For a couple that does not consume alcohol, what is the best way to allow the guests to drink if they wish?

Question

My bride and I are concerned that it may seem rude to ask our guests to pay for an alcoholic beverage if the guest wishes to drink, but we also do not drink. What is the best way to reach a middle ground?

Answer 1

I am guessing this will pertain to your wedding reception. I would offer free soft drinks and state that alcohol will be available to purchase if wanted. If you wanted you could have an open bar for the first hour. Our BYOB. Just suggestions.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Give out 2 drink tickets per adult that would like to consume alcohol, when they check-in. They can redeem that at the mini bar anytime they would like. Set-up with like: 2 kinds of wine, 1 or 2 beer brands & maybe margarita. After they have used up their tickets-tough luck, cause can't get anymore.

Each table for the non-drinkers, kids etc. Offer up to 3 kinds of soda, or 2 kinds of soda & water. Which can be refilled anytime all through the reception.

Answer 3

I would have an open bar or at least a limited bar (maybe beer/wine or beer/wine/rum/vodka)  

If you want to accommodate your guests, that's the best way.  Don't make them pay.   No one said you had to drink just because you hosted an open bar at your own wedding.  It's polite to provide your guests with everything they need.  I'm not a vegetarian, but I would be a ***** if I didn't provide my vegan friends with an alternative meal choice.  Same with the bar.

Answer 4

my wife and i don't drink our families know that. we had our wedding and reception at a baptist church so the question never arose. once they left they did what they wanted to.

Answer 5

How about you get the open bar for your friends and family that do drink, and you and your bride don't have any?

Just because you don't drink doesn't mean your families and friends shouldn't.  Don't make them deal with a cash bar to impose your beliefs on them.

Answer 6

If you want alcohol at your wedding, do a cocktail hour. If you don't want alcohol, you are not obligated to serve it at all.

Answer 7

Maybe you should put a limit on the alcohol for each person.  Like 3 drinks. I went to one wedding and they didnt have alcohol and the guest werent happy about it :P

Answer 8

If your having your reception at the church, chances are they don't allow alcoholic beverages anyhow, so you won't even have to deal with it.

You don't have to serve alcohol even at another hall or reception.

Answer 9

We went to a wedding last year where they had a 1 hour of free alcohol, then a cash bar.  No one minded and everyone had a great time.  Consider this!

Answer 10

Thank you for realizing that even though you don't drink, your guests are adults and can make their own decisions about alcohol.  If you don't want to do a full open bar or a cash bar, you could limit the beverages to non-alcoholic drinks and beer/wine only.  Or you can set a time limit for the open bar (like before dinner and 1 hour after the bar opens again after dinner) and have it cash bar after that time.

Answer 11

I am not going to have alcohol at my wedding either. I will just let guests know that. It shouldnt be that big an issue.