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A previous thread implied that all weddings everywhere have alcohol and it is bizarre to not have it for any reason. However I do know that many religions forbid it, whether on the church premises or not, and others may not like the taste or they may be recovering alcoholics who don't want the temptation around. Serving only non-alcoholic beverages is not rude or strange, contrary to popular belief. Also, those who don't drink are not bores either (some may be but that doesn't mean every single one is and thus should not be lumped into the same group).
No, I have never been to a dry wedding. And unless it was a brunch wedding we prob would leave really early
I have been to several of these. i dont drink alcohol and many in my circle dont either
the notion that here must be alcohol for ppl to have fun is bizarre to me.. but each to his own
I haven't been to one... yet. I'm going to one later this month. But there will be champagne for the B&G to toast only.
I understand they don't want the added cost and restrictions that come with it, but I find it the slightest bit tacky that they get to toast. That's the only part that bothers me about it.
But I'll get over it. :)
nope...havent yet...although I would prefer to have alcohol...it wouldnt stop me from going...but like mishelleez said...I probably wouldnt stay till the end...unless it was a daytime wedding
never been to one... and im not much of a dancer without alcohol... so no alcohol for me = no dance = not staying very long...
I haven't been to one and hopefully won't have to go to one - While it wouldn't keep me from going to the wedding, I'd prefer alcohol..sorry but I like me some vodka!
Maybe you should make a poll?
I have attended only one wedding without alcohol. There was only cake (which I don't eat). I don't even remember if there was punch. It was pretty awful and we just stared at each other. (I'm not exaggerating, although I think even if there was alcohol it wouldn't have made the wedding fun).
Yup - I've been to a couple. One was held at night (at 7 maybe? it's been a couple years) and they did a punch/cake reception afterward. It was lovely. I believe the couple's religion didn't allow for drinking or dancing, but we stuck around for a couple of hours and mingled. It was nice!
The other wedding had some strange elements (like the groom hiding before the ceremony because he wasn't sure if he wanted to go through with it or not!!), but the lack of alcohol wasn't a problem. It was an afternoon wedding, with sandwiches and salads and cake, and we were served sparkling cider. Again, lovely.
Honestly, I've only been to one wedding with a fully open bar and that was in the last year or so - the rest have either been "dry" or have had various limits on the alcohol (drink tickets, a small number of wine bottles on the tables, etc). It's never been an issue for me - I figure people make decisions based on their budgets and beliefs, and I'm fine with that. "Wedding" doesn't automatically equal "alcohol" in my mind.
I've never been to a wedding without alcohol. Not that I wouldn't attend one that didn't have any, though.
I've never been to a totally dry wedding, but if there were other fun things to drink (coffee, teas, fancy soda etc.), I doubt that it would bother me or that I would even notice.
For me, I've never been to any kind of party without alcohol. It is not that one "must drink to have fun." It is more that among people I know it is the normal thing to provide when entertaining, along with food, water, soft drinks, plates and napkins.
I've never been to a wedding without an open bar, so no, never been to a dry wedding. Ironically, I can no longer drink alcohol for health reasons so it doesn't matter to me one way or the other. But back in the day, I would definitely have missed my cocktails.
I have never been to a wedding without an open bar. Never been to a dry wedding. Not because I'm avoiding it, I've just never been invited to a wedding without alcohol! Would I miss my cocktail? Yes. Would I still have an awesome time at the wedding? Probably! :)
ETA: I kind of have a problem with the way you worded the poll. I would notice that there was a reception without alcohol, so I can't honestly choose "I wouldn't miss it if it wasn't there", but I also don't think that I can't have fun without it like your first option suggests......
It's more common to have alcohol at a wedding cuz most people want satify theyre guest and actually have a party. My FI and I are still trying to decide if we want a dry wedding. Not cuz we don't drink but cuz we don't want any drama and there are people on both sides we don't want drinking cuz of their health.
Alcohol or not, I fine it rude to leave early just cuz theres none. You might as well not go. Save the bride and groom some money. Shouldn't be so worryed bout the whether there is alcohol. Your there to celebrate their marriage not get drunk.
yeah I think your first option in your poll is a little unfair....maybe something more like "I would prefer alcohol at a wedding"
I've been to dry receptions before. It wasn't so much that alcohol was missing, but it was the tone of the wedding and some of the dogma that was being preached. So it wasn't lack of alcohol that made it less fun, it was the self-righteous people that were pontificating the entire time that made it a drag.
I've never been to a reception that didn't offer alcohol of some sort. Regardless, I enjoy great company and good conversation. So if thats what was happening and you added some music - I know I would have fun at a reception that didn't offer booze 
I concur with @TinyTina that your poll (and post) are worded in a way that is rude to some people. It may be the case that you're feeling marginalized because of the words of some other people who enjoy events where alcohol is served, and it's a shame if you've been made to feel like a bad hostess. But there's nothing wrong, either, with the fact that many people enjoy drinking alcohol at events, and notice when it's not there.
I voted "Other" because I have been to weddings where alcohol was not served, but I definitely missed it and would not say that everyone "had a blast." I simply don't get nearly as excited about a wedding reception where alcohol won't be served, but I'm still happy to be there to support the couple, and wouldn't even think about complaining. Typically, if a couple is from a cultural/religious background that would prevent alcohol from being served at their wedding, I'll be aware of that ahead of time and won't be anticipating the type of party that I would at most other weddings.
[ETA] I see you revised the wording of the poll, thanks!
I'm not a fan of the wording in your poll either, so I voted "other".
I've never been to a wedding without an open bar (at least beer and wine).
I could go to a wedding and have a good time without alcohol, However, I am also in the camp that I dance a LOT more if I have a glass of wine in me.
We have a crowd of drinkers (we all loooooooooooove our wine) and I'm sure people would leave early if we didn't have booze at our Saturday evening wedding.
I did go to a wedding once with an open bar but NOBODY DRANK. Everyone stared at me because I ordered a glass of wine. It was strange and uncomfortable. We left pretty early because I didn't like the judgement looks and comments ("oh..you're drinking WINE...are you DRIVING?" for the record, my BF at the time was driving..).
In the end, it's your wedding so do what you want!
I've been to a couple dry weddings. It's a little odd, but in the end, you're there to see the ceremony, talk to some friends and celebrate the couple the way that they want to be celebrated. If that means no alcohol, so be it. As long as the couple doesn't complain about no one dancing or people leaving earlier than expected I don't see a problem with it at all.
While open bar weddings have been more fun because I enjoy having a few drinks with others and the generally merriment that a few drinks brings to a crowd as a whole, I respect folks who are understanding that some people drink and some don't.
What's considered the norm depends on your background and social circle. Since I'm not not religious at all and neither are my family and friends, I've never been to one and would be quite surprised if I found myself in this situation. Now back in my home country, I know some venues that are operated my devout Muslims that don't serve alcohol. Most people in my circle take care to avoid them, 1. to make a political statement 2. because they're usually not fun.
I've never been to a dry wedding and I have only been to one that only offered beer and wine as opposed to a full open bar (it was an afternoon reception) and people still bristled. I wouldn't care for a daytime event because I most likely wouldn't drink in the daytime but I enjoy a cocktail at evening events.
I haven't been to a completely dry wedding, cash bar yes though. I would prefer to pay for my own drink rather then not have the option at all. I like to celebrate and enjoy my evening out all dressed up as well and a nice glass of wine adds to the evening. Like I said, I'd rather buy a glass then not have the option at all. But that's not to say I wouldn't attend a dry wedding, I just may not enjoy it as much.
I don't think I've ever been to a totally dry wedding, but I've been to weddings with cash bars where I chose not to drink at all - no big deal! That being said, I haven't been to a ton of weddings, so I don't have much experience to go off of!
I've only been to one, and that was my first wedding when I was 18. I didn't really matter because none of our friend were old enough to drink either. It was just a short cake & punch receiption.
But now that I'm in my 20's, I would prefer there be alcohol served.
I've attended 40-50 weddings but never experienced a dry wedding or one with a strictly cash bar. Many weddings I've attended, however, have had limited open bars, i.e., beer, wine and a few signature cocktails. I've also been to weddings that had limited open bar along with a cash bar for high-end liquor. The rest were basically full open bars.
personally i don't see a reason to have alcohol at a wedding, i mean i don't think that is why people should come but i know many people who have said they are only going there because of alcohol being there. Its not that i have anything against alcohol and i enjoy some drinks sometimes but it won't be at our wedding. Also ive been to weddings where some people don't know how to control themselves when they know there is an open bar. weddings are not meant for that or to take the attention off the bride and groom and you can have lots of fun without alcohol!!! there is always sweet tea! :)
I think if your have an evening reception most people would expect alcohol to be served. Alcohol just seems to make people want to keep the party going, but like you said there are a variety of reasons people may have for choosing not to serve it at their wedding.
I've never been to a dry wedding and just can't imagine it, sorry. I'm sure it's fine, the booze is not the point of a wedding, but in my circles people drink.
I've also never been to a boozy wedding that had the "drama" some people seems to think happens if there is drinking - just a lot of people having themselves a good time.
Not gonna lie, I would be disappointed if there were no alcohol at a wedding I attended. I would rather have a cash bar (as long as I know ahead of time that it will be a cash bar) so that I can buy my own drinks. HOWEVER, if it's a matter of religious reasons or alcoholic family members, etc. then I would probably have a different mindset about the whole thing and would be more understanding.
I've been to dry weddings, as well as weddings with cash and open bars. I didn't have a preference and we're not serving alcohol...I don't think you really need alcohol to have fun. We're fine with people maybe leaving earlier, though we're only having a 3-hour reception with an after-party to follow, so leaving doesn't make much sense in that case. ;P
Nope. 25+ weddings in my life and no dry ones at all. Large Catholic family = booze!
The thing is, no one NEEDS alcohol. It's a luxury and makes for an enjoyable evening for many people. Nice dinner? Have some wine. It would definitely change the feel of a reception so it really depends on what you want.
@ladyox: You should meet my FFIL. He would drink himself stupid and cause a scene
@azureori: awww, i guess i've just been lucky then. I know there are a lot of people who can't handle their booze and if I thought they were coming to our wedding we might have thought twice about the open bar!
I respect people's decisions not to have alcohol at their weddings, to each his own, you know? I just hope those same people are respectful of those of us who chose to drink (and even enjoy it!)
I've been to one dry wedding for religious reasons of the groom's parents. The booze was not missed - but it was also an afternoon tea wedding.
Later that night the wedding party and friends met up at a downtown pub where all paid for their own drinks.
It was just as fantastic of a wedding as the one 'wet' wedding I had been to. The giddiness and happiness carried everyone through and it did not seem odd to me :)
Due to a small budget, we are not having alcohol. Most of my family doesn't drink, and while FI's family does, no none has offered to help pay. So unless we have extra in the budget, the wedding will stay dry. Friends are planning to have an "after-party" at the hotel, so we'll drink there! I've been to plenty of dry weddings, and I don't see anything wrong with it!
I've been to two dry weddings, both for religious purposes. One was in the afternoon with a cake and punch reception in the church hall, and honestly I was bored STIFF. But I think that was less about the alcohol than the fact that there was nothing to do. There was no music, very few snacks, 1.5 hours to kill while they were doing pics, and we didn't know anyone. We stayed for the cake cutting and then split.
The other one was 10x better. Lots of food, a good dj, and it was at night. I still had fun despite the lack of alcohol.
In general, I'll always prefer alcohol to not. But if there are enough other things going on then a lack of alcohol won't kill the night for me.
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