Cans of pop to serve

32. Because you need alcohol.

You should lurk for a bit. This is a hot topic here. You're not going to get any support having a dry wedding.

Provide alcohol to your guests. It's not a kids birthday party

I think I have heard to estimate 2 drinks per hour for the first hour and a drink per hour after that.

Private User that estimate is for alcoholic drinks. Which OP needs to have so her guests are treated like actual guests.

@Sarah Makes me less scared for kids if most parties are like the ones you host! Lol

You do need at minimum beer and wine. As for cans of soda I usually over buy knowing it'll be drank eventually.

I have heard the 2 drinks in first hour and 1/hour after that applies even for non-alcoholic drinks. Maybe estimate 2/hour/person to be on the safe side? We are doing a mimosa toast for our morning wedding and then offering non-alcoholic drinks. I estimated 4/person since the venue shuts down the bar during the meal time.

Also, you may not get a lot of support but there are those who won't bash the choice of a dry wedding. So don't sweat the dry comments. Only you know your friends and family. Us and ours don't really drink anyway.

Really? I have more variety in beverages at my child's birthday parties. These threads are getting ridiculous. Cut your guest list and host your wedding properly.

We are having our reception at our church. We are not allowed to serve alcohol. This is not an option we are changing.

ALCOHOL, ALCOHOL, ALCOHOL!!!!

@sarah free flowing alcohol at my kids parties lol tons of children in one room, have a drink or lose your sanity lol!

I would over buy in the soda and water department they tend to go fast.

Serve alcohol.

I wouldn't expect a 4/5hr reception if there isn't any alcohol. I get your church doesn't allow it, but the dry weddings I have been to guests tend to leave early as people go elsewhere to quench their "thirsts".

Also be prepared for some really drunk guests. Most cash bars/dry weddings I have been to, people bring their own stash and get drunk in the parking lot, bathroom, etc before the ceremony even begins.

"Any suggestions?"

Yup serve alcohol.

I like sprite or club soda with my vodka.

Alcohol at a wedding isn't optional. Coke simply doesn't cut it.

#TeamNewVenue

Yeah, 4-5 hours isn't going to happen. The one dry wedding we unknowingly attended we left immediately after the cake was cut. Either serve alcohol or lower your expectations about your reception. It will not be a "party" atmosphere and people will leave earlier than you will probably like.

I would have one beverage with dinner. Something to wash down the cake.

And then I'd discretely leave.

So, 2?

I think you need to find a new venue. If you are using your church because it's free you need to budget and cut you guest list so that you can afford to properly host. I'd be pretty upset if I could have wine with my dinner. I'm an adult, let me have wine!

No one is staying 4-5 hours at a dry wedding.

Once dinner is served and a couple speeches and cake cutting, there will be a lot of people bailing. Not much else to do.