Got an invitation to your first ‘dry wedding' ever, or perhaps, pondering over a booze-free wedding yourself? Worried about the fun factor? Dry weddings can indeed be a quandary, but fret not, we're at your service…
There's an array of credible explanations for settling on a dry wedding. Could be a tight budget or a teetotaler bride, groom or guests, or possibly a ceremony rooted in a religious tradition that forbids alcohol. Let's clear one thing – it's your wedding and whatever reason you have, it doesn't need justification.
That said, it's essential to keep your guests in the loop if the wedding bar is going to be all about ‘mocktails'. Connect with them tactfully, and look for creative ways to boost the party vibe, ensuring the absence of alcohol remains a non-issue in your celebration.
Our friends at Be Inspired PR have got their troupe of planners and wedding virtuosos to spill the beans on the etiquette and expectations for guests and the couple navigating a dry wedding. These insights will reinforce your confidence if you've elected to forego alcohol. Discover refined suggestions on letting your guests know about the alcohol-free occasion and inventive options to enhance those trademark wedding mocktails.
If you're a guest who's never been to a dry wedding before, we have advice for you, too! Learn what to expect and what's acceptable behavior at your loved one's wedding. For instance, meeting friends at a bar before or after? Totally cool! Bringing a flask filled with vodka to the wedding? Sorry, not classy.
Here is our etiquette for hosting & expectations for attending a dry wedding…
Key Takeaways
- Communication is Key: Inform guests early about the dry wedding through invitations, your wedding website, and welcome signs to set expectations right from the start.
- No Justification Needed: You don't owe anyone an explanation for your choice to have a dry wedding. A simple note in the invitations or on the website is enough.
- Offer Variety: Just like a traditional bar, set up a mocktail bar with a wide range of non-alcoholic options such as fresh juices, kombucha, and curated sodas to keep the choice and fun flowing.
- Elevate the Mocktail Experience: Focus on presentation with specialty glassware and handmade garnishes to make non-alcoholic drinks feel special and exciting.
- Creative Beverage Solutions: Consider hiring fun beverage cart vendors like an old-fashioned soda bar or a boba cart to add an interactive element to your reception.
- Beyond the Bar: Plan alternative entertainment and treats like an ice cream bar or live entertainment to keep the party lively and engaging without alcohol.
- Consider a Spliff Bar: If you're open to cannabis and it's legal in your area, a spliff bar could be a unique alternative to alcohol.
- Rethink the Timeline: Dry weddings might end earlier, so plan accordingly with engaging activities and a standout meal to keep guests entertained.
- Dazzle with Dinner: Invest in a memorable dining experience with exceptional food and desserts to make a lasting impression.
- Entertainment is Everything: Hiring a cover band, aerialists, or other entertainers can add a wow factor that shifts the focus from the absence of alcohol.
- Set the Right Vibe: Tailor your wedding to reflect your personality, whether it's a relaxed campout or an elegant seated affair, without feeling pressured to mimic a traditional party atmosphere.
- Add an FAQ to Your Wedding Website: Address the dry wedding aspect in the FAQ section of your wedding website to help guests plan their transportation and expectations.
- Guest Etiquette: Meeting for drinks before or after is fine, but bringing your own alcohol to the wedding is a no-go. Respect the couple's decision for a dry wedding.
Make sure your guests aren't surprised.
“Dry weddings can be incredibly fun and amazing and in order to have both of those elements at a dry wedding, there are a couple of things to remember. Set those expectations EARLY and be INFORMATIVE! Guests are often disappointed arriving at a dry wedding because they were never informed. You can solve this by doing a few things. 1) Include the info on a details card in each guest's invitation suite. 2) Have it written out under the “info” tab on your wedding website! 3) Create a “Welcome to our Dry Wedding” Sign to display in the reception space where you can actually create specialty signature mocktails to be served for guests to enjoy!” – Naomi Bennett, Bowties & Bouquets
Don't feel obligated to justify your decision.
“Remember that you don’t need to explain yourself. There are several reasons why you may choose to have a dry wedding, and while you should definitely inform your guests to make sure their expectations are set up front, a simple line on the invitations and/or wedding website stating that it will be a dry wedding is all that’s necessary. This is your wedding day, so you don’t owe anyone an explanation about any of the choices you make! You wouldn’t provide reasoning for why you chose garden roses over peonies for your floral arrangements, so don’t feel obligated to provide background details over this decision either.” – AJ Williams, Founder & Creative Director, AJ Events
Give your guests a variety of non-alcoholic choices.
“One of the best things about having a bar at a wedding is that the guests feel like they have a choice. Whether it’s selecting one of your signature cocktails, their favorite mixed drink, or a glass of wine, guests like to be able to choose their preferred way to celebrate with you.
A dry wedding should be no different! Consider still setting up a bar for your wedding reception. But, nix the alcohol and stick to offering a variety of options to still let guests choose their favorite! Fresh pressed juices, kombucha, non-alcoholic ciders, lemonades, sparkling waters, curated sodas, iced teas…the list goes on and on! Offer up additional mix-ins, house-made syrups and garnishes the same way you would with a regular bar and guests will be so busy enjoying their passionfruit iced tea with fresh berries or guava lemonade with a citrus twist that they won’t even remember everything is alcohol-free!” – AJ Williams, Founder & Creative Director, AJ Events
Make those mocktails fancy!
“Don’t overlook the presentation! A Moscow mule is iconic only because of the signature copper mug it’s served in – it's part of the drink experience! Treat your guests to specialty glassware and don’t skimp on handmade garnishes or carved ice cubes. Non-alcoholic beverages do not have to equal plastic cups!” – AJ Williams, Founder & Creative Director, AJ Events
Hire fun beverage cart vendors.
“Get creative! There are still lots of ways to make it an interactive and fun experience for your guests. Maybe something like an old-fashioned soda bar, a boba cart, or fun make-your-own Italian soda station. Guests will love it and not miss the alcohol!” – Sarah Kuhlberg, Creative Director, Colette’s Catering
Focus on other fun party aspects.
“Dry weddings are a bit tricky, as many guests expect to come to a wedding, imbibe and let loose. No alcohol? No problem. Plan for some fun mocktails and stock the bar with options to keep everyone happy. Alternatives from drinks, to treats to activities, will keep guests distracted enough that they will be less likely to miss it.” – Nora Sheils, Founder Bridal Bliss + Co-Founder Rock Paper Coin
Consider a spliff bar!
“If you're opposed to alcohol at your wedding but a-okay with cannabis, consider setting up a spliff bar. We styled an entire shoot around this incredible Barbari spliff bar where guests could roll their own joints mixed with various beautifully scented botanicals. The inspiration also included a variety of other (legal) cannabis wedding ideas like THC chocolate favors, a cannabis-laced wedding cake, calming CBD tinctures & even vases that double as bongs (wait until you see how beautiful they are!)” – Claire Eliza, Editor-in-Chief of Bridal Musings
Rethink your wedding-day timeline.
“Dry weddings can be so enjoyable. But, they shouldn't automatically be planned with the same timeframes as a wedding with a full bar. First of all, a dry wedding should end a bit earlier. We find guests leave earlier, around 9 or 10 pm. Second, offer enough other creative and delicious options that they won't even remember there is no alcohol! Our ideas are an ice cream bar, an Italian ice truck, refreshing spa water and a coffee bar with all the fixings. Or, consider doing a non-alcoholic specialty mocktail everyone can enjoy!” – Valarie Falvey, Kirkbrides
Go wild with your dinner menu.
“I love a good tipple, it's true. But do you know what wows me more? An incredible meal! Worry less about the lack of alcohol and spoil your guests to an incredible, thoughtful meal with wild desserts akin to a trip through Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Your guests will remember the wedding meal of their life, not the lack of boozy drinks.” – Claire Eliza, Editor-in-Chief of Bridal Musings
Hire entertainment.
“If you are hosting a dry wedding, think of a way to focus more on entertainment. Anything from getting an amazing cover band to an unexpected aerialist. Give your wedding a wow factor where your guests will forget about the wedding being an alcohol-free wedding. Maybe even consider some fun interactive mocktails.” – Weddings by Susan Dunne
It's okay to set a different vibe.
“Don't feel the need to emulate a typical, raging boozed-out party without alcohol if that's not ‘you'. I've worked with numerous couples who aren't the party type that planned weddings with ‘introvert-friendly vibes'.
One real-life example: an adventurous campout wedding with a weekend of hiking, swimming, camping & cozy evenings by the campfire with ultimate chill vibes. Another couple of mine threw a swanky city wedding renting out a stunning mansion venue for their ceremony. That was followed by an evening of seated entertainment in a ballroom. (Think royalty watching theater in their own palace, it was amazing!)” – Claire Eliza, Editor-in-Chief of Bridal Musings
Add an FAQ to your wedding website.
“Having a dry wedding is perfectly acceptable and fine. If you do choose to go that route, let your guests know by adding the information to the FAQ page of your wedding website. It's helpful information for people to plan especially in regards to driving situations if the wedding is dry or not. To make things more exciting for guests, provide fun and delicious mocktails or flavored waters or fun flavored lemonades. It provides a fun twist on drinks without the alcohol.” – Kari Dirksen, CEO + Lead Planner, Feathered Arrow Events
For guests: Yes to after-parties, no to flasks.
“This advice is not to stop you from meeting up with friends prior for a few drinks. But, avoid bringing flasks or bottles in your car to imbibe during the event. This is just rude and disrespectful. Some couples choose to have a dry wedding because of their budget. Others do because of family situations (recovered or non-recovered alcoholics who are family members), and so on. So, respect the decision and if you would like to get drinks before or after the big event feel free.” – Nora Sheils, Founder Bridal Bliss + Co-Founder Rock Paper Coin
For more expert advice on all your trickiest wedding conundrums, visit our Planning section.
These tips were gathered by Be Inspired PR, a PR + Social Media Agency for wedding, wellness & lifestyle clients. With over 10+ years of experience, we’re here to take our clients to the next level! Find oodles of stylish wedding inspiration on their Instagram & Pinterest.
