Dry Wedding Etiquette - Answered

I'm in the same boat as some of the PP's. Most weddings around where I am are dry (but that could also just be my personal group of friends and acquaintances preferences). I've had fun at every dry wedding I've been too but then again I don't need alcohol to have fun. Alcohol is definitely not necessary but I guess maybe for some crowds it is. There's only been one wedding I've been to that I could not wait to leave and it was actually a wedding that had a ridiculous amount of alcohol available and people were slobbering drunk. It was just disgusting and when I left I was like "thank goodness that's over". Obviously not all weddings with alcohol turn into drunk fests but I say do what's best for you and your guests. WW is a great resource but don't let other people's opinions make you go away from your plans and what you and FH want to do.

'I had a family member who drove from TN to NY for a wedding that had an open bar and said family member talked about how "scandalous" that was.'

How on earth is that scandalous? It would be scandalous if I drove all that way and there wasn't an open bar,

@Natalie - I don't think it's scandalous. I was just giving an example of the mindset of my family who think any alcohol consumption is evil. I will say that she commented how the open bar didn't ID anyone particularly some obviously underage individuals.

Though I know that's not necessarily how all open bars are.

@BahneyBride, as a TN bride (and guest), I do think that dry weddings are much more accepted and "normal" in TN than other places! I've posted before that over the years, the only non-dry weddings I attended were that of my uncle's and a friend who had a very lavish wedding. So, I think it may be regional!

We are getting married at 11am with a lunch reception, dry wedding. It is in an event room and if folks want to go get a beer with lunch at the bar outside, go ahead. We are serving lemonade, water and coffee. We are not drinkers (me 100% not a drinker) and I figure hey: you can go from noon to 3 w/out drinking, right? Our wedding, our budget, no drinking. Our budget is small so it is not like I am dropping $2000 on a dress then won't spring for beer and wine. (My dress is $60 btw!!)

I personally rarely drink, but H does on occasion. We had an open bar and honestly still after 2 months when we run into someone that was at our wedding we are told it was the best reception ever.

I think the reasoning is mostly based on the fact that america is an alcohol culture. people can't enjoy themselves without it. it's a sad truth and one that can be remedied by possibly offering games, interactive activities, not just the traditional wedding things only

I honestly don't see what the big deal is. If you want a dry wedding then by all means don't serve alcohol. If you want to have a cash bar then have one. Nobody is forcing you to pay money and if you're that offended just don't go or don't drink!

Just bc someone doesn't like a certain aspect of weddings doesn't mean that they should condemn others for it

I've been to dry weddings before and still had fun. Granted I'd rather have drinks, but I am a guest and I won't criticize someone else's wedding bc I'd hate to be criticized for something like that when it's supposed to be about celebrating the union of the couple (my wedding is open bar, so this isn't a defense statement)

I think the exception to hosting a dry wedding is religion (and family members & friends who don't drink.)

Even if you don't drink, your guests may. & remember, the wedding is for the guests, the marriage is for you.

It sounds like dry weddings (and celebrations in general) are the norm for your social group. If that's the case, a dry wedding would probably be fine, as that's what they'll generally expect. Like others said, you know your group the best. My family is the opposite, we have alcohol served at every wedding, holiday, party, etc, so it'd be very odd to them if our wedding were dry.

I've only ever been to one dry wedding, and while we did leave early there were other factors that played into that decision (i.e. they served only light appetizers for a 6pm reception, it was ungodly hot, and an hour or so in we still hadn't been able to participate in any of the dancing because every song was dedicated to either a specific person or only married couples, so we got bored). It was also dry due to a last-minute odd decision, so it was awkward all around.

I just recently had a dry wedding. My now husband is a recovering alcoholic and requested no alcohol. There were opportunities for guest to got get a drink before the reception. The reception ended early but everyone had a great time. There was laughs dancing and picture taking. The food was great, the wedding favor was a hit. And for those with small children and long distances to travel, they where happy to be able to drive home safely.

I understand that the reception is for your guest. But there are times that you may not be able to cater to your guest desires. In my case, everyone understood and respected our decision.