MovieChat Forums > Four Weddings (2009) Discussion > 'But There's No Liquor!'

'But There's No Liquor!'

posted 11 years ago by jabell
12 replies | jump to latest

When I grew up, the first weddings I attended were in our church's (Presbyterian, middle of the road) social hall with cake, punch, maybe finger sandwiches, and no alcohol. I was a little surprised to go to a wedding in a fire hall and find liquor being served!

There are brides who for one reason or another (mostly religious but occasionally because of the rules of the venue) don't serve alcohol at their weddings. And there is always at least one bride who complains about that; she often will mark the wedding experience down for that very reason.

Why must there be alcohol at weddings? We had an open bar at my daughters' weddings because it was expected, but I would have been just as happy either with no alcohol or with beer and wine only. I'm not a drinker, and, as the mother of the brides, I wouldn't have had to pay for it (drinks at the reception are the groom's family's responsibility according to etiquette).
I do think cash bars are wrong, especially if the guests aren't expecting it and may not have brought enough money with them. At least one bride has had a cash bar because she herself doesn't drink and either didn't want to pay for it because it would blow the budget or didn't want the guests to get drunk and cause problems.

I wish it were more acceptable not to have alcohol at weddings, but it is what it is!

Boo Hoo! Let me wipe away the tears with my PLASTIC hand!--Lindsey McDonald (Angel)

[–] Sulalee 11 years ago

I notice that its the East coast brides that make an issue about dry weddings on this show. I'm in Texas where dry weddings are plenty, but it is a nice treat to go to one where they serve cocktails.

[–] ZGlass 11 years ago

Drinking and eating are huge social activities that often go hand in hand. Sometimes cocktails allow people to relax and loosen up a bit more (more people on the dance floor). I don't know, without drinks and/or good food, a wedding is really only going to be a good time for the bride and groom, to everyone else a wedding is really just a party.

[–] spongebobislove 11 years ago

My husband and I had a dry wedding and everyone had a great time! I live in Alabama, so there are plenty of dry weddings here!

I would never deduct a score because they served alcohol at a wedding, so I don't think that it's fair to deduct points because of the fact that they didn't. If that's what the bride and groom want, you respect that.

[–] Izzybella13 11 years ago

Personally, I don't think I would deduct for a wedding that didn't serve.alcohol. But I can understand why some women may think it takes away from the overall experience. Not always because they can't drink but vecause the wedding doesn't have the atmosphere that they like in a wedding and in their eyes alcohol may have been able to solve it. a wedding can be boring if there is no alcohol but it can also be boring if there is alcohol. I don't think alcohol is the make it or break it piece. But I can understand why if a wedding without alcohol is boring why some guests may think alcohol could have made it better. Either way as long as the couple is happy that's all that really matters.

[–] beetiesmom 10 years ago

I would absolutely deduct for no liquor----if I attended a dry wedding (and, boy, would it be DRY!), I'd probably attend the ceremony, and then go home. Sorry, just my opinion.

[–] Izzybella13 10 years ago

That's okay with me, afterall it is your choice and no one is forcing you to go. But, and correct me if I am wrong, by you saying that it seems that you care more about free (typically) alcohol than celebrating the couples relationship. If your best friend got married and had a dry wedding would you seriously not go to the reception because there is no alcohol?

[–] beetiesmom 10 years ago

If she were my best friend, then I think I'd be close enough to her to let her know I'd be sneaking in my own wine! And I stick to my opinion~~~~a dry wedding would be OK...for awhile, then people'd be booking it to the door.

[–] jabell 10 years ago

I think there are some religions which are against alcohol (Muslim, for example, and some denominations of Protestantism) and most of the wedding guests would not expect to find alcohol at the reception. It is possible to have fun without drinking, believe it or not!

Boo Hoo! Let me wipe away the tears with my PLASTIC hand!--Lindsey McDonald (Angel)

[–] OldFriendOfTheChristys 10 years ago

I would never deduct a score because they served alcohol at a wedding, so I don't think that it's fair to deduct points because of the fact that they didn't.

As much as I enjoy alcohol at wedding receptions—and would never dream of having a wedding reception without it—I’d never penalize a bride for keeping her festivities dry. However, if you have alcohol at your wedding reception but it’s a cash bar, we’ve got problems. If you offer beer and wine for free but charge for cocktails, that’s fine. But if there’s alcohol present and none of it is complimentary, that’s tacky.

[–] velcronewsletter 10 years ago

in the british series, you'll find very few who had dry weddings there, alcohol is drunk aplenty in most weddings and getting drunk tends to happen more often than not. it's normal here. but i still think it's rude to deduct points for not having alcohol at a wedding. it's a personal choice

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] hihi_hellokitty 10 years ago

I would be very weary deciding on liquor at my wedding because unfortunately one side of my family is very Irish and the other korean. Also my boyfriend's family are prone to create scenes when drinking.

It would be a very hard decision because it's not a party without alcohol, but on the other hand is it really necessary? Do I want the drama?