Post # 77
Member
2090 posts
Buzzing bee
I’ve only been to one completely dry wedding, where they also didn’t serve food, so that probably clouds my judgment. I don’t think no alcohol necessarily means boring, but I did leave that wedding early, as did most of the guests. If there was adequate food (esp. if during dinnertime), dancing, and socializing, I might miss having a glass of wine, but it certainly wouldn’t be the end of the world.
While I totally understand not having alcohol because your religion forbids it, or because you’re on an overall strict budget, honestly it does irritate me when couples slash items that are nice for guests, while spending lavishly on items that are nice for only themselves. The reception is (IMO) a celebration party, and guest’s comfort is important too. We don’t go out to celebratory events that often, and it’s nice to have a glass of champagne, or wine, to celebrate. I certainly don’t expect a full open, top shelf bar, but it’s nice as a guest to have a little something to eat and drink while socializing with friends.
Post # 78
Member
212 posts
Helper bee
I’ve actually never been to a wedding WITH alcohol or dancing. We’re not having either. It’s a personal, religious choice.
It’s sad to see that so many people would consider our wedding boring 🙁
Post # 79
Member
5653 posts
Bee Keeper
I really do not think alcohol is needed for it to be a good party. I’ve been to two dry weddings and they were just as much fun as the one I went to with alcohol.
Post # 80
Member
5496 posts
Bee Keeper
I’ve been to one dry wedding (Sat. afternoon, not evening) so due to the time of day, I don’t think people missed it as much. That said, it wasn’t as fun as other weddings I’ve been too. (I only dance after a few drinks as do many friends/family members) Would I leave a dry wedding early? No! If I’m attending a wedding, I’ll do my best to enjoy it! But just personally, I find weddings with alcohol and dancing the most fun!
Post # 81
Member
112 posts
Blushing bee
I am probably in the minority, but I have never been to a wedding WITH alcohol. I had fun at every wedding. We mingled, talked to friends and family, and laughed. We left at varying times throughout the reception (around here, we don’t always have “set” end times and people leave when they want to) and felt like we had a great time. Most importanly, we were tickled for the happy couple’s new life together.
I would never begrudge someone wanting alcohol, but I find it kind of silly how people state they can’t party without it. I equate getting drunk and partying with college and I left that a long time ago.
Post # 82
Member
965 posts
Busy bee
@CorgiTales: i think you hit the nail on the head. not having alcohol is not the reason boring weddings are boring. boring weddings are boring due to lack of food and activities.
Post # 83
Member
552 posts
Busy bee
I went to a dry wedding this summer. It was a daytime wedding (noon) with an outdoor ceremony. The lunch reception was indoors and the venue did not allow alcohol. It wasn’t missed at all. I feel like guests would have noticed if it was later though. The bride and groom met up with everyone for an “after party” of drinks and dancing at a local bar.
Post # 84
Member
181 posts
Blushing bee
i could also have voted that i cant drink, because im preggo, and i dont recall hav ing been to a wedding with achohol since i was 21 (6 years ago) and even if i wasnt pregnant, i doubt i would drink. i dont like to drink unless im trying to feel it, and i dont usually care to be drunk at family events, and in our circles, weddings are family friendly events.
i also think that its bizzarro that people cannot have fun without alchohol.
Post # 85
Member
330 posts
Helper bee
We had to have a dry wedding because our reception was at our church and they have a no alcohol policy (believe me, we tried to get it changed!). We were afraid of people not staying long or not dancing, but we hired an amazing live band and the dance floor look like this the whole night! (we’re swingin our rags to TI here 
) You CAN have a dry wedding and still have a blast. We actually had to shut the party down because it just wasn’t ending and we only had the room til a certain time.
Post # 86
Member
4122 posts
Honey bee
I checked other. I’ve been to dry weddings, had a decent time, but it was noticeable it wasn’t there. And for me, when I’m a guest, I don’t like to get sloppy but I really do love a glass with dinner every day let alone on a special occasion. So, while I had a nice time, to me, dinner feels off with tea and water (which is what my experience has been at dry weddings, no coke either.)
I also haven’t been to a dry wedding where dancing was encouraged… like
@PortlandBride:‘s wedding.. so maybe it would feel less casual or be less noticeable.
Editing to add: Fiance is allergic to alcohol and doesn’t drink, and he has a blast at weddings. I actually didn’t drink until I was “legally allowed” too and even still didn’t even really drink wine until I was about 25… lol. So, for me, it’s not that I don’t have a good time if alcohol is not provided, on the contrary, I truly don’t need it. However, it just feels off to me to have a nice dinner without a drink offered. I’ve also noticed something “tangible” in the air among the guests as a “fun police” kind of vibe at the dry weddings I’ve been too. But, if you encourage a good time and have options for your guests, i.e. soft drinks, teas, water, coffee, maybe a few signature punches, etc… and have great music and energy, it probably won’t be a big deal.
Post # 87
Member
1001 posts
Bumble bee
I went to a dry wedding once, and while I can’t say I was bored (there was still dancing and a DJ and I caught the bouquet…but I was also 19 so I didn’t drink yet anyway) I would prefer to have a couple drinks.
I usually have a drink or two during cocktail hour, and then the champagne toast and wine with dinner. It helps loosen me up for dancing. I don’t drink hard alcohol, so I don’t care if that is available or not. I would say my friends are definitiely partiers and would have a lot less fun at a dry wedding.
Post # 88
Member
2280 posts
Buzzing bee
Coincidentally, the only weddings I’ve been to were dry. I had fun at all of them. There were three with DJs/dancing. Two times the floor was packed, because there were a lot of young people. The other wedding had a pretty crummy DJ and there was a smaller, older crowd, so it wasn’t as busy. It’s all about the crowd, comfort, and being fed.
@thefiancemeenah: “i also think that its bizzarro that people cannot have fun without alchohol.”
Agreed.
Post # 89
Member
2392 posts
Buzzing bee
I haven’t been to any dry weddings, though I’ve been to a couple of daytime wedding where there was either limited amounts of alcohol or people just didn’t drink very much.
It’s not that my friends and I can’t have fun without alcohol – it’s that we’re terrible dancers and without a little fuzziness of judgment we won’t start dancing.
Post # 90
Member
613 posts
Busy bee
ive been to 1 dry wedding and 1 all cash bar wedding ($$ for everything besides soda and water). we left both early. i understand people may not offer their guests alcohol for a variety of reasons, but i reserve the right to not stay all night and have uncomfortable conversations with strangers. of course you can have fun without alcohol, but why should i have to. im an adult. i want a drink when i celebrate. you dont have to offer it, but hubs and i will likely leave and go have a drink before the night is over. but, in my social and family circle, dry weddings would be bizarro.
Post # 91
Member
2820 posts
Sugar bee
I think it’s more about the people than the alcohol. I’ve been to boring and fun receptions that have alcohol and boring and fun receptions that haven’t had alcohol. Alcohol tends to loosen people up so usually conversations run more smoothly and people aren’t as scared to dance. So I’d say I usually expect to have more fun at ones with alcohol but that doesn’t always happen.
What made the dry reception that was boring and uncomfortable so boring was most defiantely the people, it felt like there was a lot of judging going on, I never figured out what anyone did for fun, they may have even looked down on fun. But the fun and dry reception I went to were the people, lots of super outgoing and friendly people, lots of dancing, I didn’t even notice there wasn’t alcohol there.
Member