A Wedding Without Alcohol: Enjoyable Or Endurable?

Weddings are often associated with open bars and free-flowing alcohol, but this doesn't have to be the case. A dry wedding is a wedding without alcohol, and it's becoming an increasingly popular choice for couples. Whether it's due to religious or cultural beliefs, financial constraints, or a desire to promote health and wellbeing, there are several valid reasons why a couple might opt for a dry wedding. While some guests may be disappointed by the absence of alcohol, there are ways to ensure that everyone still has a good time. From creating signature mocktails and setting up fun food stations to investing in high-quality entertainment, a dry wedding can be just as enjoyable and memorable as a traditional wedding.

Non-alcoholic drinks and food

There are many non-alcoholic drinks and food options to serve at a wedding to ensure that it is still enjoyable for guests. Here are some ideas to make your wedding fun and memorable, without the alcohol.

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

• Large glass dispensers filled with flavoured water, lemonade, or iced tea are great for a ceremony, especially if it's outdoors on a hot day.
• For cocktail hour and the reception, try adding garnishes to sparkling water or soda, such as fresh raspberries or mint leaves, for a more refined presentation.
• Create mocktails by filling champagne flutes with pink lemonade and a fresh herb leaf, or try a virgin cocktail like a virgin Mary or a virgin piña colada.
• For a fun twist, serve milkshakes or floats, especially if you have a lot of kids attending.
• For a morning or brunch wedding, offer freshly pressed juices and smoothies, as well as coffee and tea.
• For an afternoon tea-themed wedding, serve iced tea, coffee, and an assortment of sweet and savoury bites like sandwiches, pastries, cheeses and fresh fruit.
• Sparkling drink options for toasts: sparkling cider, apple juice, grape juice, flavoured seltzer water, mock mimosas (orange juice with ginger ale), or sodas.
• Non-alcoholic beers and wines are also an option, and be sure to provide plenty of bottled water, plain or sparkling.

Food

• For a morning or brunch wedding, a bountiful breakfast or lunch with a variety of food options will be a hit.
• For an afternoon tea, serve sweet and savoury bites like sandwiches, pastries, cheeses, and fresh fruit.
• If you're serving a meal, be sure to have a variety of food options to cater to different dietary needs and preferences.
• Dessert is a must, especially if you're serving milkshakes or floats! Think about having a dessert bar with a variety of treats, or a cake that everyone can enjoy.

Remember, while some guests may miss the alcohol, a well-planned and thoughtfully curated non-alcoholic drink and food menu will ensure that your wedding is still a fun and memorable celebration for all.

Music and entertainment

• Invest in high-quality entertainment, such as a live band or DJ, to get people up and dancing.
• Work with your DJ or band to select songs that will get your crowd going.
• Consider adding a musician or two to complement your DJ, such as a saxophone player or electric violinist, to add engagement on the dance floor.
• If hiring a band or DJ is out of budget, you can add a solo musician or a couple of musicians to perform during the event.
• Have a variety of food and desserts to keep guests energised and excited.

In addition to music and entertainment, there are other ways to keep guests entertained at a dry wedding:

• Create a photo booth, hire performers, or organise games and activities to keep guests engaged throughout the event.
• Set up a mocktail bar with a variety of fun, non-alcoholic drinks for guests to enjoy. Work with your bartender to create signature mocktails or offer a make-your-own mocktail bar.
• Offer a dessert drink station with non-alcoholic espresso martinis, mini milkshakes, and fruit smoothies served in fancy cocktail glasses.
• Provide a coffee bar, milkshakes, or a green juice station as a unique, non-alcoholic drinking experience.
• Host a daytime or brunch wedding, which can be more comfortable for guests who are not drinking and can help to remove the expectation of a party at night.
• Shorten the reception to 3-4 hours instead of the traditional 5 hours to avoid guests leaving early.

Communicating the dry wedding to guests

It is important to communicate to your guests that your wedding will be dry, so they can decide whether they want to attend or not, and to avoid dissatisfaction and misunderstandings during the celebration.

The best way to do this is to include the no-alcohol policy in the invitation. You could say something like: “We are delighted to share this special day with you and kindly ask that no alcoholic beverages are brought to ensure a safe and enjoyable celebration for all of us. We look forward to celebrating with you more healthily and mindfully and we will be providing a selection of drinks and food for you to enjoy.”

You can also use your wedding website to communicate this information. Ensure that the main page of your site contains any new information guests should know, and that consistent information is in the FAQ section.

Another option is to create a private group on social media, such as Facebook or Instagram, to keep guests tapped in. This is ideal if most of your guests use those platforms. You can also post a notice on your stories, such as "Wedding guests: Check your texts".

If you have older guests who are less tech-savvy, it is best to give them a call to let them know about the no-alcohol policy.

Daytime or brunch events

If you're planning a daytime or brunch wedding without alcohol, there are a few things you can do to ensure your guests still have a great time.

Firstly, it's a good idea to let your guests know in advance that the wedding will be dry. This can be done by including a line on your wedding website or invitation that says something like, "We are delighted to share this special day with you and kindly ask that no alcoholic beverages are brought to ensure a safe and enjoyable celebration for all of us." This will help to set expectations and avoid any awkward conversations on the day.

To keep guests entertained, consider investing in some high-quality entertainment, like a great band or DJ. This will encourage people to get up and dance and create a fun atmosphere. You could also set up a photo booth, hire performers, or have a variety of games and activities for guests to enjoy.

In terms of food and drinks, you can get creative with non-alcoholic options. Work with your caterers to create a signature mocktail or offer a make-your-own mocktail bar with a variety of fun ingredients. You could also set up a coffee bar, milkshake bar, or a tea and cocoa station, especially if you plan to have a shorter reception. Be sure to have plenty of soft drinks, juices, and water available throughout the event to keep your guests hydrated, especially if they'll be spending time on the dance floor!

By offering a variety of fun, non-alcoholic drinks and entertainment options, you can ensure that your daytime or brunch wedding is a memorable and enjoyable experience for all your guests.

Choosing the right venue

The venue is one of the most important parts of a wedding, and there are several factors to consider when choosing the right one.

First, it's important to lay out your non-negotiables. How many guests will the venue need to accommodate? Do you want an outdoor space for the ceremony? What is your budget? It's also important to consider whether the venue will allow you to bring your own alcohol, and whether this is something you want to do.

Once you have a general idea of your budget, guest count, desired location, and wedding date range, you can start to narrow down your options. There are many websites that allow you to filter venue lists by budget, capacity, catering options, and alcohol options. You can also take virtual tours of venues via FaceTime, Skype, or Duo.

When taking a virtual tour, it's a good idea to ask lots of questions. Ask about the curfew, service fees, parking fees, and any other additional rentals or costs. You should also ask for references from couples who have recently had their weddings at the venue. It's also important to consider the location of the venue in relation to the airport and hotels, to ensure it's convenient for your guests.

Finally, trust your gut. You want to feel valued and heard during the wedding planning process, so choose a venue that makes you feel taken care of and excited about your big day.

Frequently asked questions