So say you were getting married..

Johnmcl7

Person_one wrote: »

Why wouldn't you let people make up their own minds, unless you had some moral opposition to alcohol?

I don't like onions or high heels but I wouldn't ban them from an event I was hosting!

To be fair though people wearing high heels and consuming onions tend to have much less of an effect on other people compared to those consuming a bit too much alcohol.

As I don't drink myself it wouldn't bother me going to a wedding with no alcohol and I can certainly see the appeal although obviously those who are not teetotal may see it differently.

John

Gloomendoom

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

To be fair though people wearing high heels and consuming onions tend to have much less of an effect on other people compared to those consuming a bit too much alcohol.

I agree about the high heels but consuming onions can have a very profound effect on other people. Especially in an enclosed space.

Couchiex3

Your wedding so its up to you, but personally I would let people drink and hope they would respect my wishes not to get completely hammered.
I would just feel odd not letting anybody have a drink just because myself or my OH didn't want alcohol.

I like the suggestion of afternoon tea.

bagpussbear

NAR wrote: »

Why? Whose wedding is it? Toasts can be done non alcoholic if required.

That's true, but the OP seems to be anxious about people getting drunk which she doesn't like, but 1 glass of fizz is not going to get folks drunk is it. For me,that would be a compromise.

time2deal

If people were flying across from Ireland, booking a night in a hotel, buying me gifts and dressing up to show their love and support for my wedding, I wouldn't dream of not giving them a drink as I didn't trust them.

What is the worst case scenario here? The odd drunk uncle that you will hardly notice. Or a lot of annoyed guests, who will discuss the 'dry' wedding for the wrong reasons for years to come!

Person_one

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

To be fair though people wearing high heels and consuming onions tend to have much less of an effect on other people compared to those consuming a bit too much alcohol.

As I don't drink myself it wouldn't bother me going to a wedding with no alcohol and I can certainly see the appeal although obviously those who are not teetotal may see it differently.

John

Most people are perfectly capable of having a few drinks and still behaving properly.

If I was invited to an alcohol free wedding and the reasoning behind it was that the host didn't like me when I've had a drink, or that I couldn't be trusted to behave properly, then I'd be pretty offended.

If I was invited to a wedding where no alcohol made sense because of the setting, such as a picnic or an afternoon tea, I wouldn't be offended because I would never realise the host thought those things.

So the second one is probably the way to go.

Although I would warn the OP that there's a good chance her relatives will find a way to drink if they really really want to, alcohol is readily available. If she finds it so distressing to be around alcohol consumption maybe counselling or some CBT would be a good idea, as its not something you can avoid forever, not without missing out on a lot of social events anyway.

mummyroysof3

If the venue has a bar then let the guests get their own drinks

SavingPennies_2

I don't drink and I'm a vegetarian, but... I wouldn't mind if people wanted to drink and eat meat. I want to live with my choices and i think other people should live with theirs, yes it would be "my" day but i would want guests to enjoy themselves too. Unless you are a very specific reason (or person) in mind for not wanting guests to drink alcohol..?

burnoutbabe

if there is another bar in the building which does do drink, you will probably find a large part of the party will go through there and tend not to come back (as you'd order your drink, have to drink it there, then order another etc). So you'd get an unsociable wedding.

Brokeattheminute

When we got married my o/h parents were very religious and didnt want alcohol served in the funtion room during the meal so we came to a comprimise,there was a restaurant downstairs with a bar so anybody that wanted an alcoholic drink with their dinner went and bought it downstairs and btls of sloer were served during the meal.After the meal was finished and the evening ent started there was a small bar opened in the corner of the room for anybody who wanted drinks.I agree that even if you banned alcoholic drinks from the reception some people if they wanted to drink would find a way of sneeking it in!