So say you were getting married..

aliama

Hmm, tricky one. I think I'd try to limit the amount of available alcohol rather than ban it completely, but that's mainly because I personally feel it's important to accommodate the wishes of your guests and make them feel comfortable -- to me it feels wrong to prevent people from drinking at what is essentially a party and celebration (although I do accept there may be valid reasons to do so, such as if one of you has an alcoholic family member).

I think the afternoon tea suggestion is a great idea.

On a slightly different tangent, I've always been baffled by Christians who have dry weddings for religious reasons -- seriously, have those people never heard of the wedding of Cana? (Jesus: "What do you mean they haven't got any wine? B******s to that!")

victory

poet123 wrote: »

I think that unless you know that there are those who will drink to excess then you should cater for all tastes. If there was a vegetarian or a vegan amongst your guests would you insist they eat what was being served to you if it included meat?

I think they are not keen to be around alcohol/ drunks so if they don't have it they save themselves the concern over it

NAR

Your wedding, your choice, have it alcohol free if that is your choice. Up to your guests to accept and comply.

Spendless

Yes, I'd serve alcohol to guests even if me and my spouse were tee-total. I wouldn't skip having desserts or a cake if one of us were diabetic, or only have veggie dishes if one/both of us were vegetarians.

If I had friends/family who were incapable of having an alcoholic drink without getting drunk enough for me/us not to want to be around them, then they wouldn't be getting an invite.

michelle2008

You don't have to serve it if you would prefer not - however if there is a bar will you be okay with guests buying their own.

I have to say I hate the idea of making guests finish their drinks before coming into the reception. I would be offended if I thought the bride and gloom (!) didn't trust me to manage my own alcohol intake.

poet123

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I wouldn't insist that they eat meat but that's not the same as not having something. A better analogy would be if you were vegetarian would you serve meat for your guests who eat it?

I would, yes. If I host an event or invite guests I expect to accommodate their tastes and preferences.

bagpussbear

poet123 wrote: »

I think that unless you know that there are those who will drink to excess then you should cater for all tastes. If there was a vegetarian or a vegan amongst your guests would you insist they eat what was being served to you if it included meat?

I agree, personally I think you should cater for all tastes, or at least have 1 glass of champers/asti/cava etc so people can toast the bride and groom.

Torry_Quine

aliama wrote: »

Hmm, tricky one. I think I'd try to limit the amount of available alcohol rather than ban it completely, but that's mainly because I personally feel it's important to accommodate the wishes of your guests and make them feel comfortable -- to me it feels wrong to prevent people from drinking at what is essentially a party and celebration (although I do accept there may be valid reasons to do so, such as if one of you has an alcoholic family member).

I think the afternoon tea suggestion is a great idea.

On a slightly different tangent, I've always been baffled by Christians who have dry weddings for religious reasons -- seriously, have those people never heard of the wedding of Canaan? (Jesus: "What do you mean they haven't got any wine? B******s to that!")

I didn't do it for religious reasons (although we are Christians). As you say that makes little sense, we just don't like that for many the automatic thought at a celebration is lots of alcohol!

Sommer43

I had 20 guests at my wedding last year.

I don't drink and neither does my husband. We purchased a case of wine and half a dozen bottles of bubbly. We had an afternoon tea and everyone was gone at 8'o clock at night.

OP. It's your wedding. Do what you want to do. Those who want to be there to celebrate the day with you will not care what there is to drink. We also had a couple of friends who did non-alcoholic cocktails in superb glasses. Why not do something like that? Loads of recipes for non-boozy cocktails.

geoffky

I do not drink and the wife has a drink once a year but if other people want to have a drink who am i to stop them..
I would never dream of imposing my wishes on people who have no say in the matter..