Wedding Forum

[Sarzy22]

Hiya ladies,

I don't really know how this works. All the weddings i've been to, which is only 3. Have all had alcohol packages etc. Considering we're on such a tight budget... and I don't drink - hate the stuff (plus an alcoholic Mum)

I'm thinking to have a dry wedding. What are you opinions? Is it totally rude to do this?

ALSO lets say we go ahead and do this, do all venues even allow this, considering they know they'll be losing out on a lot of money? I'm fine if people buy their own drinks/spirits, I just don't want to fund it, when I don't even drink... Seems so silly. (FH is a casual beer drinker.. not sure what his opinion is on this yet)

Will the venue still make us pay for another beverage pack? Like water/OJ/soft drink or something? I just don't see how they'll let it slip losing so much money.

Hope this post isn't confusing lol. So has anyone had a dry wedding? Did the night end early? Was it still a fantastic night?

Thanks ladies

xoxo

[Lissat_81]

I think you would still have to either pay for a beverage package including soft drinks, water and juice, or at the very least put some cash onto the bar for such things, because a dry wedding would normally imply no alcohol, not paying for regular drinks. If you do either of those, I think it would be fine, obviously some people will not like it (can't please everyone) but if you are on a tight budget, it is an option. Would definitely have alcohol available though for people to have, should they choose to pay for it.

I personally had an alochol package, even though I can't really drink (medical condition), because I knew there would be issues with my family if we did not have it (extended relatives). I think you know your guests better than we would do so I think you need to base your decision on that. Good luck

[Parisbride]

Some places (such as where we are having ours, and this is what we are doing) you can just pay a couple of dollars per person to have the bar open for the night, but then people have to pay for their own drinks. We are happy for people to drink, but we cant afford to pay for it for them, so we are doing it this way, and we will just right on the invitations that drinks are available for purchase. So they know they will need money if they want to drink...

[lollol0003]

Some places (such as where we are having ours, and this is what we are doing) you can just pay a couple of dollars per person to have the bar open for the night, but then people have to pay for their own drinks. We are happy for people to drink, but we cant afford to pay for it for them, so we are doing it this way, and we will just right on the invitations that drinks are available for purchase. So they know they will need money if they want to drink...

Yep, I think that's fair - as long as people have notice about the situation it's fine. A wedding with friends wouldn't phase me if there was not booze, but I wouldn't be able to get through a night with my family without a few bevvies or a tantrum and since I don't usually carry cash I would need forewarning.

[littlestephie]

Some places (such as where we are having ours, and this is what we are doing) you can just pay a couple of dollars per person to have the bar open for the night, but then people have to pay for their own drinks. We are happy for people to drink, but we cant afford to pay for it for them, so we are doing it this way, and we will just right on the invitations that drinks are available for purchase. So they know they will need money if they want to drink...

We're having a cash bar because neither FH nor I are big drinkers, my family don't drink at all, and it's an afternoon wedding. I know this is going to cause problems among FH's extended family, but we've decided not to care about that

Some places will include soft drink/juice in the price per head, and some won't. Ours has a separate non-alcoholic drinks package, or we can do a 'bar tab' for them (which is what we're doing) and we'll have a cash bar available, as well as tea and coffee constantly available (included in per head charge). The most important thing is making it clear on the invitations that alcohol will be available for purchase.

[Parisbride]

Ive been to weddings that were cash bar and honestly didnt see it as a big deal =] was just as if we'd gone for a night out and have to buy our own drinks. No biggy to me =] and i kind of see it that, we are getting married id rather spend the extra couple of grand that would go on peoples booze, on us and our holiday then using it for everyone else to get smashed (not that i care if they do, they can just do it out of their own pocket) =D

[lauralou]

I think you would still have to either pay for a beverage package including soft drinks, water and juice, or at the very least put some cash onto the bar for such things, because a dry wedding would normally imply no alcohol, not paying for regular drinks. If you do either of those, I think it would be fine, obviously some people will not like it (can't please everyone) but if you are on a tight budget, it is an option. Would definitely have alcohol available though for people to have, should they choose to pay for it.

I agree with this. I think it would be really rude to expect your guests to buy their own non-alcoholic beverages. But a cash bar for alcohol is perfectly acceptable, just make sure you let your guests know so that they can factor in the extra expense and bring enough cash

[kellie.skye]

Consider maybe a small tab on the bar? Soft drinks and juice are usually the least expensive (or less expensive) drinks at venues. Put a bit of cash up so everyone can have a beverage, but limit it. I'm putting up a sign that says they can drink whatever they want but once the tab's done, they're on their own!

[PerthGirl]

I'd tell people its a cash bar. Whether you put a small tab on is up to you (or perhaps you could supply only 1 glass of champagne for speeches). You should pay for oj/ soft drinks however.

I recently had a birthday party, we put $900 on the tab and it ran out by 11pm, about 40-50 people came if that gives you any idea. A lot weren't big drinkers though.

You also have to consider that some people like a glass of wine or beer with dinner, they won't necessarily get raging drunk. Depends on your family of course.

[ExcitedBride2B]

I think a cash bar is fine (maybe let guests know by word of mouth)

But other beverages (Water, Tea, etc) will need to be provided