No Alcohol @ Reception

You can't control what people do, just be at peace with that. People are going to do whatever the eff they want to do and putting a note on your invitation isn't going to stop them. You aren't having alcohol at your wedding so just leave it at that. If you keep worrying about who is going to show up drunk you're going to rip all your hair out before you walk down the aisle.

If your guests will RSVP through email or a wedding website, I would send an email to all of them explaining that it will be a dry reception. It's true that people don't read websites (nobody is reading mine, lol), but I bet they do read emails.

OR you could just not say anything about the bar or alcohol. It is unlikely that someone will ask. Most invitations say Reception to follow and are not specific about alcohol being served. If they don't know up front they are less likely to have planned ahead to bring their "car bar."

I don't think that you need to mention that you event will be dry. Your guests should be coming to celebrate y'alls union. You can simple put on the wedding website that "outside alcohol is not allowed on the premises". That takes care of it, IMO.

we aren't having alcohol either. We are having an afternoon wedding and it would be a waste of money!

I honestly would just put in an insert exactly what you said. You're having a dry wedding and your reception will be terminated by the venue if any alcohol is brought on the premise.

Okay, so don't lie to your guests and say that it's a dry venue.

Honestly, don't even say anything. If you tell people it's a dry reception, some will bring alcohol. That's just reality. Telling them not to won't stop the people who already planned on it. But it might give someone the idea to do it that hadn't previously thought about it.

...the edited post was totally unnecessary.

What Lucy said.

eta - AND EMMY!!!!!!

I'm, like, 90% sure that if your venue sees somebody with alcohol in the parking lot they're going to give you or somebody a chance to remedy the situation by politely reminding the people that you can't have outside alcohol on the premises before they go apocalyptic and yank your deposit or shut you down.

Also, weddings I have been drunkest at = dry weddings. Because you have to get your alcohol down in a short amount of time in car bar. Just sayin.

Okay, you're having a dry wedding. Actually, your clause is not unusual. It's pretty standard whether you choose a dry wedding or an open bar wedding. I'm not judging your reason for having a dry wedding, but I am curious. Most of your family members don't drink. No problem there. You don't drink. No problem there. Others have suffered long term injuries due to drunk drivers -- that's where I'm confused. Does this mean that they are triggered by the presence of alcohol or that it offends them, or are you precluding alcohol in honor of them? I'm just a trying to follow your reasoning. I still think it would be easier and less risky to offer something to those few (and it sounds like it's just a handful) who you believe my take it upon themselves to drink in the parking lot and have your reception shut down. I guess you have two options -- don't invite them or trust them not to caught. I still can't get my head around an invitation that speaks about alcohol prohibition. However, it's your day, your decision. Best of luck.

Also, if the concern is truly about avoiding drunk drivers, you are ahead of the game to use the venue's bartender, who is legally obligated to cut anybody off who seems drunk. You're actually reducing the chance of somebody getting drunk and driving by offering controlled liquor instead of setting up an uncontrolled liquor situation.

My sister had a dry wedding and her wedding was pleasant and exactly what she wanted.

I agree with the comment saying to not advertise that it is dry, if you don't bring it up and people don't think about bringing anything then you will be fine. Don't make a big deal about it and there won't be a big deal. Will people leave early to go drink? Probably. You just plan to be ok with that.

I agree with everyone saying don't say anything. If you don't tell anyone it's dry they won't think to bring anything, it wouldn't occur to me that a wedding wouldn't have alcohol and I wouldn't just randomly show up with beer, but if you told me it was dry my trunk would be packed

First of all, why are you yelling at us? I am so confused as to what pissed you off? Anyway, there is nothing wrong with having a dry wedding but I don't believe in telling adults what to do, especially in the PARKING LOT! If you want everyone to follow your rules, you shouldn't invite people. That is the bottom line. Regardless of what you choose to say to your guests, they will do whatever they want! It is illegal to have open alcohol in cars, but do people follow that rule knowing that they MAY go to jail for it and get fined thousands?? NO! So, you putting something on your website or inserts in your invitation will not change anything. Sorry but it is the truth. Say what you may but don't expect everyone to listen.

I wouldn't even say anything. My invites don't say "Alcohol will be served at the reception" so yours shouldn't have to say "Alcohol will not be served". When guests show up, they'll know. If they're not big drinkers then a couple hours without alcohol shouldn't phase them. If they don't like it, they'll leave. Nothing you can really do either way.

Have any police friends? Pay them $50 to "provide security" in the parking lot for a couple of hours. Would be cheaper than the $400 fee or the embarrassment of the venue coming in and making a scene. Other than that, I agree with most everyone else that its hard to stop adults from doing what they want to do.

Be honest, but be prepared for people not to follow directions

I won't have alcohol at all at my wedding and everyone knows that. Most of the people I associate with don't drink. They also know it is not allowed AT ALL at the venue. If that were to cause people not to come then good! If they aren't going to come just because there's no alcohol then that is stupid. Just like a couple "shouldn't expect gifts" guests should expect alcohol. There's too many expectations for a wedding that I think are so stupid. I don't care what anyone says about what I have said, it just really think it's stupid.

And Diana, just post signs up in various places (where they are in plain sight) and try spreading it by word of mouth. If everyone understands that them having their own alcohol could get you kicked off the premises, then I think you're fine.

Plain talking? If you really, truly believe that your reception could be shut down over parking lot drinking, then why aren't you just paying the $400 to the bartender and purchasing a few bottles of whatever for the handful of guests who could cause your reception to implode? If, for your stated reasons, you are morally opposed to that option, then why are you even inviting these people? Pay or don't invite. Those are your two best options. Otherwise, hold fast to your stated standards and realize that all of these people -- the non-drinkers and all of those family members with other family members who are now suffering with life changing injuries due to drunk driving following weddings -- those individuals who don't want alcohol, but who made the effort to attend your wedding -- could be tossed out of a reception that was stopped because a handful of your guests were drinking in the parking lot (something you assumed might happen). There's no question as to how I would handle this. Nobody would shut down my reception and send my guests home -- not over $400 and a few bottles. Nobody. Sorry if I sound harsh, but I just don't get it.

So... I would suggest having a earlier afternoon reception, or even a breakfast/brunch reception. People are less likely to want a cocktail. Im not gonna lie, if its a Friday or Saturday night reception...inthe typical format of dinner and a dance, I would leave after dinner because i wont dance if idont hve a few drinks first.