Dry wedding? (Alcohol free)

I am not a fan of "dry events" at all. If I knew and event was "dry", I would probably be busy that day.

That being said, why not have a bartender come up with mocktails for you. You could have some fun beverages, without alcohol. Of course, do not be surprised if some of your guests sneak some in with them.

My wedding was dry. REALLY not a big deal. No need to explain. As long as there is *something* to drink-- water, soda, coffee, whatever, your guests will survive. I found that music (we had a great DJ) made it fun, and everyone stayed to the end. Seriously, if you don't drink, it's unlikely you hang with heavy drinkers, and then will be fine.

Okay...you're sorry you came off as rude, but other than that, we're all still judgmental and didn't answer your question. If you want a complete, relevant answer, give all the facts. Being a recovering alcoholic is a huge variable to leave out of the mix. Congratulations on that, but it's not our fault that we failed to read through the lines.

E Carter. It doesn't matter why you want a dry wedding. If that's what you and your FH decided that is fine. Your guest probably know already. I don't think you need to announce. I have been to 3 dry weddings this past year and they didn't announce and i actually didn't expect alcohol. Fun tips. Have a good D.J. I went to a dry wedding where the reception started at 1 and didn't end till 8 and the dance floor was full because the D.J was awesome. I think good music and alcohol have the same effect on the brain anyway. Congrats on your sobriety. That is a great achievement. Also remember with any decision you make, you know your FH, you know your families, you know your guest and friends and YOU (and FH) are the best person to make the decision about your wedding

FSIL had a dry wedding and it was fine. Could have been a lot more fun though. Not too many people danced, which is why I'll be having it.

If you are worried about your guests having a good time, it sounds like your intuition is telling you that people may not enjoy themselves. I think you should listen to this intuition. Either move it earlier in the day and have a lunch wedding, have it end earlier and then go somewhere for an after party, or find a new venue. I have been to dry weddings and can have a good time without alcohol, but honestly, it isn't fun to dance at dry weddings (in my opinion) and I wanted to leave right after dinner.

Ensure your wedding is a day time wedding. The expectations are different. If you choose a dry wedding, ok, just make sure it's at the appropriate time. Same thing as having a wedding at dinner time but not serving dinner --- that's a NO-NO!

Thank you all for your suggestions on a different kind of bar! I think we're going to do a decorate your own donut bar hah! And we we think about moving it earlier in the day as well!!! Thank you for the great ideas

I've never been to a dry wedding. Definitely have it early in the day. Even an afternoon wedding I would be expecting a glass of wine though...

If you are in recovery, your guest's likely will know this and won't expect alcohol. Although the last wedding I went to, the couple were both in AA, but they served a full bar -- it was a very pleasant surprise. There is nothing inherently impolite about a dry wedding, but it will just have a different feel than a typical wedding. Are you hoping for that "party vibe," or are you comfortable with a quieter affair? Do you want a party that goes part midnight or is an early evening more your style? As others have said, a photo booth and donut station don't replace alcohol, but a replacement isn't really necessary.

Since there's been discussion about that dry weddings are a social thing, not a regional thing: I don't think it's true at all. I'm originally from southern West Virginia, and almost every single wedding in that area takes place at a church with a reception in the basement or nearby. Alcohol is frowned upon at social events by most people in my hometown. I've never attended a hometown-ish wedding where there was alcohol served. Recently,a town about 10 minutes from my hometown asked a businessman to not put in a whiskey distillery because of "the image it produces" and a former high school classmate is currently petitioning to remove the "liquor" sign from the local 7-11 sign because she thinks it makes the town look "trashy."

That's not to say the entire state of WV is like that but in the southern coalfields, you definitely get the side-eye when alcohol is mentioned.

It's not regional. I literally hate this argument as much as I hate the "if people want to drink at my wedding then they have a problem and shouldn't be there anyway"

I live in Alabama and I have been to 2 dry weddings total out of 20 weddings I've been to so far in my life.

I may not understand your reasoning for a dry wedding (although the couple being recovering alcoholics is a good reason imo) but I will go to your dry wedding. But I will leave early, sorry.

The only places that I know of in AZ that don't allow liquor are private homes that really aren't venues. Every other place will allow you to bring in alcohol as long as it is served by a licensed and insured bartending company (there are three fabulous ones that I work with all of the time). If this venue is new, they may not realize that they don't need the license. Regardless, if you don't want it because you and FH are recovering, then just say that. While there is no substitute for alcohol, you can bring in fun coffee companies, Italian soda stations and other interactive drink stations.

ETA: I just saw the link you posted for your venue and realized that this is the one public venue in the area that, due to the circumstances of being adjacent to a number of neighborhoods, the business permit was restricted by the town to allay concerns by the neighbors about safety.

Brandy, the venue is called the elegant barn and it is in a residential area and does not have a liquor license. Please feel free to read my comment above and check the link

OP - I think your venue is beautiful and I wish you all the best! What you're planning to do sounds great (to me at least.)

@ECarter I think there will probably still be some dancing, and people eating and mingling. If it's in your budget to do something like a photobooth, that might be a good source of entertainment.

Also, dry weddings are a hot topic on this site and you might get a few not-so-kind opinions... But it's your wedding, and if you love the venue you should keep it and use it despite it not having a liquor license. I've been to two recent weddings with no alcohol, and they were both fun. People danced at both. However, we found they were dry through word of mouth--nothing posted on a web site or in the invite or anything.

Maybe have some fun/funky named 'virgin' drinks that people can try also.

First of all, congrats on your sobriety! While I understand you may have wanted to remain "anonymous", being a recovering alcoholic or being of a religion that disallows alcohol are really the only two reasons IMO to have a dry wedding. Now that we understand your reasoning, I definitely think there have been some great suggestions. I love the idea of having a bartender doing mock-tails and adding another type of "bar" with food. You mentioned having a donut bar - maybe you could also have something at dinner/lunch such as a mac n cheese bar with toppings (bacon, bread crumbs, green onions, etc.). I also agree with having it earlier in the day (maybe done by around 5-6pm) so that guests who want to can go out afterwards.

ECarter congrats on your sobriety, I have many friends in recovery and 5 years is a huge milestone. A couple I know recently had a dry wedding at the elegant barn as well.. not surprising they are both in recovery and the majority of their wedding guests were as well. They had an evening wedding that lasted well into the night. If I know anything about the community of ypaa and aa in the valley is that the party doesn't stop just because there's no booze. Your friends and family are coming to celebrate you. Let everyone know it will be dry like previous posters have stated and you will be just fine.