Alcohol and the reception?

Question

We have just started planning our wedding and have a dilema

We are thinking of having a casual spit-roast lunch for all family and friends. Guests tend to expect free alcohol at weddings

Our problem is that one of my parents is an ex-alcoholic, who has issues with being surrounded by alcohol

How do we go about this?

Answer 1

i manage a liqor store, and one of my staff members is an alcoholic. he has no problems serving alcolol to people, he just doesnt partake himself.

if you want to have alcolhol, have it. if you dont want alcohol, dont have it. simple

Answer 2

First off, you don't need alcohol at a wedding to enjoy yourself. Maybe just champagne for the toast. 2ND no one ever is an ex alcoholic they are in recovery it will be something they struggle with forever. But its their struggle. They need to be able to be around people drinking and still stay strong. So it really comes down to what you guys want at your wedding. You can always have a bar with no hard liquor. Just beer and wine.

Answer 3

for your parents sake...don't serve alcohol at the reception...have cute non alcohol cocktail drinks instead... like strawberry daiquiris, Shirley temples, and sorbet fruit punch (pineapple/orange sorbert ice cream, 7-up, fruit punch) in a martini glasses or unique looking glasses (but if that triggers the craving too...i think they need to get more counseling).  but a casual lunch reception sounds nice.

Answer 4

Id probably just write on the invite "no alcohol supplied" or if you want to not have it there at all say "no alcohol please"

Best of luck

Answer 5

have a cash bar. that way the people that want alcohol can buy it if they want it that badly. dont feel that you have to serve free alcohol at your wedding. remember its your special day, and if certain people are only coming for the free booze and not to celebrate your marriage with you, then they sound like people i would not want there to begin with. good luck!

Answer 6

well I had wine for my husband and I when we done our toasting. I didnt have it for everyone ... I had Welchs sparkling juice for them. I know it sounds cheesy but I couldnt afford wine for everyone. I mean I thought it was cute that way. I mean it is your day.

I hope this helps

Answer 7

I wouldn't have alcohol there then. This is your day and you can do it anyway you want. serve juice and tea instead. People should be there to enjoy your wedding not freeload your alcohol. Don't sweat not having it, I don't think its worth the risk.

Answer 8

My step family has a few recovering alcoholics and so one of the family members for their wedding had a wine glass at each table.

A person in charge simply went around and filled the class half full of wine for toasting.  For those who are on the "no alcohol" program, they insisted on 7-up before the wedding, so she already had their needs set in place.

After that, it was open non-alcoholic "bar". Served soda, orange juice and fruit smoothies etc.  

So another step cousin learned from that wedding and applied this to her wedding:

She served sparkling cider instead of wine, so kids can toast too.

She made fruit drinks and decide to make it more of an exotic and tropical drink theme. It was really neat what type of blends there was as everyone was more happy having that.  It wasn't that expensive either as much as alcohol would be.  

Plus, everyone went home sober. No worries about their health and their safety driving.

Answer 9

ha ha. c'mon you cant serve alcohol in your reception?!

Answer 10

If you have a wedding breakfast or brunch or luncheon you do NOT have to serve alcohol (possibly a champagne toast to the Bride and Groom, and that's it).

Wedding guests love FREE alcohol and they will drink and drink and drink at your expense.  So if you wish to avoid  serving alcohol (and save lots of $$$$)l change the time of your wedding and reception to earlier in the day.

This dilemma can be solved very easily . . do not serve alcoholic drinks.  Serve fruit punch, lemonade, sodas, iced tea, coffee or hot tea.  

What would you do if the reception venue that you reserved did not permit the serving of alcoholic drinks?  You would serve other things, and that's your answer.

Answered by:  A Certified wedding specialist / A Professional bridal consultant / A Wedding ceremony officiant

Answer 11

I did not serve alcohol at my reception.  Just so people did not think they were misisng out on anything though, we did have a signature drink (Indian mango smoothies) along with the regular soda line up.  Think of a special non-alcoholic drink that goes with your theme.  You'll save money, won't tempt the former alcoholic and guests will like your creativity.  Good luck!

Answer 12

I am getting married in 2 weeks and we had decided not to serve alcohol because we do not drink. Since we do not drink why should we spend a lot of money to see other people drunk on our special day and possibly acting like fools and ruining the reception for us. I have seen it happen a lot of times at other weddings so we did not think it was worth the money or the risk.

Sparkling cider is a good alternative for the toast!

Answer 13

I don't think its fair for all of the guests to be punished because one person has a drinking problem.  

I am an alcoholic and don't expect people to cater to me.  I expect people to go on doing things as they'd normally do.   So if you were planning on having a bar, do it, but if drinks aren't common in your family, there's no reason for there to be a bar.

All of my family drinks.  All of my fiance's family drinks.  We are going to have an open bar for our families even though neither one of us have had a drink in a year and a half. I feel like they're coming all the way from across the country to celebrate our day with us, the least we can do is give them a big old party

Good luck with everything

Answer 14

Your parent who has issues being around alcohol should just deal with it on your special day.  If you or the person you are marrying drinks.......then have alcohol.  Your parent will just have to understand.  Its your day, and you need to do what you want. I have been to dry weddings......they are boring as h**l!   You want people to leave early and be bored the whole night because of 1 person? Ultimitaly its your decision.....he/she will just have to understand.

Answer 15

My dad and grandma are recovered alcoholics for 20 plus yrs, so we didnt have any alcohol. They are both okay with other people drinking, but I felt it as a respect thing not to have it there.

Maybe you can plan something with the people that may want to drink for later that night or some other time.

Answer 16

let all know no alcohol is to be served.  It is a health issue.

Answer 17

take it from experience...it's your day and u need not have alcohol if u don't want it.  I am getting married in 3 weeks...people will be there to celebrate your wedding..notto just drink...

make ur decision and stick by it...

Answer 18

Simple, don't serve alcohol. No one says you have to serve booze at a reception.

If people want to drink, they can get together later.

Answer 19

i would serve alcohol i would have no alcoholic drinks you unform there will be acohol at the reception but there will be may other drinks he/she may drink... this will really test his/her self control btu he/she cant hide from alcohol for the rest of he/her lives

Good luck have a great day!!! (remmber it is your day)