Non-Alcoholic Alternatives

Why is he against it? I think it is important to let adults be adults and not monitor them. That's what you will have (hopefully) a bartender for.

No. Just have the alcohol.

His family has a history of substance abuse and the idea makes him really uncomfortable.

We don't drink much ourselves but, we knew that we had to serve some type of alcohol. we are having a day time wedding (11:30) so, we chose not to have full open bar (hard liquor) beer and wine only along with champagne. think about it and see.

No one wants "interesting" virgin drinks unless they're 9 years old. You need to serve alcohol.

Seconding Kate. Hire a licensed bartender- it's literally their job to cut people off. Also, if they over serve, it's their license on the line.

Don't punish everyone.

Have the alcohol. Talk to the people who are in recovery or sober for some time so that they are aware that there will be a hosted bar. Let them make the choice if they are comfortable. Don't punish the many for the few.

If you're talking about signature drinks or mocktails then I would say don't waste your time or money. I don't think people will care about their drink if it's non alcoholic.

People that have a problem abusing alcohol will find a way to abuse it whether you serve it or not.

If you're having an evening wedding you must have alcohol.

Otherwise have an afternoon cake and punch reception!

Please serve some kind of alcohol, beer and wine is always an option if you don't want liquor. It's rude to not have alcohol for your guests.

Hire a bartender, nothing to worry about.

Oh I went to a dry wedding that served signature mocktails. It was ridiculous to watch them shake a beverage that had no liquor in it. Just sayin'. They could have just had a dispenser with tea and lemonade and saved everyone the wait in line.

Don't feel pressured into having alcohol. You don't need it to have a good time. My fiancé and I are just doing a champagne toast. Then we have water, tea, lemonade, and coffee. Guests are not paying for the reception... so they really have no right to complain or judge. If they do, who cares... it's your big day.

Vivian- not trying to be rude but that really isn't a good excuse to not have alcohol. Weddings are events in which people spend hundreds (maybe thousands) to be at. They get all dressed up, give you a very generous gift, and most expect at least a glass of wine with dinner. There are users on here that are in recovery and even they still had alcohol at their weddings. Your FH doesn't have to drink it, but you need to at least offer it to your guests. If you're looking to cut costs on it, just beer and wine is acceptable or you can do a consumption bar, meaning you only pay for what is consumed, rather than a flat per person rate.

also @lori: rude and cheap. Yes they are paying to come to your wedding (in travel costs, hotel expenses, attire and your gift)

Wrong Lori. The ceremony is for you. The reception is for your guests and they should be properly thanked for attending said ceremony. Not to mention traveling and any gifts.

Unless your only guests are his family, you need to have alcohol.

I believe this is reason #7 on the top ten; " Our family has issues and we think that by not supplying it at the wedding, that will solve the problem.

It won't And the rest of your guests will be looking for wine, not Mock Pina Coladas. Why is is more important to cater to people who have issues (who, by the way, will find a way to drink) rather than host the vast majority of your guests well?

And no Lori; once you have one guest who wants a glass of wine? it is no longer "your day", but nice try. This topic comes up literally once a day, and inevitably 90% of the responses say to do a limited bar at least. And then there are two Lori's who think that adults really want to spend 8 hours at your ceremony and wedding with lemonade and mocktails.

They don't.

Agreed with most PPs. You need to have something. If they cannot control their addiction maybe they need more help.

People who have a problem with alcohol will be drunk before they get to your wedding. A bartender will cut off those who drink too much. I went to a family member's dry wedding once. All of my cousins were drinking beer from a keg in the back of a truck in the parking lot. If it is not a religious or cultural concern, you really should offer an alcoholic beverage option at the reception.

I would keep drinks simple with water, tea, lemonade, etc. I don't think it's necessary for non-alcoholic drinks to be super interesting.

It is not up to me to try to change your mind or understand how uncomfortable the idea makes him. We are also having a dry reception. I will not change my mind, and I will not judge those who choose to have or not have alcohol.

For reference, we are having a non-meal time reception to better accommodate people in the family who enjoy wine with lunch or dinner.