No Alcohol Reception

So what if your wedding is in BFE? Buy some kegs, some cases of wine and call it a day.

Your wedding sounds like a sweet 16, and will be over early. You'll also be liable for everyone that brings their own alcohol since you insist on a dry wedding.

To clarify, our venue requires we hire a bartender that will come out to be about $400, without the alcohol.

Ewwww sparking grape juice fountain. Fuck no. If you can't afford to host your guests you can't afford a wedding

OP, the money excuse isn't a good one IMO because you can cut other places in order to properly host your guests. Seems like you want to have a wedding outside of your means and are letting your guests suffer for it.

Having a dry reception insures that guests will be sneaking it in. I've been to a dry reception, the crowd was mid 20's on up to the grandparents. The brides family was sneaking in alcohol and the reception was over by 7.

I've also been to a reception with a cash bar (even pop and water had to be bought) I was 8 months pregnant and didn't bring cash because I didn't expect I'd have to buy water!

Provide for your guests properly, please,

@Lillian, everyone who serves alcohol should hire licensed bartender. That isnt really an unexpected or unreasonable expense. You are also hopping all over the place as to why you arent serving alcohol. If your guests are big drinkers, how would drinking and driving be an issue?

Trust me, at our wedding, even the non-drinkers had at least one alcoholic beverage. It's a wedding, people want good food and booze. Without that foundation, people tend to not have much fun.

Your guests aren't going to think 'how courteous of Lillian to worry about us driving home drunk from her middle of nowhere reception!' They're going to think 'we drove all the way out here and can't even get a glass of wine?'

No alcohol and no DJ --this basically just sounds like a dinner ...which still usually includes the option of alcohol!

And your guests are adults! They know how to control themselves. And you still havent answered what BFE means after like 4 people asking.

There's no replacement for alcohol.

Please know the difference of being considerate and people offering differing opinions. 1) You can't tell us who to post. It's the internet. You're going to get anything and everything. 2) Just because people are telling you your idea is bad because it doesn't properly host your guest, doesn't mean they are being inconsiderate.

This all comes down to one thing, as always (and hint hint; it's not 'the situation).

Cheapness, overinviting and cheapness.

The only way to properly host your guests without alcohol is to have an afternoon cake & punch reception. This should also take care of your budget concern.

$400 isn't a large expense to properly host your guests. Cut people off your guest list or find a new venue that allows you to account for at least some amount of alcohol.

When I joined this site, I was really surprised how against everyone was about a dry wedding. I was planning an open bar myself anyways but I didn't see the big deal if it was a cash bar wedding but then as I thought about it more, it clicked - I would never invite someone to my house and not offer them a drink so why would a wedding be any different? Offering alcohol (even wine and beer only) is considered being a good host so I would encourage you to consider doing it for your wedding and finding other areas to cut back

Our guest list is already very minimal. We are not "over inviting"

My mom never drinks, not even socially. There was no alcohol in our house growing up. She still somehow convinced the bartender to let her do a shot at my wedding! It was great!! Even non drinkers may have a drink or two for a special occasion.

$400 can be found by cutting in other areas of your budget.

You will be liable if your guests sneak in alcohol (which they will if it's a dry wedding) and then you'll be held responsible for any damages since you didn't have a licensed bartender there to serve.

None of these reasons excuse not having an open bar. If you truly can't do that, a cake and punch reception is the way to go. It'll be short & sweet, but properly hosted.

ETA: added some words

Inevitably every OP who posts looking for validation on their decision to have a dry wedding gets all upset because people are being mean.

Honestly, I swear to you, it's for your own good. People are trying to help. We want you to have a great, fun wedding that your guests will enjoy.

I know you think you are the exception (because everyone does) but you're not.

Will your wedding be dull and sad without alcohol? YES

Will your guests feel salty that you chose to spent money on either things and forego alcohol despite them spending money to travel and give you a nice gift? YES

If you do provide alcohol will your guests get belligerently drunk? NO

Save up from now and until November and offer beer and wine. You will not regret it.

OP, I would first get quotes for other bartenders, I live in Los Angeles, an expensive area for all things, especially weddings and bartenders... My Licenced bartender is charging $30 an hour.

How about serving pitchers or from a glass beverage dispense (you can buy them cheaply online) of inexpensive sangria (use inexpensive wine, fruit, OJ, Club soda,etc) and or mimosa (inexpensive champagne and OJ)

I think that would be a good compromise and not that expensive.

OP - If you refuse to do a cake & punch reception, then have a longer engagement so you can afford to properly host a dinner reception. FH and I will have had a 2 year engagement so we can properly host 160 people with an open bar and dinner.