Make Your Dry Wedding Fun With These Creative Ideas

Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to deciding whether or not to serve alcohol. While some may view dry weddings as boring or cheap, there are many reasons why a couple might choose to forego alcohol at their celebration. Religious beliefs, cultural norms, and financial constraints are all factors that can contribute to this decision.

So, how can you make a dry wedding fun? Here are some tips:

- Choose an interesting and enjoyable venue that doesn't allow alcohol, such as a park, beach, or amusement park.

- Opt for a morning or daytime ceremony when guests are less likely to expect or crave a drink.

- Set up a bar serving non-alcoholic drinks, including mocktails, juices, and fancy coffee or tea.

- Create a signature wedding mocktail that reflects your and your partner's personalities.

- Hire a good MC and/or DJ to keep the atmosphere upbeat and engaging.

- Plan fun games and activities, such as a photo booth, to entertain your guests and encourage mingling.

- Offer a variety of delicious food and desserts to keep your guests satisfied and happy.

- Make it a kid-friendly wedding, with activities like face painting and karaoke, which can be enjoyable for adults too!

- Excite your guests with upbeat music that suits the sea of emotions of the day.

Choose a fun, alcohol-free venue

When it comes to making a dry wedding fun, choosing the right venue is key. Here are some tips and ideas to help you select a fun, alcohol-free venue for your special day:

Opt for a unique and enjoyable venue

Surprise your guests by choosing a fun and unique venue that doesn't typically allow alcohol. This could be a recreational park, a nature preserve, a lake, a beach, or even a favourite amusement park. These venues offer a one-of-a-kind setting for your wedding and naturally create an enjoyable atmosphere without the need for alcohol.

Consider a morning or daytime ceremony

Scheduling your wedding for the morning or early afternoon can be a great strategy. People are generally less inclined to drink during these hours, and a fancy coffee bar or a mid-afternoon high tea can be a sophisticated and elegant alternative. Your guests will be happily mingling and conversing without even noticing the absence of alcohol.

Choose a venue that aligns with your interests

Think about what you and your partner love to do together. If you're adventurous, consider a rock-climbing gym or an intimate music venue. If you're foodies, a retro 1950s milkshake bar or a waffle house-themed wedding could be perfect. By choosing a venue that reflects your interests, you'll create a fun and memorable experience for you and your guests.

Prioritise guest comfort and interaction

Select a venue that encourages guest interaction and comfort. Consider a relaxed setting like a park or garden, where guests can easily mingle and socialise. You can also incorporate games, activities, and icebreakers to get everyone involved and having fun together. A comfortable and engaged guest is less likely to miss the alcohol!

Inform your guests in advance

If your decision to have a dry wedding differs from what your friends and family are used to, it's a good idea to give them a heads-up before the wedding. This can be done personally or through your wedding website or invitation. This way, your guests will know what to expect and can focus on enjoying the unique and fun experience you've created.

Schedule the ceremony for the morning or early afternoon

If you're looking to make your dry wedding fun, scheduling the ceremony for the morning or early afternoon is a great idea. Here's why this strategy can work and how you can make the most of it:

Guest Expectations

Firstly, it's important to understand that people generally don't expect alcohol to be served during the morning or early afternoon. This means that you're already setting the right expectations for your guests. After a sunrise wedding on the beach, for instance, your guests are more likely to be thinking about their morning coffee than a cocktail. By the time they ask about drinks, you can direct them to a delightful coffee bar with classy non-alcoholic options. Alternatively, a fancy afternoon high tea can be a sophisticated and elegant way to celebrate, with exquisite finger foods and gourmet teas taking centre stage.

Guest Comfort

Scheduling your dry wedding for the morning or early afternoon can also make your guests more comfortable with the absence of alcohol. While some guests may be disappointed by the lack of alcohol at any time of day, hosting your wedding earlier in the day gives guests the evening to pursue their own plans. They can choose to continue the celebration with their drink of choice at a different location, or they can opt for a quiet night in if they prefer. This way, you get to celebrate your special day surrounded by loved ones without the pressure of providing alcohol.

Catering Options

The time of day also opens up a range of catering options that can delight your guests and keep them engaged. A daytime or brunch wedding allows you to explore a variety of food and drink options that are well-suited to the morning or afternoon. Think fancy coffee bars, gourmet teas, delicious brunch spreads, and even milkshake bars! These options can be a fun and unique way to treat your guests and create a memorable experience.

Venue Options

When it comes to venues, the time of day also presents some interesting possibilities. Recreational parks, nature preserves, lakes, beaches, and public squares often prohibit alcohol, and they can provide a beautiful and unique setting for your ceremony. Imagine exchanging your vows by the lakeside or celebrating your union on the beach as the sun rises. These venues can offer a naturally enjoyable experience for your guests, even without the presence of alcohol.

Informing Your Guests

While it's always a good idea to inform your guests about the dry nature of your wedding ahead of time, choosing a morning or afternoon ceremony can also help manage expectations. You can include a playful note on your invitations, such as "Join us for a sunrise celebration, and we'll provide the coffee!" This way, your guests will know what to expect and can look forward to a unique and enjoyable experience.

In conclusion, scheduling your dry wedding for the morning or early afternoon can be a strategic and effective way to create a fun and memorable celebration. With the right timing, venue, and catering options, you can ensure your guests have a wonderful time, even without alcohol. So, don't be afraid to embrace the morning or afternoon slot and make it your own!

Serve non-alcoholic drinks, including mocktails

While it may be challenging to throw a fun wedding without alcohol, it is not impossible. One way to do this is by serving non-alcoholic drinks, including mocktails. Mocktails can be just as fun and exciting as cocktails, and they can be a great way to add a unique twist to your wedding.

First, consider creating a signature mocktail for your wedding. Work with your caterer or bartender to come up with a unique blend of flavours that symbolizes you and your partner's personalities. You can even get creative with the name and the presentation. For example, serve it in a pretty glass with a fun garnish, or add fresh herbs and spices to make it more exciting and unique.

If you want to offer your guests a wider variety of drinks, set up a mocktail bar with a base mixture, a "shot", and a garnish. This way, your guests can create their own unique drinks, and you can offer a range of non-alcoholic options such as ginger beer, energy drinks, juice combinations, fresh wheatgrass, lemon, or blue spirulina.

In addition to mocktails, you can also serve other non-alcoholic drinks such as booze-free beer, non-alcoholic wine, fancy coffee, gourmet tea, fruit smoothies, and milkshakes. These drinks can be served at a bar or two that you set up specifically for non-alcoholic drinks, ensuring your guests stay hydrated and happy throughout the celebration.

By offering a variety of fun and delicious non-alcoholic drinks, you can create an enjoyable and memorable experience for your guests, proving that a wedding can be fun even without alcohol.

Plan a fun theme and activities

Choose a fun theme

The right theme can make your wedding fun and memorable. It can be anything, but something with significance to the occasion works better. For example, a "Waffle House" theme with a breakfast buffet or a fairy-tale-like "Celestial Night" with dreamy, star-studded decorations. You can also plan a nostalgic theme that recreates your journey together, with activities like swimming, a barbecue, and a bonfire with s'mores.

Plan activities for your guests

A great way to keep your guests entertained is to plan some fun games and activities. If your wedding is large, consider hiring jugglers or street magicians to keep your guests busy. Set up a photo booth to encourage guests to mingle and create memorable moments. You can also organise a hay-lined bowling alley, a donut-eating race, and a bobbing-for-apples station, especially if you're planning a fall wedding.

Hire a good MC and/or DJ

The right host and music can make or break the atmosphere of your wedding. A good MC and/or DJ will be able to engage your guests with humour, play songs that will get everyone dancing, and move the festivities along smoothly.

Make it kid-friendly

Adding kids to the mix can change the tone and focus of the wedding, often for the better. Plan some kid-friendly activities like face painting, karaoke, Twister, and wedding table crafts. When kids are having fun, adults often join in the silliness too!

Provide a variety of food and desserts

Providing a variety of food and desserts is a great way to make a dry wedding fun. Here are some ideas to ensure your guests have a memorable dining experience:

Choose a range of appetisers

Offer a selection of appetisers or starters to kick things off. You could have interactive food stations with charcuterie cones, a sushi bar, or a popcorn stand. If you want something more substantial, how about a slider or grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup? For a healthier option, consider vegetable roll-ups or Caprese cups.

Select a variety of mains

For the main course, it's a good idea to offer a few different options to cater to various dietary requirements and preferences. You could have a choice of fried chicken, kebabs, steak and salad, fish, shrimp, or spaghetti squash. If you want to go all out, lobster, lamb, or steak are sure to impress. Don't forget to consider any sides, such as roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.

Offer a range of desserts

For dessert, you could have a waffle bar, an ice cream station, or a doughnut wall. If you're looking for something more traditional, a wedding cake or cupcakes are always a good option. For a refreshing end to the meal, consider popsicles, especially if it's a summer wedding. Alternatively, offer a selection of macarons or petite cheesecakes for something a little different.

Provide late-night snacks

Keep the energy going with some late-night snacks. You could have an ice cream cart, nachos, or something more tailored to the couple's favourites. This will ensure your guests stay energised and keep the party going!

Communicate dietary requirements

Be sure to ask your guests about any dietary requirements or allergies when sending out invitations. This will help you plan a menu that caters to everyone's needs and ensures all your guests have a fun and safe dining experience.

Frequently asked questions