Should alcohol be served if the groom is underage? What is the etiquette?

You serve alcohol. There really shouldn't be any question about it. Obviously your groom won't be able to partake (legally, anyway), but that doesn't mean that your of-age guests should suffer because of it.

My opinion is it doesn't matter the age of the bride/groom. I would still go ahead and have alcohol for your guests that would enjoy drinking it.

I'm not having any at my wedding because I'm underage. Some of my family already knows but most don't. Everyone is supportive and will understand that it's your day

If you want alcohol there have it there. Don't base it on your FH's age.

View Quoted Comment Thanks! That’s what I figured, just didn’t know if there was going to be issues with the Venue or weird laws. It’s probably a really silly question but thank you!

Whatever you guys want, is best! I don't see a problem with serving alcohol if the groom is 20, especially if most your guests are 21+. But in this scenario, I'd think a cash bar would be better than if both the groom & bride were over 21.

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A cash bar is never ok under any circumstances.

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Underage guests attend weddings all the time- young family members, flower girls & ring bearers, etc... As long as none of them are drinking, there should be no issues.

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Guests should never be asked to open their wallets at a party thrown to thank them for attending the wedding ceremony.

@OP- You can still serve alcohol even if the groom is under 21. Guests who are old enough to drink should be penalized because one of the hosts is not of age.

I would do whatever YOU and your fiance want to do and are comfortable with. It's your wedding, not anyone commenting on this thread!

Do a cash Bar option, this way if your guest want alcohol they can purchase it on their own and it keeps cost down too. You and your fiance could share a bottle of Martinellis for your own glasses. Also this helps is ego😉 as he's not old enough to have to a glass of wine.

Kind of important but I forgot to mention, both my father and the father of the groom are alcoholics. Would this change anything?

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Nope! Again, the rest of your guests shouldn't have to suffer because someone else has a problem, whether that problem is being underage or a dependency. Do your fathers go out to restaurants for dinner? Those restaurants aren't dry, so your wedding shouldn't be either. They'll just have to manage like they do in any other scenario where alcohol is being served.

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^^^^^^^ This advice right here

View Quoted Comment If they are sober I would ask both of them privately if they were ok with it being served. I'd they are not sober then that is a "know your crowd" question. And in some states if someone is under age but married to someone over 21 then the spouse that is under age can legally drink in the presence of the of age spouse.

A bartender should be able to cut anyone off who's had too much. You could at least host a modified bar, where beer and wine and maybe a signature drink are offered to the guests. That's usually a good medium.

My opinion is that the groom's age doesn't matter. I would serve alcohol. He just can't have any. Do not base your decision not to provide for your other guests based on the fact that two of them are alcoholics. Ultimately, its your wedding. You guys have to make the decision that is best for you.

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I don't disagree that each couple ultimately must make their own decision - that is obvious. However, please remember that this bride actually ASKED for input. If she knew what she wanted to do and what she was comfortable with, the question wouldn't have been posed to the WW group. Her question didn't sound like she was leaning one way or another. Just because you don't personally agree with each response doesn't mean they shouldn't be considered by the one who ASKED for input.

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I was more trying to be positive, and let her know that if she doesn't have a bar for whatever reason, guests won't physical "suffer" like what can sometimes be implied with dry wedding questions. My earlier comment already mentioned having a bar might be a good idea if they can afford it.

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Will they physically suffer? No of course not! Will it affect the atmosphere of her party? Absolutely.

At the bottom line - the point was you should NEVER ask your guests to open their wallets at a party you are throwing to thank them. So a cash bar was a bad suggestion.