Fun ideas for sober receptions

If you would like accommodate everyone you could begin with a few special “mock tails “. No alcohol but it’s not used tea and water. Aside from games if you want people to dance hire a great dj and control the atmosphere with lighting. If you make the environment conducive to a party atmosphere most people will forget it’s a dry wedding.

Lots of great game suggestions. A good dj company can help with some interactive elements.

We are also going to be having a dry wedding! I love to see other people doing that too. I feel less out of place 😂 i think good food and music will bring everyone together! And the fact that your getting married!! You can pintrist wedding games and try some of those! They have some fun looking ones.

Lounge area for people to hang out, fun non alcoholic drinks, lawn games, good DJ. We have having a little fire pit for marshmallows.
Also if you have a mostly people in recovery crowed they are going to be over the moon to be a part of a sober wedding. Don't worry.

View Quoted Comment Thanks for sharing 💚
I am totally in agreement.
We have found a new freedom! And for that I am so grateful.

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This^ all this!! rule #62

I'm literally obsessed with your description of "you do you" takes on etiquette ❤️

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I don't think it's too much to ask for people to just be nice and being nice is sometimes forgotten on WW. I know you can't control how people post, but if they want to have a dry reception that is their personal choice. She is just looking for ideas.

OP, maybe try to look into some live entertainment? A really cool band would be awesome at a wedding reception! Or some unique entertainers would be cool too, if you're having any sort of themed wedding! You might want to consider having a shorter reception too, a lot of people aren't willing to stay and party late without alcohol involved lol.

I think a brunch reception with yard games would be fun!
I also like the idea of a pancake/waffle bar, fancy coffee bar, ice cream bar etc.

I’m a fan of alcohol myself, but I would still be excited for a wedding like that even if it was dry
It’s good you’re giving your guests a heads up!

View Quoted Comment Hahaha, thanks! It just drives me crazy. Wanting to only hear that what you're doing is amazing and everyone is going to love it just sets people up for disappointment.

As PP's have suggested, brunch weddings sound great and I loved the pic of the make your own soda bar! I'd be wary of adding too many games and activities, as those are usually for showers and outside of that can be too kiddie birthday party.

View Quoted Comment During well-hosted events where I come from, alcohol is not welcome. It is not welcome in our home, or at family events or social events in our social circle. Not only do my FH and I not want alcohol at our reception, it would also offend our guests if alcohol was present.

View Quoted Comment Where are you from?

I have never hosted an event without alcohol. We have alcohol at every big event. I never knew alcohol was offensive to an entire culture?

You do you! We debated a dry wedding, since a few of our guests are alcoholics. Growing up, my mom was one. I still get really uncomfortable around drunk people. We ended up deciding to serve beer and wine, but I definately sympathize with you. Its so sad that some people thing booze is necessary to have fun.

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Do they not even go to restaurants then? or sporting events? I don't see how a person can lead a functional life and not EVER be in the presence of alcohol.

View Quoted Comment She said she doesn't do a lot of things because airborne alcohol makes her naseaous. I asked the same thing

View Quoted Comment I don’t know. I am not this bride I’m referring to. I can’t find the post, but I think she actually put something on the invitation.

I’m not defending a dry wedding, I think that is horrible hosting. I’m just saying that if for some reason the bride could become ill being in the same room as it, that is one of the few sufficient reasons for a dry wedding. The other one is if the reception is in a church where alcohol is not allowed.

Don’t worry, we’re having open bar for our entire cocktail hour and reception!

View Quoted Comment I am having alcohol at my wedding. But it is very surprising, even disturbing to think how people think you can't have a good time without alcohol. To think "well hosted" has to include alcohol is mind boggling.

View Quoted Comment Rules of etiquette say that a well-hosted should have alcohol whether or not the host partakes in the imbibing either way. Its not "disturbing" or "mind-boggling" that couples look into etiquette before hosting their first event as a married couple.

Save for couples that are in their recovery that they can't be around alcohol and airbourne-alcohol allergies, I can't see any reason why a couple would choose to deprive their guests of drinks.

I do think it's very important to let guests know it's a dry wedding. People so frequently say they wouldn't care, because they're there because they want to celebrate the couple- but my very best friend got married 3 weeks ago. It was a dry wedding (no announcement) and it was 4 hours away, so we also needed to book a hotel. Literally the worst wedding I've ever gone to, and I was pissed when I was checking out of my $200 hotel room the next morning. Obviously we told her it was a beautiful event, and we're so glad we could take part- but honestly we were twiddling our thumbs waiting to leave. They also had no DJ, or any type of entertainment.


I would NOT have complained if
1. I was notified beforehand it was a dry wedding
2. The reception was shorter- it was a 5 hour reception, which seemed unnecessary for the lack of things going on
3. There was any form of entertainment. Caricatures are so fun, photo booths are great, both would take up a nice amount of time- but if your wedding is during nice weather maybe corn hole could be fun. I wouldn't want to do something too active, as I'd likely show up to a wedding in dress and heels, unless otherwise informed.
4. Food throughout the night (they also didn't have cake to share- they passed around a cookie tray) PP's mentioned an ice cream bar, that would be a really cool addition in my opinion, and would probably entice me to stay later into the night. We're having a bon fire after our reception, but to get more guests to join us were having a fireside s'more bar!

Good luck with your planning 😊

View Quoted Comment It’s not disturbing. It’s an expected part of a well hosted event. Just like if you invited people over to your house from 5pm-10pm, they would expect dinner or some sort of food to be served.

People can have fun without alcohol, but it’s expected at this caliber of party.