Weddingbee Boards

hello!

Me and my fiance are NOT drinkers. Most of my family aren't either and so does most of our friends. I am not sure for the other guests that my friends will bring with them tho. I am debating whether to include alcohol in the reception given that our venue is asking for $2000 extra on top of our bill for only one hour hosted bar. We HAVE to use theirs and we cannot bring our own. Our wedding is already costing us alot and we could use to cut some expenses given that we are not really big drinkers anyway and are on a budget. Do you guys think that it's ok to forego this? or you think this will make us a non-gracious host. help!

Maybe you could just do a champagne toast and leave off the full bar?  I think that people do expect champagne at a wedding, but that doesn't mean you're even obligated to provide that.  I've certainly been to weddings where there was no alcohol.  Do you have a family punch recipe or anything like that?  If you offer a signature nonalcoholic beverage, people probably wouldn't even miss the booze, particularly in daytime.

This is one of the main reasons we are having an early wedding and a lunch reception. We are drinkers, but most of the groom's family are not. In fact, most of them do not drink at all. We are having a champagne toast, though, and are just planning on having fun drinks like Jones sodas. Don't let people pressure into having alcohol if you do not want it, but realize that if you are planning on a lot of dancing, being alcohol-free may not be the best way to go. Its just so much easier to convince people to dance when they've been drinking. 

your wedding is about you! if you don't drink, and you don't want to spend the money - don't! if they need to drink that badly, they can go out afterwards. they'll be just fine with punch, i'm sure. besides, they're there to celebrate with you not to get drunk (at least, let's hope so!).

(we're forgoing all alcohol. it was never a question for us. though a few members of my family drink, most of us don't - not even champagne. we're saving a lot and we'll have fun either way!)

Do what you want!  I don't think people "expect" anything at weddings these days since they are all so different and anything goes-- and if people honestly 'expect' their drink/champagne, I think that's just wrong.  We didn't do a full bar-- just wine/beer and a champagne toast, with a signature cocktail for the cocktail hour, and I didn't hear a single complaint.  We were slightly worried about college friends getting sloppy and drunk, so I intentionally wanted to limit the amount of hard alcohol that was there, and it worked out just fine.  No sloppy friends, and no complainers.  Again- do what you want!  If you don't want to do champagne even, you could serve sparkling martinelli's-- I've always loved that!!

Check on the bartender fee for even a cash bar. I've noticed that they run anywhere from $75-$75 an hour!

If you, your families and you friends don't drink, don't have it! The punk and champaign options sound perfect. In all likelyhood if your friends have a SO they are probably not big drinkers either. (birds of a feather...) Plus, it's during the day. I love my wine but I can wait!

My family doesn't drink beyond a little wine and maybe an after dinner drink. Me, FI, his family and most of our friends all drink. It is going to be a BIG part of our bill!