No Alcohol at the Reception

What about a cash bar then people pay for what they want and you don't have the financial obligations.... also if Mom/dad/stepdad/stepmom cousin brother sister in laws or whoever can't get along with or without alcohol then maybe you should rethink their invite because they should put differences aside for your day! And if they can't handle alcohol advise them it's a cash bar and maybe they should limit themselves to make sure they keep their cool

Sigh

This is going to get interesting again

Sure. And how about charging people for the food they eat and the silverware they use and the chair they sit on? I mean, why I am paying for a bunch of other people's forks? Am I hosting a party or something?

I went to 5 weddings last year. One dry, 4 with alcohol. People only danced at 2 of them. One was the dry wedding. Two of them, including the dry wedding, I had to fly to, without a date, and only knew the bride and groom.

I personally don't drink. There will be alcohol at my wedding but I have never had a drop of it. At the two weddings where I literally knew no one, I put on my big girl pants, made friends with the people I was sitting with, and danced with random strangers just because of my appreciation for the bride and groom (and I hate dancing for the record). I had just as much fun at the dry wedding I attended by myself as I did the free flowing alcohol wedding I attended by myself, and just as much fun at the 3 weddings I attended with FH (which were big affairs with ETOH but no dancing). It doesn't have to be about the alcohol

And for the record, I've had couseling for social anxiety before, I am as far as extroverted as you can get

I could also dance, have fun and make small talk with strangers at a dry wedding but I know if alcohol was provided I would dance more, have good conversations with lots of people and ultimately have more fun.

Natalie it's reassuring that you have the social skills to get through a wedding with no alcohol and wouldn't need an excuse to leave a dry wedding early

Let's put it this way, I don't drink. Like let's say maybe 1 glass every 2 months in mt regular life and this includes going out or hanging around friends etc.

But at weddings, I am drinking because I want to party and celebrate and alcohol definitely makes me more loose! And I'm not talking getting trashed drunk, just enough to feel the buzz.

I guess I am an alcoholic too then lol.

I have no problem with alcohol. There will be alcohol at my wedding. I can't drink because I have a medical condition where I can't have alcohol under any circumstance. What I have a problem with is people saying they can't enjoy a wedding without it. Two of the major principles I live my life by are treat others as you want to be treated. Hence why I am properly hosting my guests. But I also believe e put others needs before your own, within reason (don't be selfish). If I attend a wedding where the couple decides they need to have a dry reception, I still love them and celebrate with then just the same. I wouldn't leave early because my need for alcohol was greater than their need for a dry wedding. Or to be more specific in my case, if they only offered soda when I only drink water, I'd still tough out the wedding.

@Natalie; you're RIGHT!

@Katie; you HAVE a financial obligation; it's called hosting adults.

@Kristen. Gold star for acting like and adult at a wedding and actually trying to mingle. No more stars for being sober at the time. And frankly, if I"m going to give up a weekend day (my work week, by the way) get dressed, travel and bring a gift? I don't want to 'tough out' your wedding.

It all comes down to cheap. As it always does. Being cheap is only a need when you over-invite.

I believe it depends on your crowd. FH and I enjoy going out for drinks but everyone we are inviting is family and older and does not drink at all. His stepdad is a preacher and a recovering alcoholic, my grandparents are preachers and don't drink. There will maybe be a handful of people there that drink, but they understand due to family circumstances and venue that we won't be having alcohol

ETA: the only guests that drink are the bridal party and we will be providing alcohol to them the morning of.

@FutureMrsHampton - why not have a consumption bar then? If not one drinks, then why not have alcohol for those who do drink?

Wow so the bridal party gets to drink while they get ready, then have their buzz wear off during the reception which is the most fun part of the day? Sounds fun.

We originally considered that but then future father in law (who is our preacher) stated that he would prefer us to not have alcohol at the venue. For one because it is his church and for two we still try to not have alcohol around him as he is still recovering. Both of our families are helping and neither side is comfortable with alcohol. We only have 2 friends each coming (wedding party) and they are the only ones that drink.

ETA: we are having an early afternoon wedding (due to everyone having to travel) but have arranged rooms and an "after party" with our bridal party to take them out for drinks and unwind.

Not everyone will agree but I truly do think it depends on your guest list and your situation. I do agree that you shouldn't go alcohol free just to be cheap...but I do understand some situations where alcohol is not something you want. You will hear pros and cons of both.

@FutureMrsHampton - I think given the information that you have provided it's fine. I think you took into account of everyone's needs and expectations.

Cash/dry bars got me like:

Alcoholism is fairly prominent in both my family and fh family. When we tell others we aren't having alcohol they act like it's the end of the world. People will have fun without alcohol, and they'll remember it! I've just made it clear that if they don't want to respect my wishes they are welcome to leave. They can have it at their wedding.

Congratulations Mrs. Hampton. You hit four of the top reasons.

It's still rude.

Cassidy, did you read any of the comments? Like the ones from people in recovery who are still providing alcohol?