how on earth...

LadyAvalith

how on earth do you tell your alcoholic family that you are not going to have alcohol at the wedding..... one i cant afford it.. two only half my family is alcoholic, three that half gets all crazy when they drink and finally the half that doesnt drink looks down on the half that does... not to mention i do not want my two drunk cousins fighting in front of my in-laws... not pretty. my mother has already asked me to reconsider being that she is on the alcoholic side of the family but i know my father would flip his lid.... someone please help me figure out what to tell these people! my decision is final i am not having alcohol. they just refuse to accept it.

Madisonpenny

Yup, agree with the PP.. it you wnat a dry wedding then have a dry wedding. I hate that people seem to think you NEED alcohol to have a good time.

mdoyle1217

I agree that you don't have to tell them anything. If they're only using your wedding as an excuse to get drunk again, then you're better off anyway. AND...if someone doesn't come just because you DON'T have alcohol, then you don't need them there anyway!! Stick to your guns.....and your budget!!

achiduck

Listen to Milkduds. She is very smart. 

LadyAvalith

i think all of you are smart because as many times as i have thought this it just didnt seem to click until someone else says it. i think its a good idea to not tell them ahead of time that will avoid the issues with the extended family

bridezillatobe2009

you have no booze (be prepared for people to sneak it in) and those people who can't celebrate without it probably won't stay long. Do what you want and stick to it!

thesequel

You may want to mention something about rather than "cocktail hour", it is "appetizers and lemonade" or something like that.  Just of more an FYI to your guests...without telling them the whole truth.

SouthernBelleLA

I'm not having alcohol at my wedding. My parents are very conservative/religious. They are paying for everything, but said if FI and I would like alcohol, that would be okay as long as we are paying for it. I said no for two reasons. One, his family gets loud and obnoxious when they are drinking. VERY loud and obnoxious. Two, my parents have been so willing to pay for my dream wedding and not try to force me into anything I don't want, that this is sort of my gift to them.

You don't have to announce it formally, but you might want to let it spread word-of-mouth. I told his parents and they told the rest of his side of the family. The only reason I said this, was for me personally, I did not want a bunch of whining and complaining at my reception about the lack of alcohol. I figure everyone can get their complaining out of the way now.

Ultimately, it's your wedding. Anyone that would throw a fit about not getting what they want at a free party, or try to make you feel bad about your special day is rude and thoughtless, in my opinion.

EmilyW416

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_earth?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:c4f15ef7-7b84-495d-9534-f302268a5adaPost:4ab1761c-013d-4b62-8844-7324d0b75094">Re: how on earth...</a>:
[QUOTE]you have no booze (<strong>be prepared for people to sneak it in</strong>) and those people who can't celebrate without it probably won't stay long. Do what you want and stick to it!
Posted by bridezillatobe2009[/QUOTE]

I agree, if yuo keep it on the DL I think less people will sneak it in but....someone will.