Helpful Tips for Planning a Dry Wedding Reception

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Helpful Tips for Planning a Dry Wedding Reception

Diversity of dessert with fruit

Although a dry reception is not the usual choice for many newlyweds-to-be, some discover that they are gravitating towards it for several reasons. Those recovering from alcohol dependency may welcome the lack of temptation and find that it is easier to enjoy themselves. Couples trying to keep costs down might also decide to omit beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails from the menu. Finally, one’s religious beliefs or personal preferences could call for a nonalcoholic reception. Regardless of your reasons, a dry reception doesn’t have to be a dull or boring one. A few suggestions may help you plan a fun affair for you and your guests. 

Desserts In the AM &PM-Hold a Morning or Afternoon Wedding 

Because drinks are customarily served at evening wedding receptions, some of your guests may notice their absence. One way to make it less obvious is to plan your celebrations during a different part of the day. Brides Online recommends shifting your nuptials to the morning or afternoon. This opens up a wide range of food possibilities, such as a breakfast, brunch, or lunch reception. Your guests will have a great time sans alcohol, and you can sweeten the deal with appetizing, unconventional choices for noshing.  

A Distraction With Desserts May Be Key

If moving your reception to earlier in the day doesn’t appeal to you, shifting the focus to something unique and unexpected can cause your guests to not even miss the drinks. A desserts-only affair is a lovely distraction, especially when distinctive coffees and teas are paired with your sugary delights. Alternatively, you might opt to make your meal the centrepiece of your celebrations, leaving your guests amazed at the food and making drinks the furthest things from their minds. Offbeat Bride even suggests hiring a superbly talented barista to craft caffeinated drinks for your party, transforming it into entertaining and sober festivities. The bloggers at The American Wedding propose even more uncommon inclusions at your reception, such as offering a candy bar for mixing and matching sweets or deliciously tempting non-alcoholic “mocktails.”

Another possibility to take the attention off the missing alcohol is to include spectacular entertainment options. While wedding disc jockeys have become more common in Canada, who says you can’t have a live band at your special night instead? Why not select a special act, such as a comedian or an illusionist, to entertain friends and family after your ceremony? Whatever you decide, make sure that it’s exciting and interesting enough to keep their attention. 

Should I Tell My Guests?

While you’re planning your dry reception, the question of whether to inform your guests will likely come to mind. Opinions differ widely on this, depending on who you ask. The American Wedding proposes telling attendees in advance, to avoid any assumptions that could result in their disappointment. However, you might decide that not informing your friends and family ahead of time may be for the best. If you have potentially problematic guests who might try to sneak in alcohol or get intoxicated beforehand, they won’t be prepared for the lack of drinks and you may avoid a potential kerfuffle. Also, keep in mind that family and friends with kids may make alternative child care arrangements if they believe alcohol will be served. In those cases, you may wish to clarify whether children will be welcome at your nuptials and encourage them to attend anyway.

Fun Without the Bubbly 

Planning a dry reception takes a bit of work, but the results can be enjoyable. Be sure to consider your entertainment, food, and dessert options as well as non-alcoholic alternatives for toasting such as sparkling fruit juices. If carefully arranged and executed, your teetotaling affair can be a pleasing celebration of the shared loved and lifelong devotion between you and your partner.

 

 

Helpful Tips for Planning a Dry Wedding Reception
Diversity of dessert with fruit

Although a dry reception is not the usual choice for many newlyweds-to-be, some discover that they are gravitating towards it for several reasons. Those recovering from alcohol dependency may welcome the lack of temptation and find that it is easier to enjoy themselves. Couples trying to keep costs down might also decide to omit beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails from the menu. Finally, one’s religious beliefs or personal preferences could call for a nonalcoholic reception. Regardless of your reasons, a dry reception doesn’t have to be a dull or boring one. A few suggestions may help you plan a fun affair for you and your guests. 

Desserts In the AM &PM-Hold a Morning or Afternoon Wedding 

Because drinks are customarily served at evening wedding receptions, some of your guests may notice their absence. One way to make it less obvious is to plan your celebrations during a different part of the day. Brides Online recommends shifting your nuptials to the morning or afternoon. This opens up a wide range of food possibilities, such as a breakfast, brunch, or lunch reception. Your guests will have a great time sans alcohol, and you can sweeten the deal with appetizing, unconventional choices for noshing.  

A Distraction With Desserts May Be Key

If moving your reception to earlier in the day doesn’t appeal to you, shifting the focus to something unique and unexpected can cause your guests to not even miss the drinks. A desserts-only affair is a lovely distraction, especially when distinctive coffees and teas are paired with your sugary delights. Alternatively, you might opt to make your meal the centrepiece of your celebrations, leaving your guests amazed at the food and making drinks the furthest things from their minds. Offbeat Bride even suggests hiring a superbly talented barista to craft caffeinated drinks for your party, transforming it into entertaining and sober festivities. The bloggers at The American Wedding propose even more uncommon inclusions at your reception, such as offering a candy bar for mixing and matching sweets or deliciously tempting non-alcoholic “mocktails.”

Another possibility to take the attention off the missing alcohol is to include spectacular entertainment options. While wedding disc jockeys have become more common in Canada, who says you can’t have a live band at your special night instead? Why not select a special act, such as a comedian or an illusionist, to entertain friends and family after your ceremony? Whatever you decide, make sure that it’s exciting and interesting enough to keep their attention. 

Should I Tell My Guests?

While you’re planning your dry reception, the question of whether to inform your guests will likely come to mind. Opinions differ widely on this, depending on who you ask. The American Wedding proposes telling attendees in advance, to avoid any assumptions that could result in their disappointment. However, you might decide that not informing your friends and family ahead of time may be for the best. If you have potentially problematic guests who might try to sneak in alcohol or get intoxicated beforehand, they won’t be prepared for the lack of drinks and you may avoid a potential kerfuffle. Also, keep in mind that family and friends with kids may make alternative child care arrangements if they believe alcohol will be served. In those cases, you may wish to clarify whether children will be welcome at your nuptials and encourage them to attend anyway.

Fun Without the Bubbly 

Planning a dry reception takes a bit of work, but the results can be enjoyable. Be sure to consider your entertainment, food, and dessert options as well as non-alcoholic alternatives for toasting such as sparkling fruit juices. If carefully arranged and executed, your teetotaling affair can be a pleasing celebration of the shared loved and lifelong devotion between you and your partner.

 

 

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