Dry Weddings

A dry wedding is your choice. As you have realized already some people will not like that option. Be prepared for the rude comments and some people deciding not to attend your wedding. You can decide not to comment back, or you can think about perhaps having one or two alcohol options like wine or sangria, which can be bought or made for less then $1.00/glass.

Personally, when we first started talking about the wedding, one of the few things that FH insisted upon was having alcohol. Even if it had to be a dollar or two bar, we were going to have alcohol and cheap or free for our guests. We are actually having an open bar. This does not make us alcoholics, but people who want to provide our guests with the best experience possible.

In all honesty, I doubt anyone is going to change this bride's mind, and that's fine.

I'm actually the drinker in the house- my FH has never had alcohol of any kind because of his own family issues. Do people give him crap about it? Yup. Does he care? Nope.

Well everyone, thats the consensus we've come to. If you're going to serve alcohol to people who probably shouldn't be drinking it, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure they're safe in doing so and make sure that they arrive to their next destination safely. I think we can all agree with that.

Wow... this thread is nuts! I'm trying to catch up befor posting but it seems I just can't catch up. Here are my 2 cents... I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion and is entitled to have whatever wedding they want to have. I do agree with Glenn and Shannon though... if you're already getting rude comments from guests (which is completely unacceptable btw), then that's a good indication that they are unhappy with your decision of having a dry wedding. Cont.

Read the rest of what I said, that's 40 out of 150 is just the bridal party and their spouses, add in my family (another 30-40) and my work and other friends who aren't in the bridal party (another 20 or so) and now we are talking 90-100 of the 150. Plus the part of my FW's friends whom I've asked or watched what they order/drink when out (another 20-30). So pretty much everyone has had a say SOMEHOW in the liquor being served.

I am one of those people that needs a drink to losen up and have a good time. It was thanks to alcohol that I got up on stage and sang like a virgin in my wedding dress after our reception. If you want to have a dry wedding... more power to you. BUT you will need to grow some thicker skin because the more your guests find out it'll be a dry wedding... there more reaction you're going to get.

Mrs. Montoya, I will disagree in the sense that on this forum people have stressed so much about the guest and putting down the bride and her decision for her day. We will have 200 people at our dry reception, and as much as I want them to enjoy themselves which they will...I will not stress out on trying to please all and follow "tradition". It is my day, and I will only do it once.

If I ever need critical advice, I know where to get it from. Thank you WW friends! In all honesty, it really does help to hear the opinions of strangers though. Just a thought.

Ok so what if this bride that is asking the question has the opposite in her family...meaning the majority does not drink...then she should have a dry wedding...no?

When I planned my reception I put a lot of thought into making my guests as happy as I could with the budget I had. I only spent $300 on my dress because I wanted an open bar. I made sure any vegans or people with allergies were taken care of. I went back and forth on the menu and appeatizers because I wanted my guest to enjoy the day with me, not just show up and bask in the wonderfulness that is me.

You know what? My guests were very generous and are still talking about what an awesome time they had at our reception.

They reception is for your guests, when will people realize that?

Well if you feel alright with your choice than that is you... and I am sure your friends and family know to expect that mentality. I personally could not feel good about myself or my wedding knowing that I was having a dictator like attitude and not accomadating my guests. But I am a huge people pleaser...

The only "putting down" there has been is to tell her she is a bad host if her friends and family want to drink and she doesn't provide it. And since her guests are having a negative reaction to it, I think they want to drink.

It's entirely up to them, I can only speak from how I would react, I know that people who don't drink are more likely to be ok with an open bar than those that do drink will be ok with an open bar. I've said it before but if your guests don't drink for whatever reason you shouldn't serve booze, but the OP is getting comments already about how a dry wedding is going to suck so I can't really see how having a dry wedding is an acceptable ideal in that case. She hasn't given anymore details either.

See open forum = lots of opinions. It doesn't make one or the other right or wrong. It's a matter of your own preference. Yes I'd like to think that we all try to take the guests into consideration as we plan, but for some it won't fit in the budget for the alcohol or the food choice. I thought the purpose of a wedding is to celebrate with the bride and groom, not be pissy if your wants (and that of over 100+ others) were not met.

This debate could go on and on with all of the thoughts and opinions.

For me the purpose of throwing a wedding (instead of just eloping) is to thank my guests for taking the time out of their lives to celebrate with us. With that in mind I am doing all I can to make sure they are happy.

Glenn that I can totally agree with!! But we will not be able to make everyone happy. It's just not possible.

Sure, it's not possible to make everyone happy, but I'm still going to do everything I possibly can to try.

Angela some people on this forum have made it pretty clear they don't even care to try. I think some people would be better off eloping, but wait of then they won't get gifts and I feel that is really the only reason some want to have the reception.

Mrs. Montoya, family and friends know that I like to have a good time, and want them to as well. Someone has to dictate when you have 200 family and friends attending an event. If I were to send out invites saying "I plan, I pay, you attend" then I would question my own sincerity to my family and friends but that is not the case.

I just think that the couple should be happiest on that day and I don't think they should have to apologize for wanting to be happy on that day.

I'm definitely NOT saying you should not take your guests wants or needs into consideration but, I don't think you shouldn't do anything you are uncomfortable or pay for things you can't afford to please people.

I've seen people spend thousands of dollars on weddings, inviting everyone they could, having the best food and drinks, and go home to nothing. That doesn't make sense to me.

I think some tough decisions have to be made and this just one that some brides have to come to. They actually suggest this in a lot of bridal magazines to cut cost and still have a nice day.

However, to each their own.