t think any alcohol is needed. I would just assume a reception in the fellowship hall would be dry and that’s ok.

Thank you all so much my FH and I really just want to get married the rest will be what it will be and hopefully anyone who comes will be happy for us so we're both divorced and so this will be our second marriage and we already have kids so it's really a blending of our families and we're super excited to do it but we have really bad to provide some sort of alcohol or not and we don't want to leave either one of us drink at all we even do grapes used for communion I've been to several other weddings like Catholic weddings who have lots of alcohol and things like that so we just don't drink and our group of people really just don't drink and so it would really only be accommodating a couple of people so I think that we're going to do a sparkling juice and have the option of very low alcohol content champagne or even a sparkling cider for our toast and you guys are amazing because we have really struggled with making the right decision for our guests we're doing a chicken and a fish for the meal and we have a vegetarian option the gluten-free options and I really just want to make sure that the people who come are happy to spend that time with us

I’ve been to multiple church weddings that were completely dry and I don’t think anyone had an issue with it. Especially because most of the guests were from the church community as well so I think everyone was understanding! I don’t think it would be necessary to put it on the invitation that it’s a dry wedding considering the reception is in the church as well. If you want to do a little bit or alcohol I like the idea of a bottle of wine at each table or the single glass of champagne for toasts. Good luck!

I wouldn't expect to have any alcohol at a church reception, so I'm sure it will be a nice surprise for your guest if you go that route and have some for a toast and or dinner

I went to a very Christian wedding and the reception was at a nice hotel ballroom and there was one bottle white/one bottle red wine per table which was fine. Even a glass of champagne (or cider for those who don’t drink) for a toast would be a nice surprise.

View Quoted Comment The most thoughtful Bride! First of all, dont let minor details weigh on your heart! You could add drink options like, sweet tea, lemonade, coffee & tea under the meal options/description. Do not feel pressure to serve alcohol. Sparkling juice, or alcohil free wine are great options too!

If it's a church setting I wouldn't expect there to be any alcohol. You're very thoughtful but throughout this process always remember this is YOUR wedding. Do it how you want to do it and don't allow outsiders or what the "norm" is to stress you out, compromise what you believe in or want to see happen at your wedding besides what may be the "norm" to someone else may not be the next persons norm... Enjoy this time and embrace it all

I would have waiters pouring wine tableside throughout the night.

I would also expect a church wedding to be dry. No need to notate anything on the invite. The wine is a nice touch. Since it sounds like there are only a few drinkers, and you do not want to have a bunch of half drank bottles (which might happen in you put one of each at each table) might I suggest a "wine table"? We went to a mostly dry wedding, but they had a table with wine on it. You were welcome to take a bottle back to your table, or just have a glass poured, whichever you preferred. They had someone there "manning" the table to open up the new bottles, pour the wine for those who wanted just a glass, etc. Worked out very well for them as they did not have much waste. Since you are not drinkers, I would purchase it from a place that allowed you to return unopened bottles.

I've been to 2 dry weddings, both at churches, and I didn't have any problems (I am a drinker). None of the other guests had any issues with it either. Honestly, I'd save yourself the trouble and keep it completely dry. Your guests won't have any issues. However, if you want some wine for toasts, that is okay as long as your church is fine with having it present on the premises.

Did you end up making a final decision, Jessica?

I agree with some of the posters here. I think it’s totally fine having 1 red & 1 white wine at each table. That way when it’s gone, it’s gone. And it’s not enough to get a table of adults drunk but enough for those who may enjoy it with their dinner. I think it’s perfect given you & your hubs professions.

View Quoted Comment We did. After all of the wonderful comments and support we decided to do sparkling juices and ciders in lue of alcohol and if our guests love us and respect us like we think they do then we have made the right decision for us. And if not well then maybe we should not have invited them lol

No need to notify anyone in advance that there will be only wine, or even no liquor , at a wedding. What would be the point? Will it change their behavior? Assume that those coming to the church to see you married are not likely to stay home if there is no bar. Most churches and parks do not allow alcohol to be served, or do not have permit to have anything but wine on the premises, as their tax free status as a place of worship, or education, usually is not maintained if their functions include a bar. Do what you want. It is not necessary to have a bar. Most people get through work and most day and early evening things without liquor. Liquor is not necessary to be a good host. As long as you have a beverage and food, of your choosing, you are fine.