Here's Your Permission to Have a Sober Wedding
Whether you're not a drinker or are on a sobriety journey, here's your permission to have a sober wedding. Whether or not to serve alcohol at a wedding is deeply personal. However, it is wildly expected in society today. Many wedding guests feel entitled to a free drinking experience when attending a wedding. There is so much pressure to serve alcohol that weddings aren't considered fun or acceptable as a sober event.
I want to provide you with some creative ideas on how to have a sober wedding that will ensure your day is fun and magical! You don't need alcohol to have a wedding to remember. Keep in mind that it may be easier to stay on a budget without the expense of alcohol. Check out our post about discussing a budget with your partner here. If you're worried about what people will think, you can also consider having a micro-wedding. That way, there is less pressure from guests about your decision. If you need more inspiration for a micro wedding, check out our post here. When choosing to have a dry wedding, make sure to surround yourself with only people who support your decision. Lastly, if you are on a journey of being sober, I am here to say I am proud of you! It is not an easy decision to make, and choosing to have a wedding that reflects that is admirable.
MOCKTAILS
Just because you choose to forgo alcohol doesn't mean you can't have a fun drink menu! Most bartenders can work with you on an exquisite mocktail menu, or you can scour Pinterest for ideas. To be honest, your guests will have plenty of fun with pretty-looking drinks. The options are endless, and you can make a crafted menu that reflects you in any way you want.
BUILD YOUR OWN DRINK BAR
Another idea is to make an open bar for different drinks and mixers. You can add any beverages, mixers, and garnishes and allow your guests to make their own signature mocktail or beverage. To further that idea, let your guests name their mocktails. You can have a polaroid camera and allow guests to take photos with their drinks. Write the name of the drink and ingredients and use that as a guest book or a keepsake to remember your guests' creativity. The best part is that guests of all ages can enjoy the experience!
LEMONADE STAND
If you choose to have a daytime wedding, you can opt for a cute lemonade stand. You could make it vintage and adorable with an assortment of flavoring options. Dress up your lemonade with personalized cups and accessories. This is an excellent option for summer weddings with a nice way to refresh your guests. You can make this an enjoyable family-friendly part of your wedding. (If you want, you could provide alcohol to spike the drinks if you desire a small amount of alcohol.)
COFFEE BAR
Another creative idea to help you have a sober wedding is implementing a coffee bar. You can have a brunch-themed wedding and have an assortment of hot and iced coffee and tea. I personally did this, and check out the post about my brunch-themed wedding for some ideas. You can do this in several ways, and you can have creamers and syrups. It would be awesome if you could find a barista friend to make this a bougie experience that mimics a coffee shop vibe. There's a lot that you can do to make coffee a show-stopping experience for your guests rather than a bar.
HAVE ACTIVITIES
The last idea we'll give you to have a fun, sober wedding is to make your wedding interactive. Make your reception into a class of some sort. Whether it's a dancing class, a cupcake decorating event, or a painting opportunity, you can have your guests focus on being together rather than drinking. (Option: You could have your guests bring their own alcohol if you're not ready to commit to a fully sober wedding).
There are several options to make your day unique, creative, and as sober as you would like. Just because you forgo alcohol doesn't mean your wedding has to be dull and lifeless. The more you make your wedding an experience of togetherness, the easier it will be to have a sober wedding. If you're here looking for wedding ideas, here's your permission to have a sober wedding. Happy Wedding Planning!
Until Next Time,