How to Enjoy a Wedding without Alcohol

Posted on November 8, 2024

How to Enjoy a Wedding without Alcohol

Generally, celebrations go hand in hand with alcohol, so if you’re newly sober you might be wondering how to enjoy attending a wedding when sober.

Whether you’re a guest or part of the ceremony, there are plenty of ways to enjoy yourself without having a drink.

If you’ve committed to sobriety, try the following tips to navigate booze-fuelled celebrations and still have fun. [1]

How to Enjoy a Wedding without Alcohol as a Guest

It can be difficult to attend a usually open bar wedding of friends or family, that involves a reunion between old circles of people.

You might be tempted to have an alcoholic beverage, but there are lots of other things to look forward to at a wedding such as the food, cake, dancing, speeches and other traditions.

Drinking is not the main event so there are many ways to avoid drinking alcohol, including many non-alcoholic options.

To prepare for attending a wedding, follow these next steps.

Bring a Sober Buddy

As your plus one, find a sober friend to bring along to the wedding to help you stay on track with your sobriety. Having someone else that you trust can offer you support and company. [2]

While other guests might be getting drunk, especially towards the end of the night, it can be comforting to have a friend who is on your level of (no) intoxication.

Prepare Your Favourite Non-alcoholic Drink

Coming prepared with your favourite non-alcoholic drink like a virgin margarita for the bartender will make ordering at the bar a quick and easy experience.

You won’t want to spend lots of time at the bar deciding what to drink, so if you have a favourite mocktail or soft drink, remember the recipe to tell the bartender. There are lots of alternative options for you to try.

Rehearse an Excuse

It can be uncomfortable to have to tell friends and family why you’re not drinking but unfortunately, this is a question you need to prepare an answer for.

Usually, people won’t ask twice, but you can tell them you aren’t drinking that night, month or any unspecific amount of time.

You can also tell them whatever you feel comfortable with, whether it’s due to an addiction, for medication purposes or medical reasons, religious reasons, or because you just want to feel more present.

But don’t feel like you have to tell them about an addiction if you would prefer not to. Just remember to rehearse an excuse in case you’re asked.

How to Enjoy a Wedding as a Wedding Party Member

If you’re a member of the inner circle of the couple getting married, there are many ways to still enjoy the day without alcohol.

You might feel like this is not as challenging since you’re around close friends and family who hopefully understand what you’re going through. [3]

But you can still use a different excuse if this makes you feel more comfortable.

As you’re all getting ready for the wedding, there might be alcohol already being offered around. Kindly pass on the offer or ask for a nonalcoholic alternative or some non-alcoholic cocktails. There are even non-alcoholic sparkling wines, so you don’t have to pass up on the taste of wine.

Champagne toasts are a tradition in a best man or maid of honour speech which you might feel you have to avoid. But again, no one will even notice if you opt for a nonalcoholic sparkling wine.

Finally, if the wedding is continuing long into the night and you feel you need a buzz to stay on the level of other guests or the Wedding Party, grab a coffee for a caffeinated buzz!

How to Enjoy a Wedding without Alcohol if You’re the Bride or Groom

If it’s your wedding day, you may feel pressure to drink but under no circumstances are you required to.

After all, it’s your wedding day so you can enjoy your wedding however you like to without alcohol, especially if you’re newly sober and recovering. [4]

The wedding is about you and your partner’s commitment to each other, not about alcohol.

First, instead of having to answer question after question from your wedding guests about your drinking status, have a framed announcement at the bar that says something along the lines of, “We aren’t drinking today but we invite you to enjoy your favourite drinks”. Or you could mention it already on the wedding invitation.

Or, if you don’t want to announce at all, just politely decline drinks from your guests whilst sipping your favourite non-alcoholic beverage!

If you’re finding it difficult to decline drinks, why not mention to the bartender to have any drinks bought for you by guests made non-alcoholic?

Sometimes couples create a signature drink or cocktail at their wedding, but there is no reason why this can’t be a signature mocktail. So get creative and come up with the perfect non-alcoholic concoction for your sober wedding!

One final idea could be to transform the bar area completely. You could swap this or add in a coffee bar, milkshake, fresh juices or smoothie station.

It is also completely your decision on whether you want to just have a dry wedding (alcohol-free wedding) where there is no alcohol at all. Make your dream wedding perfect for you.