Is it ok to have no alcohol at our reception?

I really don't get the link between drinking and religion. My grandfather was a Moyel for forty years, so a very important part of his conservative Jewish community. But that dude could and still can pound the Manischewitz.

Anyway, it sounds like you already KNOW people will have less fun without alcohol. Are you okay with that?

Delfina I also don't understand the link between drinking and being religious... I mean, Jesus turned water into wine AT A WEDDING.

This is the same for both my wedding and reception venue. My wedding budget is very small ($3500) so they fit within my budget, they are churches- which fit my Christ centric wedding theme, as well as my fiancé and myself do not drink.

Honestly though, I don't like how some members of my family act when alcohol is involved, it gets expensive quick, and I don't think you need alcohol to have a good time. Ignore the rule about having to have alcohol. The important thing is if you and your husband to be are happy with it-- it is a party to celebrate you two joining lives. I think people need to get over themselves and realize that weddings aren't to cater to the guests- they are to celebrate the couple.

Ok I'll get off my soapbox....

Holly, absolutely incorrect. The ceremony is for you and your FH. The reception is for your guests. If you do not want to host your guests properly, don't have guests. It is not okay to be rude to your guests by not hosting properly. News flash, these people are taking time out of their lives, traveling, buying a gift or giving money, possibly buying a new outfit, getting their hair/nails done, what have you. The LEAST you can do is treat them to a nice meal and appropriate beverages if your reception takes place during a meal time. Alcohol is included in that appropriate beverages category. Otherwise have a cake and punch reception at a non-meal time, cut your guest list to fit your budget, or elope. This is not that difficult of a concept.

Holly - As soon as you invite even one guest, you need to properly host them. The ceremony is about celebrating the couple. The reception is about thanking the guests for their support. That means providing a meal if it's at a meal time and an adult beverage. There are ways to host alcohol on small budgets. You can cut the guest list and/or provide only beer and wine.

I do not think it is a big deal. I have been to zero weddings where alcohol was served and I don't think I'm that much of a spring chicken either (meaning it's not because I'm so young). I personally believe a wedding is a reflection of the couple and about the couple.

If you really love the venue, I wouldn't give it up! I would put it on the invites just so people will know and you won't have to continuously say there will be none. I went to a wedding and I was disappointed that there wasn't any alcohol but you quickly let it go when there's nothing you can do about it. You don't go to a wedding for the alcohol. You go to a wedding because of another drug- love enjoy your day <3

I've been to 2 weddings were no alcohol was served. One was at a church and the other one was a Muslim wedding. It was not a big deal at either of them. Regardless of what a couple offers at their reception, I'm happy to be there and celebrate their love.

@Delfina-I don't get it either, my Irish Catholic family has alcohol at every religious occasion! I also bartended in the basement in many a church.

@OP, I agree with the others who say that a cake and punch reception is the way to go if you decide to go without alcohol, also keep in mind that it's going to be a short reception.

New venue if your wedding is at a mealtime. Otherwise, it's okay to have cake and punch for an hour and then go home.

No

If you absolutely can't give up your venue, then yes, I agree with everyone else that are actually correct, your only option is to have a short cake and punch reception between mealtimes. Otherwise, you have to find a new venue that allows alcohol. Having a dry wedding especially because the venue doesn't allow it is very poor hosting, especially since you implied that your family would want to drink. You cannot do that to them. And nothing like this goes on invitations or save the dates, ever.

Somethings may be free sometimes, but there's always a hitch to them, and they aren't always the best option. If you are using this venue to save money, then this isn't the appropriate area to cut costs.

Holly- wrong. The reception is a party you throw for your guests. That is why you send them invitations. It's not about you. You're the host. For fahks sake.

If you choose to go with this venue, it should be just a ceremony and a meal. Do not have a traditional 4 hour reception because it will be a waste and people will not want to stay that long. I do not think you should put anything on your invitation but you should spread the news through word of mouth because most people expect at least beer and wine at a wedding.

@Morgan wrote "I've always thought if people aren't going to show up to a wedding to celebrate with you simply because no alcohol is present". It is not about not wanting to celebrate but it does change things. I would not travel for a dry wedding, and if I was a local guest I would not want to stay at a 4 hour reception for a dry wedding. I would probably attend just the ceremony or stay until the meal was served and then leave.

If they don't allow alcohol, it's not the perfect venue. Keep looking.

My venue is cheaper than your donation to use your church and allows alcohol. I actually don't think that dry weddings are the atrocity that WW thinks they are but I also think people need to be realistic. If the majority of your guests drink and you're holding a night time wedding with a lot of dancing then you're probably not going to get the party vibe you're going for. Dry weddings only work with morning/early afternoon cake and punch receptions.

I've been to weddings in the church where no alcohol was being served. It was also a crowd that didn't care/don't drink anyways. I still had a great time. Up until my friends started getting married, no one served alcohol at weddings. I see nothing wrong with it if the crowd is right. I'm not really sure why there was such a shift towards alcohol is a must.

Well, I attended a wedding that DID have alchohol (CASH bar) and about 30 people left around 9PM before dancing even started. so, you may have a lot of people leave early.

And here we go again.....

Sky im sorry sweetie this will not go how you want it too.... 5, 6 ,7 pages of NO dont do this with about another 1% of the people saying its ok, do you!!!

This is why newbies need to lurk/research before posting.... Dont post for validation and keep your plans to yourself...

I have been to dry weddings, cash bar weddings, and open bar weddings.... I have never left nor has any other guests.... Ive also been to weddings with NO Music and still I didnt leave.... it doesnt matter to me that much BUT this is me and many many others do not feel this way.... about 99% of them on here lol....

The whole excuse that "we don't drink anyway or that much" is bull! Just because you don't doesn't mean your 100+ guests don't either. I'd be pissed if I showed up to a wedding without any form of alcohol. I may not drink a whole lot either but if one of my favorite drinks is served I'm all over it because it's FREE and alcohol makes me more social if I'm being honest. If I heard there was no alcohol I'd be bringing a bottle with me so be prepared for that to happen.