Wine only?

Beer and wine only is a pretty popular combination. I would suggest adding the beer as well, since many people don't like and/or can't drink wine (sulfites). Did he provide a reason for wanting a dry wedding? If it's because he's afraid of people getting to intoxicated, then.....people can get just as drunk off wine. A professional bartender is your best defense against people getting too drunk, as they know when to cut people off. If it's the cost, beer & wine is definitely much cheaper than full open bar with liquor.

View Quoted Comment He’s conflicted based on spiritual reasons. We both view the subject of alcohol consumption differently. Since wine is more traditional with formal dinners, we floated the idea of serving wine only to appease some of the guests that do drink. This is one of the last undecided details of our wedding and it has me very stressed.

View Quoted Comment If he's comfortable with wine only as a compromise then go with that. Granted these are my own beliefs, but I feel like the reception is you hosting your guests and thanking them for attending your wedding. You, yourself, do not need to partake in the alcohol, but it is a relatively common component of a wedding reception. That being said, no one is going to storm out in a huff if you have a dry wedding (I hope lol).

I'd see if he'd maybe be alright with wine and beer just because that's a common bar package and it may be easier to book that way. I don't see why anyone wouldn't be able to do a wine-only package, but I've always seen wine and beer as sort of the "baseline" option.

I agree with everyone here regarding asking for a beer and wine package. It’s your day so the decision is totally up to you though! I just know most venues view bar packages as basically with liquor (including beer and wine) or without liquor (just beer and wine). I don’t know if wine only would be an option but it’s super easy to ask your venue.

This is also kind of a "know your crowd" type of situation. In our circles, we could MAYBE get away with wine/beer only but we have so many other people that would prefer spirits, like a lot of our friends prefer like vodka club, or similar cocktails, so an open bar was a must for us. But, if like your fiance, a lot of your guests may not drink because of religious reasons, then I think you'll be fine with wine. Maybe see about adding beer maybe one seltzer option, to give a little variety for people who can't drink wine.

I think that's fine to have wine only

I agree with everyone on adding beer. It’s tough because of your belief me but you are supposed to be catering food/alcohol towards your guests since they are taking the time to come to your wedding and not everyone drinks wine

To me, I think it also depends on if you're doing dancing and how long your reception will go for. My wedding didn't have dancing and I've also been to a few without it. All of those were dry weddings. In my opinion, if there's no dancing and its a reletivley short reception, there is really no need for alchohol. If its a longer reception with a dance floor, than I agree with the comments above saying beer and wine is a good option. I really does come down to 1) knowing your priorities 2) knowing your wedding style and 3) knowing your crowd.

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This is very good advice and I agree completely.


If your reception is short with no dancing and a number of your guests don't drink, dry or wine only would be okay. If you know most of your guests prefer beer and liquor and you are having a longer reception with dancing, I would suggest serving both beer and wine.

I would be on your side on this not many guys are wine drinkers mabey beer and wine

I think just wine would be fine. If people don't want wine, they don't have to drink, but wine tends to be very popular. I suggest having at least one red and one white. I don't think beer is necessary.

I would try doing a beer/wine only option for the reception.

You need to get on the same page because it is both your wedding and fiancé’s. It gets practice in for other major decisions you will face when you have to compromise and can’t pick one side or the other. In this case, fiancé wants dry and you don’t so you have agreed on wine. Instead of running it by internet strangers who don’t share the views (and dry weddings for some illogical reason are considered poor hosting on WW even though there are legitimate reasons why that would be considered as the go-to option such as religion or a group of recovering alcoholics) mention it to your guests who will be attending. Although to be fair, a guest should not and does not pre-approve the bar selection.



Many people don’t drink wine for any reason (they don’t like the taste) so make sure you have a variety of non alcoholic options such as lemonades, teas, soda, etc.

View Quoted Comment Thanks for your input Michelle. I was primarily looking to see if anyone has heard of a wine-only wedding, since I have not. Obviously, this is something my FH and I are diligently discussing amongst ourselves.

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Kelsey, what did you end up doing? Neither the bride (our daughter) or groom or our immediate families drink alcohol. We volunteer at church as youth leaders. We have seen the damaging impact of alcohol on countless families and have chosen to live "dry" due to our ministry to them. However, we have a minority of wedding guests who probably never attended a wedding without alcohol and we want to be good hosts. We are hosting an oceanfront daytime wedding in an exclusive Newport Beach, California venue. So, the lack of alcohol has nothing to do with expense. Our daughter's wedding will cost more than the full, open bar nighttime weddings at other venues. We opted for a daytime wedding because our daughter has been to too many weddings where a couple of drunks spoiled the spirit of the event and the evening. She has been a bridesmaid in 2 separate weddings in which an alcohol / guest incident brought tears to the bride on her big day. I was thinking to serve champagne, mimosas and Bellinis. Another option is wine only. Somehow, adding beer seems to cheapen the atmosphere of the day. (elegant, oceanfront, live instrumental only music)....I would love to hear about your decision.

Debbie, I recomend you have a dry wedding if your daughter wants one.
My parents and grandparents both had dry weddings. I'm less religeous, and was convinced reading articals and forums on wedding wire that it would be shocking and inconciderate to have a dry wedding or cash bar. My caterer said the last 10 weddings she did have all been cash bar.
I suspect the guests who are offended if you have a dry wedding, and the people who would cause a probem if you did provide alcohol are the same people.
If the people who drink run younger, a member of the wedding party can arrange an afterparty.