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Alcohol for Sunday brunch reception?

BeebopalooaBeebopalooa
First Comment
in Wedding Etiquette Forum
My FI and I don't really want alcohol at our reception because we don't drink, we have a lot of alcoholics in both of our families who could get a little crazy, and we are on a very tight budget and can't really afford it. I've discussed this with other people before and had a lot of them tell me that it's rude to not serve alcohol, but I've also heard that it's strange to serve alcohol at the time we'll be having our wedding (Sunday in the early afternoon/late morning.) What's the right call here?
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Re: Alcohol for Sunday brunch reception?

  • leglesspirateleglesspirate member
    Knottie Warrior 10 Comments Combo Breaker
    Do what you can afford to do. If you cannot afford mimosas or Bloody Mary's, don't do it. But if you really, really, really don't want alcohol, do not be forced into it. Especially if you can't afford it. I vote for you guys just not doing it since you don't really want to anyway.
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  • StephBeanWed61502StephBeanWed61502 member
    2500 Comments Third Anniversary 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    It's not rude to decide not to serve alcohol, as long as you are hosting other drink options.  While drinks like Bloody Marys and mimosas are somewhat typical at a brunch reception, they are by no means required.  Just make sure you have a variety of non-alcoholic options for people and it should be fine.
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  • amys325amys325 member
    500 Comments 5 Love Its
    It's definitely not rude if you don't have it. 

    But honestly, I wouldn't travel very far or stay very long for a alcohol-less, sunday brunch reception.
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  • BeebopalooaBeebopalooa
    First Comment
    We're definitely planning on having sparkling cider at the very least. Thank you guys, that really helps!
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  • violet355violet355
    10 Comments
    btw...if you decide you'd like to have booze, some towns have ordinances that restrict serving alcohol on sundays until after 12pm (like the town that i work in).  So you could be in the clear anyway, if your Sunday morning brunch ends around then, or not too long past 12.
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  • QueerFemmeQueerFemme member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_alcohol-for-sunday-brunch-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:7863c0b9-13c1-4049-bcb3-bb9118a1b4faPost:5695352a-66b5-49e6-95cc-0e10ff9f0b49">Re: Alcohol for Sunday brunch reception?</a>:
    [QUOTE]btw...if you decide you'd like to have booze, some towns have ordinances that restrict serving alcohol on sundays until after 12pm (like the town that i work in).  So you could be in the clear anyway, if your Sunday morning brunch ends around then, or not too long past 12.
    Posted by violet355[/QUOTE]

    Your town restricts serving alcohol at a private event?   I thought those ordinances only restricted SELLING alcohol during certain times.  So, if someone is at my house, I can't give them a beer before noon ?

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  • brilibby4brilibby4 member
    1000 Comments
    While I would certainly appreciate a nice mimosa at a brunch reception, I wouldn't be offended if it wasn't an option. 
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  • LDubHawksFanLDubHawksFan member
    1000 Comments 100 Love Its Second Anniversary First Answer
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_alcohol-for-sunday-brunch-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:7863c0b9-13c1-4049-bcb3-bb9118a1b4faPost:adff9f60-9bd7-47af-a14c-ecfbd31d33cd">Re: Alcohol for Sunday brunch reception?</a>:
    [QUOTE]We're definitely planning on having sparkling cider at the very least. Thank you guys, that really helps!
    Posted by Beebopalooa[/QUOTE]
    I would not be offended,  although I would absolutely go for a mimosa if it was an option at a Sunday Brunch wedding.  I think on top of cider, just have an array of fresh juices and everyone will be appeased just fine!

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  • goobersinlovegoobersinlove member
    500 Comments 5 Love Its
    PP's covered it. Don't forget the coffee though!
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  • mkruparmkrupar member
    5000 Comments Third Anniversary 5 Love Its
    You're fine to have a dry wedding, but do it because you and your FI don't want it, don't use your alcoholic family members as an excuse. They're grown adults, responsible for their own actions. It's rude of you to simply assume they'll get tanked at your Sunday brunch wedding. If they're in recovery they have to learn to function in society surrounded by alcohol sometimes. That's part of recovering from the disease.

    That being said, we had a Sunday brunch event and had exactly what PPs mentioned, mimosas, champagne punch, bloody marys, and screwdrivers. No one thought it odd to have alcohol at that time of day. That's what those types of drinks are made for.
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  • xos0inlovexos0inlove member
    10 Comments
    I agree with some previous posters -- we had a brunch reception and opted for bloody mary's, mimosa's & champagne sangria. Nobody thought it was odd to have these drinks at such an early hour (11AM reception). Some type of alcohol is usually expected for a wedding reception, but definitely not required. If you don't want/can't afford alcohol then don't have it, but if you decide you would like to provide something, host some of "morning-time acceptable drinks." Not having an open bar is completely fine..just don't go the cash bar route.
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  • violet355violet355
    10 Comments
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_alcohol-for-sunday-brunch-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:7863c0b9-13c1-4049-bcb3-bb9118a1b4faPost:58704a6e-d609-41a4-8535-7b1bb4d7ec0b">Re: Alcohol for Sunday brunch reception?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Alcohol for Sunday brunch reception? : Your town restricts serving alcohol at a private event?   I thought those ordinances only restricted SELLING alcohol during certain times.  So, if someone is at my house, I can't give them a beer before noon ?
    Posted by cmgilpin[/QUOTE]

    it's selling alcohol.  not in your house, but if your reception is not at your house, then you may be restricted by the town ordinance.  i call it serving, since i'm a server, and that's what you'd call it at a restaurant.
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  • brenda2011Wed139476brenda2011Wed139476
    10 Comments
    I understand your situation, becasue the same applies to me.  I won't be serving alcohol due to budget, and also because the reception is at my church.  I don't think it's rude to not serve it, if that is your choice.  For someone to not want to come because there is no alcohol is rude.  If that happens they aren't there for the right reasons.  I have alcoholics in my family, all they care about when they get to a function is where the closest bar is.  I have even had some say to me, if you have it at the church we can't drink.  It's your choice, your day.
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