How to throw a dry wedding that won't p*ss off your guests

Recent years have seen many people embrace sober curiosity and a damp lifestyle – and it feels as though the culture is catching up, too, with more and more ‘dry’ and alcohol-free events popping up. 

Now, dry weddings are on the rise, with Google searches for ‘weddings without alcohol’ increasing by 40% in the past year while searches for ‘dry wedding’ were up 69%. Not to mention, the hashtag #drywedding on TikTok has more than 3.2 million views. 

While alcohol-free weddings are the norm for many, and a lot of guests are there for the love, pictures and memories, there are definitely some people who see weddings as a chance to get drunk on free booze and hit the dancefloor – and that’s valid!

However, says Jess Martin, party planning expert at Ginger Ray: ‘As people become increasingly health-conscious and couples look to cut costs, we expect to see this search interest in alcohol-free weddings culminating in far more sober-curious weddings, whether that is a fully teetotal wedding or events that prioritise those not drinking.’

If you want to throw a dry or damp wedding, you might be worried about disappointing your guests.

While you should remember that it’s your day and you can do whatever you want, there are some ways you can make sure your guests have the best time, no alcohol necessary. 

Tell guests in advance

To avoid any out of pocket comments or disappointment on the day, be sure to let your guests know in advance that you plan to have a dry wedding. 

‘Depending on how you have sent out your wedding correspondence, this might be with the invites or with further information on the venue or requests for dietary requirements,’ says Jess. 

Get creative with your entertainment

‘While going alcohol-free might be the norm for you, for many guests it won’t be and they might need a little help getting into the party mood,’ says Jess.

‘Therefore, it is more important than ever to ensure you are incorporating enough entertainment into your schedule to keep guests engaged and the dance floor full.’

Don’t compromise on style

Alcohol-free doesn’t have to mean boring, and while your usual soft drink glasses are a bit naff, that doesn’t mean you can’t mix things up.

‘Presentation is everything when enticing your guests with non-alcoholic drinks options,’ says Jess. 

Be sure to buy some funky or fancy glassware and decorations that suit your colour scheme. 

‘Add some edible flowers, citrus or herbs or pick some decorative straws or drink stirrers and get creative,’ says Jess. 

However, make sure you prioritise substance over style 

Finally, remember that just because something looks good doesn’t mean it’s going to taste good, and guests are more likely to rave over a delicious tasting mocktail than a martini glass filled with lemonade. 

‘Alcohol-free beer and wine is a great option but might not be that exciting,’ says Jess.

‘We recommend serving some bespoke mocktails – delicious, eye-catching and a brilliant excuse to make a moment with a DIY menu to display near the bar.’

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