Dry wedding issues?

I agree that they should be coming to support you as a couple and not just for free alcohol. I think an after party would solve the problem - maybe just tell them you'll be at a certain bar after and whoever wants to come celebrate with you and drink can.

I feel alcohol should be provided at a dinner wedding, especially if there’s dancing. But it doesn’t seem necessary for your afternoon wedding and it’s illegal at the park. Maybe focus on that part and your family will come anyway? I’d guilt trip them if they protest.

View Quoted Comment Ooh! I like that idea! I was a bit worried that hosting an after party at our home would get too crowded or rowdy, but meeting at a bar is a great idea! Thanks!

View Quoted Comment Guilt trip probably wouldn’t work for the ones raising the issue, but I think I might just say “good riddance, that’s less mouths to feed” haha

View Quoted Comment Ugh. Well only if you’re ok with them not coming. 😔 Their loss if really they can’t go to an afternoon wedding at 1 pm without a drink.

View Quoted Comment While I’d really like for them to come and I will press it, there’s not much I can do if they refuse to come without alcohol:/

I mean it’s generally expected to serve alcohol at a wedding so I don’t blame them for expecting it and maybe being a little disappointed, but for them to say they wouldn’t come is silly and petty. If they’re really going to miss your wedding because they can’t have alcohol then you’re probably better off without them coming anyway

I had a dinner wedding with no alcohol and we had dancing. People made a few comments but in the end it was my wedding and I preferred it that way. We just planned for only 45 minutes of dancing and made sure to include only popular songs people know, line dances, and a few slow dances. We also split it up with an anniversary dance and bouquet toss. No one seemed bored, but I’d say any longer than an hour people would’ve lost interested. We also served the cake within 30 minutes of dinner being over. Basically if you don’t have alcohol just be prepared for people to want to leave within an hour of dinner being concluded, which we understood ahead of time and were totally ok with.

View Quoted Comment That’s a great tip! Thanks Lauren.

The time of day and setting you're having this affair, blatantly screams that it's a non alcohol affair. I really enjoy my booze but a public park at 4pm is not the time nor place... and I've had breakfast margaritas more times than I'd like to admit.
I'd honestly just tell you to start telling them "aw, you'll be missed".

They're being ridiculous if they dont want to come because there is no alcohol...a wedding is not about the free alcohol (as I'm really finding more and more people on this website seem to think), it's about celebrating a new milstone in a loved one's life. Tell them they're being ridiculous expecting the free booze. And personally, if that's the only reason they would come, I wouldn't want them there anyways. I would be pretty offended if they wanted just the alcohol, not to celebrate with me.

Your wedding should be about one thing and that's the celebration of both of you not for the purpose of getting free alcohol. I'd say tell them that it's your big day and if they cannot support your wishes than they don't need to attend. You shouldn't have to stress about what other people want.

You are absolutely justified in sticking to your guns! If your guests are only attending for free drinks then they don't deserve to be there. If you really want to find a compromise, though, perhaps offer to have a BYOB after-party somewhere else?

First of all, the wedding/reception is so you both are able to celebrate with your loved ones. They should be there no matter what to support you. I would never not go to a wedding because it isn't what I would do.
As far as an after party with alcoholic drinks, I think that would be a great idea. For me personally, my family and friends enjoy drinking, so it would be hard to have a party without wine/beer/spirits.

I think it really depends on the crowd. Our crowd specifically (all our friends & especially my family) expect alcohol at weddings, birthday parties, house warming parties, etc. Most our events involve drinking and we are a big drinking crowd. However, if it's just my husband's side (not my husband specifically) there isn't alcohol since no one drinks. We've been to one dry wedding & one cash bar wedding. We for sure didn't stay as long (like until the very end of the wedding) or dance as long but we still stayed for all the important things & still attended.

No absolutely not. they should be coming to celebrate you!!! who cares if there's alcohol or not?! the answer is simple - your venue doesn't allow alcohol on the premises. they can join you or not. their choice.

Since no alcohol is allowed in the park, then there will be no alcohol. IMO guests can survive a few hours without booze. Just be sure to have plenty of bottled water, soda, and bottled juices for everyone.

If alcohol is the only reason they would attend, then they don't care about you unfortunately. People enjoy themselves everyday without alcohol and midday in a park should be no exception.