No Alcohol

Alcohol is generally considered good hosting at a wedding. It can also really help an evening wedding with dancing because most guests don’t know each other and weddings can be awkward for guests. Plus, some guests enjoy it.

That said, what about only providing beer & wine? Or if you’re really set on no alcohol, what about a dry brunch wedding? Both are great options.

I went to a couple of dry weddings- both due to religious and venue restrictions- and they were just as fun as those with an open bar.

We're not having alcohol due to my previous addiction and FH requested not to have it. Havent told anyone yet since we're trying to decide what to replace it with. We were thinking of having a game area in addition to a dance floor to kind of take the awkwardness away.

I'm not having alcohol due to benefits restrictions. We are going out for an agter party at the hotel we are staying at though.

This is kind of a know your crowd thing. Do your friends and family like to socially drink? Will they be fun and not awkward without alcohol? I have been to more dry weddings than weddings with alcohol and I can tell you some are just fine without and some you spend the whole reception thinking, "god. These people need to loosen up."

I think you should do what you and your FH are comfortable with. You don’t have to explain yourself to other people. You can offer ice tea, lemonade, even apple cider or hot chocolate seasonally!

I feel like this might come off as bratty towards your parents but if they think it's so strange not to serve alcohol, and they think you need it maybe they should pay for it, it's not like you guys will be drinking it. I would think your parents would be understanding of it since it's a medical thing.

View Quoted Comment Agreed. I rarely drink but I like to have the option for it. Unless the news is spread either word of mouth or written on the invitation guests will expect alcohol of some kind to be there wether you provide or through cash bar. Don't think it would be a deal breaker but one of those wish I knew ahead type things.

FH feels rather strongly about having a dry wedding. I'm a little nervous, but it's what he wants. We're being very upfront about it with our guests. We're serving unsweetened tea, punch, water, and soft drinks. We're toasting with Martinelli's.

I would recommend hosting an early ceremony and then a brunch. I was only at one dry wedding reception and that ended within an 1-1.5 hours it was boring and awkward. My fsil had a wedding and brunch and that was fine. No one was expecting to drink at 12pm

I’d go with a brunch wedding or make sure you had plenty of other activities and ice breakers. Hot cocoa bar, Italian soda bar, ice cream sundae bar, s’mores area, karaoke, board games, twister etc. I don’t drink but fh does and the crowd does. I left alcohol up to him, we’re serving beer and wine.
Know your crowd is great to consider and the vibe you want.

I dont think a dry reception is bad....alcohol isn't for every couple. I agree with PP, it's a know your crowd thing. Do you think they'd still have fun without it? You dont want to have a "blah" reception.

We did not serve alcohol. One, it helped keep costs down. But also, our reception was held at my husband's grandparents' house (church going folks). No one "needs" alcohol to have fun. Just go with a nice punch or sparkling juice. You could even do mocktails.

Our guest list is mostly family, and either a bit old to drink, or not old enough, those in the middle are not tame drunks so we figured mocktails might be more appropriate.

We're doing a dry wedding (this weekend). We're serving tea, water and lemonade. We have mentioned it to people in advance and honestly, we've gotten good feedback. "That's probably a good idea" "Alcohol is expensive" "I don't blame you" etc were some of the remarks. I think it's a know your crowd. The majority of our guests either don't drink or don't drink enough to justify me spending a few thousand dollars for a select crowd. I've been to complete drunk weddings and I've been to dry weddings. I'd rather have a dry wedding than a some people taking it too far and becoming obnoxious drunk.

My FH and I are both in Recovery so neither of us drink, but we decided to serve beer and wine for our guests!

Honestly, it is your wedding so whatever you want regarding alcohol is fine. However, as someone who has been to both kinds, dry weddings are SUPER boring unless you have a bunch of younger people who will get the dancing going. Games might be fun to have as well.

If you REALLY dont want/cant have alcohol, have an earlier ceremony and an afternoon reception. Most people won't expect it at that time of day, just feed them well and have a ton of non-alcoholic drink options and you will have a great day.

I think that maybe a cash bar would be good. People can buy their own drinks and you won’t have to worry about people getting too drunk and getting as many drinks as they want; however, it is your wedding and if people can’t be happy with what you provide, then maybe they shouldn’t be there anyway. Good luck and congrats!

I don't think there is anything wrong with a dry wedding, but if it is a dry wedding I will leave after the cake has been cut. I feel uncomfortable dancing without a bit of a buzz, and I wouldn't be interested in watching the bride and groom play games all night because that is boring. If you go this route, try and have it in the morning/early afternoon. Like ceremony at 11, reception from 11:30-2.

You could have a cash bar and then you wouldn't have to pay besides for the bartenders. People frown upon cash bar on here, but it's better for if your guests do want to have a couple. Or select beers and a signature drink and wine is easy enough. If you are totally against these ideas, there are people who do have dry weddings for religious regions, recovery, just staying away from alcohol, but the receptions are typically low-key.