No alcohol at wedding

We upgraded to the premium bar and made sure that they will also have the liquor that many of our VIP's drink on hand and ready to go. Full open bar and plated meal were our top priorities when searching reception venues. I have been to one dry wedding and even though I was pregnant at the time and drinking didn't matter to me I will always remember it. No one danced and the vibe was so somber. We left early it was so boring

Wow... it's entitled to not serve alcohol to the 1% of guests at my wedding that drink (that's it. 2 out of the 200 guests drink)? FH and I considered it. We decided we could host better without. Most of them have no problem with others drinking but have chosen not to for various reasons. Some have a family history- and consequently a genetic tendency- toward alcoholism and they choose to avoid the risk of becoming addicted. Some simply don't like the flavor of alcohol. Some are abstinent in support of friends trying to escape additction. 198 out of our 200 have chosen to be non-drinkers. To have alcohol at our reception, we would have to choose a much more expensive venue, as the church we are getting married at does not permit alcohol for weddings and is BY FAR the least expensive venue location. Between venue cost and the cost of alcohol I easily have an extra $2000 to spend on my guests' food. Probably more. 198 out of 200 will prefer that money go toward other things. How is it entitled to choose the wants of 198 over the wants of 2??

I'm having a daytime ceremony and a lunch time reception with kids present and I'm still having an open bar.

I'm letting adults be adults and drink what they want to drink.

I have only been to weddings with cash bars and one wine and beer for 2 hours. I don't drink wine or beer and my family doesn't drink, but my FH's does and so do our friends so we are having open bar. We also got a really good deal on it through our venue so that helped.

@Willbewilkins, that's a horrible reason not to serve alcohol. Don't be a cheapskate, have an open bar, atleast beer and wine. Also when people say "you do you" on this forum it's usually them being snarky.

Lindsey, those are poor excuses also. You can't afford it?! That's poor hosting on your part. All your guests are going to be talking about it BEHIND YOUR BACK!!!

I've been to over 25 weddings, and not one of them has been dry. But I live in Louisiana, so . . .

Never been to a dry wedding or cash bar wedding. Went to a wedding where open bar ended before people were ready to leave (11ish) but place cleared out pretty quickly afterwards.

We are doing beer and wine, champagne for toasting and will throw in a mixed sig drink or two.

Whatever Willbe......do a consumption bar. I'm sure when you see the bill you'll realize that there are more than "2 people" who drink.

As always, it's cheapness.

You've got some odd friends. I don't think I've ever been to a dry wedding.

@Willbe I'm an alcoholic in recovery. My wedding will have 6 hours of open bar.

Now you know...this is a hot topic on this forum! Of course posters here won't find you strange for wanting alcohol at your wedding.

We're having alcohol - trying to decide if it will be open or consumption.

ETA: words

@Jacks - Our venue requires us to purchase insurance that includes "host liquor liability" that would cover us from all liabilities.

Someone said their credit card limit isn't high enough to host premium liquor - YIKES!

Don't go into debt or overpay for a wedding based on the "etiquette" guidelines on this list. If you are hosting mostly religious guests who DON'T drink, don't have it. If your guest list is mostly made up of recovering addicts who could relapse if they are around alcohol, don't have it.

You know your guests. If you're going to put someone's health (including your own) at risk or alienate yourself from your family and friends, don't do it. Especially if the only reason you're having alcohol is because posters on this list say it's required.

I have never been to a dry wedding or a cash bar wedding. It is just not done in my circles. Obviously, my wedding was also full open bar. In fact, having a full open bar was a huge priority for us. We spent a lot of money on an amazing live band, so we wanted everyone nice and toasty to tear up that dance floor! By the way, we did have some people on our guest list who made me a little nervous they wouldn't be able to handle their booze, but we had licensed bartenders there, and had no problems at all!