Post # 1
Member
52 posts
Worker bee
So I have been considering not providing alcohol at the wedding. Is that rude? We’ll have plenty of water, lemonade, and iced tea but no alcohol. I was planning on putting on the invitations ” alcohol is permitted but not provided” A lot of people in my family think this is a good idea but idk. I can’t afford an open bar and kegs seem kind of trashy to me. I don’t want it to feel like a college party with the kegs but I also don’t want guest to be mad there is no alcohol. Any suggestions?
Post # 3
Member
966 posts
Busy bee
@undercover92: Bottles of wine on the tables and a champagne toast?
Post # 4
Member
2808 posts
Sugar bee
will they allow people to bring their own alcohol in? that would be my worry with your statement that you wanna put on the invitations. i think lemonade, water, and tea is perfectly appropriate.
i’ve been to a few “dry” weddings. it’s a nice break from the alcohol fueled ones i’m used to. my cousin’s wedding was dry, as his wife grew up in a mennonite family and her parents hosted the wedding at their home, in amish country. it was so much fun, and it was a nice change from weddings where nobody remembers anything the next morning, know what i mean?
as an alternative- you could have a cash bar, it’s always an option, even if people look down on it.
Post # 5
Member
1408 posts
Bumble bee
i attended a friends wedding once where there was no alcohol and honestly it didnt seem like anyone noticed. There was plenty of good food and other drinks to go around. It was also a day time wedding so it was a little more appropriate that there was no alcohol. I think it really depends on your guests and the time of day but remember it is your wedding. If anything a few bottles or wine or champagne wouldnt break the bank.
Post # 6
Member
52 posts
Worker bee
@colorofmyheart: Yes they can bring their own alcohol. That’s why I was putting that on the invites. I feel bad not providing it but its so freakin expensive!
Post # 7
Member
2523 posts
Sugar bee
Alcohol is social lubricant. It relaxes people in environments where they don’t know each other.
A lot of people set a certain amount at the bar, then when that amount is up the bar closes. Is that an option for you?
Post # 8
Member
4035 posts
Honey bee
@undercover92: I think I would stick with just a dry wedding and not mention the alcohol permitted part (that could become a huge liability).
Fiance and I are not big drinkers (we have an alcoholic drink maybe once or twice a month, if that), but we are going to provide a limited amount of alcholol. Just a bottle of wine and champagne at each table and then a set number of beers (approx. 2 per guest). Some people will not be happy, but it’s what we decided (and hope to keep certain people closer to the sober side).
Post # 9
Member
4035 posts
Honey bee
@undercover92: Have you considered doing sangria (in punch bolws) or cheaper wine? There are plenty of brands that are more inexpensive and can be self serve at the tables.
Post # 10
Member
4755 posts
Honey bee
i second wine on tables. BYOB is on par with kegs in terms of weddings.
Post # 11
Member
52 posts
Worker bee
@bmo88: I’ve heard of drink tickets in the invites? Is that how you’re limiting the 2 beers per person?
Post # 12
Member
52 posts
Worker bee
@vmec: yeah I didn’t think about the byob being kinda trashy too..lol
Post # 13
Member
4035 posts
Honey bee
@undercover92: No I actually purchased nice drink buckets (see below) and will fill them with ice and beers. I did not want to pay $150 for the bartender. Our venue is letting us bring in alcholol, so that was a bonus. Our wedding is fairly casual, so it works.
You can buy alcohol pretty cheap at Sams or Costco and return what you do not use.
But drink tickets could be a great idea!
Post # 14
Member
2515 posts
Sugar bee
we debated this too because of the expense. we ended up going with wine with dinner and champagne for a toast. there was a bar in the hotel lobby and some of our friends bought drinks there. they didn’t seem to care. don’t feel bad about it. it’s your wedding and if you can’t afford it then you can’t afford it. people will understand.
Post # 15
Member
52 posts
Worker bee
@bmo88: I’m liking the sangria idea or maybe a rum punch. I’m getting 3 gallon dispenser that’s clear and really pretty and the sangria and rum punch would look so pretty in them…oh thank you girls!!!
Post # 16
Member
4035 posts
Honey bee
@undercover92: Ooo, a rum punch sounds good. Depending on the time of day, mimosas can be good too. We are doing a large clear drink dispenser as well 🙂
