No Alcohol Reception

My guests are a religious crowd, I am certain that they are not going to be pre-gaming or having a trunk bar. These people are very close to me and we know each other extremely well. They are also responsible people. If I say the wedding is a dry wedding, the aren't going to disrespect me by bringing their own and becoming belligerent. I am not sure why this keeps coming up.

Even responsible, religious people like to drink. Responsible, religious people can make bad choices too.

You're just grasping for excuses beyond the financial to justify a poor decision.

It happens all the time.

Wow my "very religious" family had a table of booze at my aunt's Friday afternoon wake. The food was amazing too. We went from the church service to the wake, to afternoon drinking and toasting as is customary, and this was a funeral. But you know "religious people.

I appreciate your input @MNA, but I am sure that you do not know my friends and guests, and while you can speculate on who they are, you truly do not know. You also do not know our financial situation, or where our money is going. We are providing significant financial help to many of our guests because they are important people that we want at our wedding. Your input is noted, and I am sure I would be more concerned about people if the crowd we were inviting were different. Your continued reiteration is not beneficial to me, or many other people I would imagine. Just know that I have noted your concern and your distaste.

ETA: I am well versed in Jesus' miracles. So I know that Jewish weddings often lasted multiple days with multiple gallons of wine. I am not saying religious people don't drink, but part of the bible says that just because something is permissible for you may lead your brother to stray, so you shouldn't do it. In this vein, I am also respecting some of my other guests who may be led to stray because of alcohol being present.

For peet sake this is YOUR wedding. If you cannot afford alcohol then don't do alcohol. I have been to numerous dry weddings and have had a lad. If people can't have fun without a drink than that's sad. This is celebration of your marriage, not just a free way people can booze. Can you imagine telling your cousin "id rather have beer than you at my wedding."? No...

@Melanie - If you cannot afford to properly host your guests, don't have them. A reception is a thank you for those who attended your ceremony. Treating your reception like a children's party is demeaning.

@lillian - I can see why you would think your bridesmaids are fine with it but the reality is if I were your bridesmaid I would say that to you too and then silently think that it was poor hosting. People don't want to hurt your feelings so keep that in mind and that they may not be expressing how they really feel. It's why a site like this provides so much insight to how people really feel about a dry weddings

Bahahahhaha "HOW DARE YOU?!" Omfg that was gold.

How dare we?? Because, 'Murica.

My bridesmaids are my closest consult that have a reputation of being honest with me, even if it isn't always what I want to hear, that is why I sought their insight. They are the most familiar with the crowd I am inviting, and are rational women. 3 of the 5 do not drink at all, so I trust them when they say that they wouldn't care either way. My avidly honest, and avid drinker father also said that he wouldn't care if there was booze or not, as long as there was good food.

FFS, BB, no one is rude except for the posters who are not properly hosting their weddings. If you do not wish to take into account the feelings of all of your guests and treat them well and host them as you would for any dinner party, then don't have guests, elope.

You do not need to invite every single family member to your wedding. You do not need to have 200 people at your wedding. If you ask most people here, they will tell you that a small, intimate, fully hosted wedding is the way to go.

However, if you choose to go against etiquette, be warned. People talk. You may not think that your friends will, but they will. Maybe not to your face, but they will talk. I used to work many weddings, and I heard about many faux pas that happened as a staff member.

For the ****th time..what is the point of making a thread and asking for advice if over 200 comments later you are not going to listen?!

We are financially supporting the entire wedding party and multiple family members. We would rather have my parents and siblings be able to fly out to the wedding than have alcohol. I am sorry if this concept is so far out of reach to understand for you. But, the bottom line is, we are choosing between having my family at the wedding or providing alcohol to guests (among other reasons). If this is poor hosting, then I guess I am just going to have to be a poor host so that my family can celebrate with me.

WHY are WE talking like THIS?

ETA not you Britt... I like you.

@Pia - You seriously just told a board of people that they were alcoholics because they want the option of a beer or a glass of wine at a wedding. As someone who spent most of her youth at Al-ATeen meetings, yeah, no.

Adults would like to go out to events like dinner and dinner parties and have the option of an adult drink. Not some sugar-arsed pop or juice.

Come on guys. We can all share our personal pros and cons for a dry wedding without name-calling or accusing everyone who drinks of being an alcoholic.

Yeah WWLynnie, you tell 'em!

If you're going to poorly host a party for your guests because you are broke, then get rid of the food! That's the most expensive part of any party.

Another idea is to not host a party for people when you're broke.

My original post was about suggestions for alternative drink ideas, not about whether or not to have a dry wedding. So for those of you getting upset that I am not "listening to advice", my original post was not about advice, but about creative drink ideas.

What if your ceremony and reception are in the same building and that building happens to be a church? I don't think it would be ok to serve alcohol in a church. Any one else have a different opinion?

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