We went to a wedding this weekend and the couple advised everyone ahead of time that the wedding was going to be a dry wedding. We appreciated knowing this in advance because for a wedding around 2 hours away, we would have gotten a hotel room, but since we had a hunch it was going to be a short night, we saved the hotel money.
The bride's parents were calling the shots and because the couple was allowing the parents to pay the parents dictated the rules. A group of the 20 somethings had a plan to have coolers in the cars and provide their own drinks. The bride's mom had the couple spread the word that they would not be allowed back into the reception if anyone did this. Not quite sure that she could call the shots in regards to what people do in their own cars, but whatever.
This is where the "what NOT to do comes in"- I brought my own water bottle in, as I had gastric sleeve surgery done and have to constantly drink, and I add protein to my water. 3 times I had people come up to me telling me in different forms that the wedding was a dry wedding. I explained that I knew that, and thanked them for the information. I tried to be polite until the last one came up and told me it would be better if I dumped out my water and filled it with the water they had there because people thought I had alcohol.
If you choose to have a dry wedding, that is your choice, however, please do not try to control the guests. It is rude.
The reception started at 6 PM and by 8:15 the place was pretty much cleared out with the exception of the bridal party. The bride was pretty peeved that practically everyone left after dinner.
