Non-alcoholic reception?

[mrconfused]

My DF and I are planning our wedding and thus our reception dinner.

All those plans are coming along fine, however my DF would like a non-alcoholic reception as in literally NO alcohol for dinner. This means no wine, no basic beers. Just Soft drinks and juice.

She says its because she doesnt want to call an ambulance because a child could accidentally drink, or because of an intoxicating accident.

But all the people who we are inviting would never dream of giving children alcohol or drink to excess. They all would keep an eye on their drinks and the empties as well!

ATM we are NOT seeing eye to eye on this one..

Any help?? please???


:confused:

[Lastcenturymum]

Well I can understand her concerns, but won't someone we supervising the drink? Is she more worried people will drink too much and not be responsible for their children?

It IS possible to still have fun without alcohol, ya know!! We didn't have much at our reception - probably about one bottle wine per table, but it was a lunchtime wedding! We had fun!!

If you ration out the amount of alcohol no one should get intoxicated.

Depends on the venue though I guess.

[Rabbity Babbity]

TBH, I think your DF shouldn;t have to worry about these things and is taking the responsibility for people.

People who bring kids should supervise them and be responsible for them. And anyone drinking should be responsible for themselves.

Has something bad (intoxicated people or children, accidents, so on) happened at a previous family function?

[2girls&1boy]

She says its because she doesnt want to call an ambulance because a child could accidentally drink, or because of an intoxicating accident.




:confused:


TBH this is a really odd thing to be worried about in my opinion. As you said none of the adults would be giving any children alcohol and they would be watching their own drinks - it isn't a nightclub environment where drinks are left just anywhere.

Plus not everyone is going to be drinking - if she is so worried then maybe she can nominate some non drinkers to just keep an eye on things. There are way more relevant things to worry about on your big day then something that will probably never happen anyway.

[canberramomma]

Could you have an early wedding and a brunch/lunch reception? That way the lack of alcohol wouldn't seem odd.

It's obviously a worry/issue for her and you should probably try to talk it through.

Weddings are notorious for people letting their hair down and all sorts of shenanigans occurring. Perhaps that's more the worry - that a usually responsible bunch of people will turn into a horde of table dancing hooligans?:laughing:

[hailsntwang]

I think a compromise is in order.

As previously suggested allocate a slab of beer or a few bottles of wine to each table.

That way there is only enough for a few drinks each and no one will get absolutely hammered.

It sounds to me as if she is really letting the planning of the wedding get to her and is starting to freak out (not over getting married but about it not going right on the day) big time!:o


If they will be recieving alcohol over the bar perhaps set a bar tab per table. Say, If you're having a table of 10, work it out to 3 drinks each.


I hope you come to a decent compromise, there's something about weddings that makes the alcohol taste better:D I guess because it's celebrationey.

[Ana Gram]

I don't see the problem really. The last thing you would want to deal with on your wedding day is a bunch of people who have one too many, and even though you say no-one you have invited would ever dream of it, it does happen.

Why do you need alcohol? It is possible to have a great time without it.

[sweetseven]

Personally, I opted for no bar tab at my reception, because I didn't want people getting drunk, and if it is "free" then some will drink to excess. We still supplied everyone with a single glass of wine, for toasts, and the venue had a bar that guests could choose to purchase their own drinks at. And that still resulted in one guest getting drunk.

Personally, I would've rathered no bar at all, but the venue kept it open because they wanted the profits from the alcohol sales.

However, I think using Maison for toasting and having no alcohol available at all would be great. Chances are however, even if you stipulate no alcohol, someone will bring their own.

[shelle65]

I recently went to a no-alcohol wedding (the bride and groom belong to a religion that doesn't allow alcohol) and a lot of the non-religious guests brought coke bottles/Mcdonalds drink cups with spirits mixed in. They got a lot more drunk than if a small amount of wine or beer had been provided.

I agree with the others that a compromise of providing a small amount is a good idea.

[Mathermy]

I think a day function would be a great compromise that way you will not feel embarassed by the lack of alcohol because it will seem appropriate.

I am going to go against the grain and say that whilst I do not personally drink very often, and I barely drink a lot when I do (one-two tops), I think it is polite to provide anything that you feel will make the guests feel more comfortable and enable them to relax and enjoythemselves. Granted alchohol isn't necessary to have a good time or relax but it is a fairly common and enjoyable activity for a lot of people and is generally available at adult evening functions.

Just like I would offer an ashtray, to someone who smoked, vegetarian food for those who choose not to eat meat etc. For me, when playing host it is about my guests rather than my own personal preferences.

[Mathermy]

I recently went to a no-alcohol wedding (the bride and groom belong to a religion that doesn't allow alcohol) and a lot of the non-religious guests brought coke bottles/Mcdonalds drink cups with spirits mixed in. They got a lot more drunk than if a small amount of wine or beer had been provided.

I agree with the others that a compromise of providing a small amount is a good idea.
:eek:, all class!:laughing:

[Refresh]

I think a day function would be a great compromise that way you will not feel embarassed by the lack of alcohol because it will seem appropriate.

I am going to go against the grain and say that whilst I do not personally drink very often, and I barely drink a lot when I do (one-two tops), I think it is polite to provide anything that you feel will make the guests feel more comfortable and enable them to relax and enjoythemselves. Granted alchohol isn't necessary to have a good time or relax but it is a fairly common and enjoyable activity for a lot of people and is generally available at adult evening functions.

Just like I would offer an ashtray, to someone who smoked, vegetarian food for those who choose not to eat meat etc. For me, when playing host it is about my guests rather than my own personal preferences.

:iagree:

Maybe a brunch kind of service with a single glass of champagne for the toast would be lovely.

The giving children alcohol thing does seem to be an odd thing to worry about....has something happened before that has worried her?

[jag5000]

I'm not a big drinker but I would find it odd going to a wedding without any alcohol at all. To me it's just part of the festive atmosphere. If you had religious beliefs etc I could understand it.. but, yes, as the others have said I find her reasoning strange!

[Bunnyhugs]

The giving children alcohol thing does seem to be an odd thing to worry about....has something happened before that has worried her?

:iagree: seems like a very strange thing to be concerned about...

[lulu 2]

I think its fine to ask for no alcahol at a wedding ,I went to one where the only alcahol was the champers for the toast and no one complained that they could not get drunk the food was good and we were there to celebrate a wedding not a drink fest and everyone was sober for the drive home.

[Shanaynay]

Perhaps she has bad experiences with alcohol that you are not aware of (not necessarily her personally, maybe a family member).

I think it's completely reasonable to have no alcohol. It may not be the 'done thing' but traditionally many guests see weddings as a time to get completely sh!t faced, embarrass themselves, and ruin the bride and groom's evening :barf:




I recently went to a no-alcohol wedding (the bride and groom belong to a religion that doesn't allow alcohol) and a lot of the non-religious guests brought coke bottles/Mcdonalds drink cups with spirits mixed in. They got a lot more drunk than if a small amount of wine or beer had been provided.

How disgusting and rude! :banghead:

What is wrong with people? Why do so many people seem incapable of enjoying themselves and eachother's company without the 'help' of alcohol?? :confused: :thumbsdown:

[OneNowOneLater]

One of my reasons for not wanting alcohol there, is the fact that at my besties wedding back in march, DD got injured a few times by some people who didnt look where they were going at all... eg, the groom (was kinda drunk) was jumping around and jumped right on top of her!!! Right before the bouquet toss too!

I had suggested the compromise of Drinks (champers etc) with breakfast and during the photos (We're having an arvo wedding, and the reception is for dinner)We're going to be in a hall, that arent licenced for alcohol. And honestly i dont really see the point in having to pay for licencing as well as all of the alcohol.

[tomtom]

The establishment you have your wedding at still is responsible for the 'Responsible Service of Alcohol''. They are required to refuse alcohol service to anyone they deem has had to much, even for prepaid alcohol. You can mention this to the organiser and they should be able to look after it for you. Everyone who serves alcohol in hospitality is required to do their RSA certificate.
In the year that I worked at a winery on the peninsula, we had muiltiple weddings every weekend, we never had to call ambulances for over intoxicated wedding gueats or drunk children.
Admittedly you get your young ones (18) that can go silly, but we would refuse to serve them. We never left bottles on the table, it was always served. This is something else you could request.
Request what you want, don't be shy, they should cater to all your needs.

[Yummy_Mummy]

where are you having your wedding? would u be catering the alcohol? or is it somewhere that has a bar?

is it possible to make people BYO or pay their own? people might be less likely to drink as much if they have to pay for it themselves

[sandy_1902]

My DF and I are planning our wedding and thus our reception dinner.

All those plans are coming along fine, however my DF would like a non-alcoholic reception as in literally NO alcohol for dinner. This means no wine, no basic beers. Just Soft drinks and juice.

She says its because she doesnt want to call an ambulance because a child could accidentally drink, or because of an intoxicating accident.

But all the people who we are inviting would never dream of giving children alcohol or drink to excess. They all would keep an eye on their drinks and the empties as well!

ATM we are NOT seeing eye to eye on this one..

Any help?? please???


:confused:

im not even engaged yet but im having no drinking at my reception either.. i just dont like it.. i feel it should be more about the company (and yeah its going to be kid friendly)

and if anyone brought in drinks from the outside i would ask them to leave.

sorry its my/her/whoevers day it is and if thats what they want then imo everyone should respect that.

[OneNowOneLater]

Honestly, i didnt even want toasts done at the Engagement Party. However, that went ahead even with everyone knowing my opinion.

[jaidynsmylilman]

I dont really drink but I will have a few to get me relaxed. Personally i would feel embarrassed if there were no alcohol at my wedding and no I dont have family that act like idiots on the drink but I will be making my wedding BYO and only softdrinks tea coffee and some alcohol provided for toasting etc etc. Its a celebration and as for kids I personally dont want a wedding with kids running around and whinging and whining.
I know u can have fun without alcohol but I can tell u one thing alcohol seems to relax people and get them in the mood for partying and enjoying themselves. even if u just provide house wines and softdrinks then people wouldnt get so shattered.

[nugget]

HI there

HONESTLY?? If I rocked up to a wedding reception and there was no alcohol I'd be a bit surprised. It might even come accross cheap...even though that's not your DF intentions.

We personally chose not to invite kids at all to our wedding -just the 3 that were in the bridal party. But those 3 were the responsibility of their parents, so I didn't worry about them for 1 second the entire night....and that's how it should be on your big day.

I think she is over-thinking things and worrying too much about things that aren't her responsibility.

good luck with it all!
I'm sure you'll come to some kind or agreement.