No Alcohol at reception

I know I am planning way ahead of my game, seeing as how my fiance & I do not have a date YET, but hope to get married next Spring in March or April. I actually find that I am going to have a problem of my own. after doing some contemplating and getting some general ideas about what I want on MINE & My FH day, I believe I have decided to go with a church wedding at my church and a church reception & just have a champagne toast. I was discussing ideas with my bridesmaids, and one did not seem to mind, but another one requested that I give her own bottle of champagne. I do not like that statement because I really just want to have a more spiritual, dry reception, with close friends and family type of wedding. What do I do? Also, no alcohol & having a church reception lowers the cost. Very tight budget, we are paying for it on our own. I just find it disrespectful to "sneak" in your own alcohol or request a bottle & get drunk on church premises.

Got a question....

I read a LOT of what all the different opinions you guys had to say, I, for one am a STRONG advocate of NOT having alcohol @ the wedding. What happens if you have a fiance (which now btw she doesn't drink anymore), your side of the family, her side of the family and the rest of the world to have alcohol??

I personally won't fold under pressure, but do you think it will be too extreme to have everyone searched and taken a BreathAnalyzer Test before entering the reception hall with the help of local PD?? The reason for this is just like many of what you guys have been stating... you have a dry wedding and other people "Pre-Party", or smuggle it in. I really don't want to deal with drunk people @ my wedding. My concept that someone else stated is, if they have a problem with it, then they shouldn't be there....

Josie - I think you're missing something here. Just because 70 percent of the world is religious doesn't mean that 70 percent of the world is religiously against drinking alcohol. I will claim Jesus as my savior until the day I die, but I also like to enjoy a few beers, a couple of glasses of wine, and I have a big thing for Kentucky Bourbon. Take a step back and think about the idea that not all Christians find alcohol abhorrent. Jesus didn't...

Dear guests, the groom and I are peer pressuring you to enjoy an evening free of alcohol... Its ok if your not having a good time, you can go and get drunk somewhere else !

Doesn't really matter if you say it or not. And, just as a societal observation, for those who say they've never been to a wedding without alcohol, or those who have never been to a wedding with alcohol, keep in mind we associate with like-minded people. If you don't drink (often), like me, then you probably don't hangout with people who like to get drunk. If you enjoy drinking, then chances are your friends are all drinkers. Both of which are fine, provided you are not driving after drinking.

One more tidbit: If you provided alcohol, you are responsible for any injuries, deaths or incidents within or out of the facility you rent for your reception. No, you didn't force your guests to drink that much, you didn't encourage them to drive drunk and you didn't egg on the fight that did a few thousand dollars of damage to the venue, but you purchased the booze for your guests so legally you can be held accountable for anything that happens while under the influence. Whether your local authorities or a guest choose to, is their call. Just consider that and make sure to research your local and state laws specifically.