Dry Wedding

I would only attend a dry wedding if it was held in the reception hall of the church. Alcohol isn't generally allowed on those premises. However, I would expect a very short reception.

If you are not having one at a religious establishment, then offer at least wine/beer.

I've been to one dry wedding. People left to go out for a drink. I did too.

I've never been to a dry wedding and I would strongly discourage having one. That said, if a loved one was having a dry wedding, I would still go. I just don't think it would be as fun.

I would try to save elsewhere-- flowers, photography, dress, DJ-- to at least provide wine and beer.

To those saying it's not worth an open bar with lots of minors at your wedding, you are not (usually) charged the open bar portion of your fee for minors.

The few weddings I went to were dry. One because of cost, another because of religious reasons. I really don't care. I don't go to someone's wedding for drinks or food. We are having drinks on your own at our wedding so people can drink if they want...but we aren't paying for it. Another friend of mine did byob...here it's not common for people to buy drinks or have open bars idk..

I'll probably get blasted for this but I really don't care.

My first wedding was a DRY event. We planned it that way on purpose. Not to save money but because of my mother being a belligerent drunk and functioning alcoholic that had no self control around it and also her mouth has no filter when she drinks. No it was not an option to tell her to just not drink as she was helping to pay for it and this was the way that we were able to control her consumption.

That being said. It was held on a Saturday night ended at 11pm and finally at midnight we had to escort people out as the venue needed to close down. Everyone had a blast fun was had by all that were there except for 4 people. They did leave early but oh well that is on them.

People still comment on how much fun they had at the event and that was held back in 1995. I even has people coming out of the woodwork now trying to get invited to this wedding and commenting that they know it will be just as much fun as the last one.

So yes it can be done and done well. And if people want to talk about you not having alcohol there well that is their problem and they should live a little bit more cos you do not need to have a drink in hand to truly have a good time.

We're having a dry wedding as well. Our venue is a church and doesn't allow alcohol. Ultimately it's your choice. The same way people rant and rave about not only inviting people to a wedding for the gift...well don't attend a wedding just for the booze.

I have been to four dry weddings and felt differently about them all.

1st- The couple and their families didn't drink so most of their social circle didn't drink. This was a fun wedding. They had a great DJ that got and kept the party going. People danced and had a good time.

2nd- The reception was in the church basement. The whole vibe of the wedding was dry, not just the fact there was no alcohol. The food sucked and there wasn't enough. Most people left after cake.

3rd- Was at a hotel and the bride and groom couldn't afford it. This reception was dragging until it was discovered that there was a bar in the hotel. Once guest got drinks the party started and became a fun night.

4th- Religious reasons for not having one. This wedding dragged because all they played was swing music so no one was dancing. I couldn't wait to leave.

I really think it depends on the couple and the guest.

Mrs. L Mac I am so glad I read your comment!

ps: Went to one and we had a "bar" in a cooler in our trunk. Most of the wedding party came out often. One person said that the bride wanted a large vodka. I directed them to the hotel bar.

I went to a dry wedding and actually had a lot of fun. We all knew it was going to be dry, so everyone prepared...probably a little too much. I felt like I was back in high school, ordering club soda and trying to discreetly pour vodka into it. Though in high school it was more like chugging smirnoff ice in the parking lot. Ugh my stomach hurts just thinking about it.

I've been to 2 dry weddings. Both were for religious reasons, both were nice weddings with short dinner and cake receptions. The "drinkers" were only a small handful of the guest list so most expected (demanded) dry. I didn't mind. a few of us went our to a bar afterwards (we were not about to let our pretty dresses and handsome dates go to waste.

Personally I don't cringe at dry weddings, I just hate when people try to make a dry wedding go all night long like a regular party.

I went to a self-catered, dry destination wedding wedding over Labor Day weekend last year. Terr-i-ble! Didn't eat any food, grabbed a cupcake as soon as possible and then immediately drove all the way home. Didn't even stay for the first dance.

Honest question here... why is the seemingly etiquette appropriate answer to all budget-related woes "cut the guest list"? If I was one of the "cut" guests you bet I'd rather have been invited to a dry wedding (or one without the fancy chairs, or steak, or whatever) than not been invited at all!

I feel like people are losing the main reason for a wedding: About bringing two families together.

It's not about entertaining the guests. It's not about having an open bar, or putting on a show. It's about bringing families and friends together to witness and be a part of something that is extremely important.

That being said: I am not having alcohol at my wedding. My fiance is a three year recovering alcoholic. Majority of his friends, he has met through A/A. In the almost 30 years of my life, I have never touched alcohol myself. Why is it this important? Why are people not capable of being happy, content, entertained, enjoyed, and together without the necessity for alcohol?

For those who are rude about it- That's plain absurd. "No alcohol at your wedding? I'm not going". Fine. You're not invited. You were asked to come be a part of something extremely important in their life. You were requested the presence of support for their big day. And if a liquid is what makes or breaks you- you're not worth it.

My wedding is dry. My venue is in a public park and it doesn't permit alcohol. Most of the people attending my wedding do not drink. I have a few drinkers like my best friend and my brother. They are coming to my wedding and don't have a problem with not drinking for a couple of hours. Yes my wedding is ending early and my reception is only 2 hours long. We are offering a nice dinner, nuts, mints, and real fruit smoothies made to order by a barista. The caterer is also offering lemonade, water, and coffee. My suggestion is if you do not want to offer alcohol then make sure you offer your guest something nice to drink. I spent $558 for 75 people to have real fruit smoothies made by a barista. Some cost saving options are a DIY Italian soda bar, cocoa bar, or have a ice cream truck stop by your venue. I don't know what feel your wedding is so I gave a few options. I have been to several dry weddings and I was fine with it. I go to weddings to celebrate the couple not what they can offer me in the form of food and drink.

I am actually doing a Dry Wedding and this is because for one my we are paying for our wedding just between us and 2, the place we are having the reception wont allow alcohol. so i do believe that a dry wedding can be done. IMO i do not believe that you should be required to supply alcohol for your guest to have fun. we are doing a decorating/rehearsal the night before on which we will be having beer. and they will possibly allow us to do a champagne toast. my wedding is not until oct. but i will let you know how it works out.

Since I have been of drinking age, I've been to one wedding where alcohol was served. And honestly I think I can only remember two others for the first 21 years of my life where there was alcohol at all. BUT that's my group of friends. My FH & I drink occasionally, but a lot of our friends don't at all. His parents don't drink and my mom is in AA. We have a super small budget and we are making the choice to not serve alcohol. We will also be having a reception with desserts only and we are planning for it to be short.

What I've noticed about dry weddings is that yes, they do tend to be shorter, and yes, they do tend to not get as "lively". However, they can still be fun! You just may want to think about another activity or two for your guests to participate in other than dancing... photo booths, lawn games, writing letters for your anniversaries, etc.

Maybe it's because I've been to so many dry weddings, but I never go to a reception thinking I DESERVE alcohol for being there. I go because I care about the couple and want to support them.

Having a dry wedding will change the energy and style of your wedding. It is also a good way to save money. And only you can be the one to decide if it's worth it or not.

I just did one myself. I loved doing everything, but it's very time consuming. Saved a fortune! I was still finishing the flower girl dress the day of while everyone was getting hair and makeup done. Any questions please ask!