Is it ok to have no alcohol at our reception?

Will the venue allow a DJ? Is there a dance floor? Do you expect people to dance? I can't picture anyone in my family (including myself) busting a move without a little cocktail lubrication first. Suggestions for cake and punch or a brunch reception are definitely your most realistic bet for a really great time. You can do this, just do it the right way or move it elsewhere.

From what it sounds like, it's "the perfect venue" because it's free. Find a VFW hall or community center. They allow alcohol and will probably cost close to the same as your donation

UO my venue doesn't allow alcohol either. We chose it because its where we met. Our church. I know people expect alcohol at receptions but like the OP the venue is what we want. We are having a buffet style dinner and dancing (yes people do dance without alcohol being served) but we don't expect the reception to last 4 to 6 hours because of the absence of alcohol. Will people probably slip out and drink? Probably so. But our venue doesn't allow it.

I've been to dry weddings and had an ok time. But damn does a glass of wine make it easier.

Majority of adults enjoy a glass of wine with their dinner. Most adult social events include at least wine. Your guests may not complain to you because they love you. I promise when they are sitting through a long toast--they will be wishing for a glass of wine.

So unless you know that the great majority of crowd is religious and does not drink at all (which doesn't sound like your case), this venue is not perfect for your needs.

Edited: and for people who don't drink "often", weddings usually fall under the times they drink.

I was just at a wedding that was had one bottle of wine and a 30 pack of beer for about 45 people. Guests ended up leaving. It didn't really provide the party-like atmosphere the bride and groom(my cousin) were going for.

I have a very religious traditional family and trust me they can drink lol. I don't see the connection there.

Be a proper host to all!

Nope. Not okay.

Why not just have the ceremony there and then find a reception space that will allow you to properly host your guests? I wouldn't say I'd decline the invitation to the wedding if there were no alcohol, but I would for sure eat dinner and leave early and leave a lot less in the card I gave you. Then FH and I would head for the nearest bar with the rest of your guests.

@Kelsey H., no one truly gives a fuck about favors. Just don't provide them and put that money in your alcohol budget.

Kelsey what's going to happen when the alcohol runs out?

Sometimes these threads are confusing. The title of this one solicits opinions on a pretty hot topic: "Is it ok to have no alcohol at our reception?" Then, after reading the balance of the post, we realize that the OP has already made that decision: "We are using the venue regardless bc everything else is perfect."

OP, I'm not sure how you call this venue "perfect" (i.e., flawless) if the other words/phrases you used to reference it were, "the main hitch...we won't be able...how much of a negative impact...drinks would've helped...". What's perfect is the price -- you say "free", I say $500 -- and that's the part that directly impacts the two of you as a couple. What's not so perfect is the cocktail prohibition -- and that's the part that directly impacts your guests.

If you want to have a dry wedding, have a dry wedding, but after you express what you know is true -- that this is a negative in this perfect venue -- you go right to expressing your belief that guests should be there to witness your marriage and not to get drunk. Why do these "no alcohol" posts always go to that place -- the assumption that guests attend weddings to get drunk. You included yourself when you said that it takes both sides of the family a little time to come out of your shells, and the cocktails would have helped with that. So, it's safe to assume that all of you partake of wine or spirits when you go to weddings, so is that evidence of that fact that you wanted to get drunk at those wedding as opposed to witnessing the marriage of the couple? Of course not. The "drunk guests" rhetoric always comes off as a justification anyway, so I don't see why people keeping invoking it.

So, at the end of the day, you would like to know how to deal with the whole thing. I assume you mean advising your guests that this will be a dry wedding (since you've dealt with everything else). You don't put, "Alcohol Free Venue", "Alcohol Prohibited on Premises", or any other neon box around the lack of alcohol. You can let people know by altering the standard line that follows the ceremony information on the formal invitation from "Cocktails, Dinner, and Dancing Immediately Following" to "Refreshments, Dinner, and Dancing Immediately Following". I'd know exactly what that meant.

And then, you have your wedding, and be grateful that these wonderful people elected to celebrate with you -- and even if it isn't for the duration of the event, remember, they honored your wedding day with their presence (and presents).

I have been to plenty of weddings where no alcohol was served and it never bothered me. I was there to celebrate with the couple, not get drunk, I can do that on my own dime.

If you are fine with no alcohol being at your wedding then your guests have to be fine with it as well it's your day and it's what you want! But I would probably list it somewhere on the invite so people know ahead of time.

Unless you want cake and punch reception only, find another venue. I have never heard of a church that does allow any kind of alcohol.

Early wedding unless your heart is set on an evening one... I grew up in avery religious town and I wouldn't give it a thought.

Is this your church?

For everyone saying "it's your day, do what you want!", please for the love of all that's holy, truly think about how utterly dumb and nonsensical that is.

It's not your day. It's everyone's day and your sharing a celebration. The reception is to thank your guests for coming. It shouldn't be any old Tuesday. And God knows, when I have friends or family over, I give them free unlimited drinks.

This is basic hosting 101.

@LizJ, absolutely not. Your post screams entitlement, and it's not a good look

I enjoy drinking alcohol (at weddings and at other times), and would have no problem attending a dry reception, especially if I was advised in advance. I would appreciate a line on invite that due to venue restrictions no alcohol will be served.

Know your guests! If they would expect alcohol at an evening wedding and be disappointed, consider changing your venue or doing an early afternoon ceremony/reception. If they are not drinkers and your social/family circle frequently has dry weddings, then could be fine to stick with an evening wedding.

I don't think I'm a newbie after being on WW for almost 4 months, but I could be considered wrong by other people's standards. You've made it clear that you love this venue. Telling you to change your venue so people can drink is pointless because it's not going to happen. Will some people leave early? Sure. Will some people stay the whole time? Sure. Rachel's wording seems best to me. Personally, FH and I are having a dry wedding. Not because of religion, but that's no one's business outside of our guests. We are having a cake and punch reception because we want everyone to get home at a decent time for church or work the next day and because it's a dry reception. Ultimately, humans need water, food, shelter, clothing. Alcohol is simply a want.

If your guests decline because of the lack of alcohol and not accept sharing your day with you, maybe they are as good friends as you thought.

No alcohol is perfectly acceptable. People might say something at first, but if it's due to the venue no one will be angry for that reasoning