Another Wedding Spinoff--Alcohol at Reception

[Cantw8]

Granted, I'm not the biggest drinker in the world (I would guess I average about 2 drinks every three months), but I can't understand why you would need to tell people if alcohol were going to be served or not. To me, if it's available (cash or open) it's a treat, but not something that would be important to know beforehand.

That's how I feel about it also.

 

[CPanther95]

This says it all. Common mistakes made by the host of a cookout: The top mistake is not having enough cold beer. 2nd addresses the perception that "Cookouts are about beer, period"

“A BBQ is as much about standing around drinking as it is about grilling lots of food. Keep a cooler stocked with lots of beer and rosé. Have enough ice in the cooler, and enough ice for cocktails. Get your drinks in order before you worry about the food.”


http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/common-mistakes/article/cookout-common-mistakes

 

[Turn the Page]

I don't think you need to tell people IF its available, but if you are planning on having a cash bar you should let them know that so they can come prepared with cash.

At my first wedding my ex would not let us have any alcohol because none of his parents drank and the assumption was if we had any alcohol there some of the friends wouldn't come because they would be uncomfortable in that environment.

I thought that was nuts then and I think it's nuts now. but I guess some people are like that.

 

[BrianL]

This says it all. Common mistakes made by the host of a cookout: The top mistake is not having enough cold beer. 2nd addresses the perception that "Cookouts are about beer, period"

“A BBQ is as much about standing around drinking as it is about grilling lots of food. Keep a cooler stocked with lots of beer and rosé. Have enough ice in the cooler, and enough ice for cocktails. Get your drinks in order before you worry about the food.”


http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/common-mistakes/article/cookout-common-mistakes

"Come to Homer's BBBQ! - The Extra B is for BYOBB."
"What's that extra B for?"
"That's a Typo."

 

[Gumbo4x4]

There is no way in hell I can sit through a baby shower without a cocktail! Kidding!
But I cannot imagine hosting a party where adults will be present and NOT serving liquor.

Baby showers, bridal showers (held at restaurant or country club)
Going to a twins 1st birthday next weekend and there will be kegs.
Not sure I have ever attended a dry party except for alcoholics.

Meh, around here unless it's a BBQ or an evening affair, alcohol isn't likely to be served. I would think a baby shower would be awkward with alcohol flowing & the mom-to-be not really being able to partake at the same level as the guests.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Seems like there would be a lot of drinking and driving going on if every event you go to has alcohol.

I would love to have a personal breathalyzer so I could see exactly how much I could drink before I was legally impaired. But, unless I wait a while after one drink I feel a little too impaired to drive perfectly safely.

 

[CPanther95]

Seems like there would be a lot of drinking and driving going on if every event you go to has alcohol.

I would love to have a personal breathalyzer so I could see exactly how much I could drink before I was legally impaired. But, unless I wait a while after one drink I feel a little too impaired to drive perfectly safely.

Anyone who drinks should know their limits. If you are impaired after a single drink, you shouldn't drive - regardless of what your BAC might read.

 

[Disney Doll]

She sounds like a barrel,of laughs.
My sister is the same. She was never a big drinker but her husband is an alcoholic so she's developed a disdain for any drinking. I guess it's easier to blame the alcohol than the man.
We went on an girls trip to Food and Wine a few years ago. Before we left I asked about any lunch pairings she might be interested in. Omg, I got a mini lecture about we could drink in her presence but she wouldn't be participating.
It set a wonderful tone for the trip.

Probably s bad idea to take someone who doesn't drink to the Food and WINE Festival.

 

[bcla]

Seems like there would be a lot of drinking and driving going on if every event you go to has alcohol.

I would love to have a personal breathalyzer so I could see exactly how much I could drink before I was legally impaired. But, unless I wait a while after one drink I feel a little too impaired to drive perfectly safely.

A lot of these events are at hotel ballrooms with a large proportion of guests staying at the hotel. I've booked a room at the hotel where our company party was held.

 

[Disney Doll]

Granted, I'm not the biggest drinker in the world (I would guess I average about 2 drinks every three months), but I can't understand why you would need to tell people if alcohol were going to be served or not. To me, if it's available (cash or open) it's a treat, but not something that would be important to know beforehand.

I think way back when the question was if its a cash bar should you let guests know beforehand, because many folks don't bring a lot of cash to a wedding.

 

[mummabear]

That's really interesting - different regions, different traditions/ideas.

Here, alcohol and kiddie parties don't mix. I don't think most parents in our area would feel comfortable dropping off kids at birthday parties where alcohol was going to be served. I wouldn't think the host would be comfortable being responsible for a bunch of kids while alcohol was being served to the adult guests, either. One unattended drink that Aunt Christine accidentally left on the coffee table and little Johnny thinks it's his fruit punch would be a nightmare, especially if the parents are not at the birthday party. But, again, where something is commonplace in one area, isn't in another and vice versa. If everyone is comfortable with it, then there's no problem.

At baby showers, I can see it being more commonplace than kids birthday parties to have lighter alcohol being served - because it's mainly all ladies who are legally allowed to consume alcohol (not kids). But, again, here it isn't common and most baby showers take place in the late morning or early afternoon.

If it isn't a party where the main focus is the children and the party is later in the day (late afternoon/night), it is typical for alcohol to be served.

Ours aren't drop off parties. We are friends with the parents and they stay as they are like family.
Drinks are put on the bar out of kids reach, and by this age they are smart enough to know the difference between their Ariel paper cup and my wine glass

 

[BrianL]

Probably s bad idea to take someone who doesn't drink to the Food and WINE Festival.

I never drink and I go to F&W every year. The Food part more than makes up for it. It's way cheaper too!

 

[sunshinehighway]

Probably s bad idea to take someone who doesn't drink to the Food and WINE Festival.

The plans were made before she decided to not drink. She wasn't a big drinker before but did have wine and a cocktail occasionally before her husband went off the rails.
She wanted to go. Besides It's not like the point was to go and get drunk just because it's a food&wine festival.
For the record, I don't care that she didn't want to drink. It was the judgy attitude that was the problem.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

A lot of these events are at hotel ballrooms with a large proportion of guests staying at the hotel. I've booked a room at the hotel where our company party was held.

I think for a lot of us, that's just not the case for such parties. Birthday party, bridal shower, or baby shower would be times when 100% of the guests go home after it's over, and most of them in their own cars. For a wedding, again the majority go home. And those that don't still have to drive somewhere 90% of the time to get to wherever they're staying.

 

[bcla]

I think for a lot of us, that's just not the case for such parties. Birthday party, bridal shower, or baby shower would be times when 100% of the guests go home after it's over, and most of them in their own cars. For a wedding, again the majority go home. And those that don't still have to drive somewhere 90% of the time to get to wherever they're staying.

It generally helps to have someone who agrees not to drink. My wife hates driving, and I'll consume alcohol. In that case I wait until I feel good enough to drive.

There should be alternatives. I've been to various wineries, and I've seen people arriving for tours in buses or even limos that waited. I made a quick search and there are services that can provide shuttles for wedding guests who might not want to drive.

 

[georgina]

My DD has arranged a shuttle which will make several runs between the designated hotel and reception location.

I don't think a few drinks over the course of a 5 hour wedding dinner/reception would prevent many from driving.

Showers among my family/friends are usually afternoon events and do not involve large amounts of alcohol. I provided prosecco at the bridal shower I hosted, for a toast, and was at a restaurant shower for brunch and ordered a mimosa, but I don't see people drinking to excess at those types of events.

 

[DawnM]

Probably s bad idea to take someone who doesn't drink to the Food and WINE Festival.

Are we talking about the Disney Food and wine festival? You can certainly enjoy the food with the wine. My kids loved it. We got at least one dish from every single area and shared and each tasted everything. They want to go back!

 

[nugov2]

BBQ = beer and soda available for drinking where I'm from.
In fact, any time soda is appropriate, beer is always an option for adults.

Yes, yes yes!

I don't equate food with alcohol. I eat most meals without alcohol.

Inviting people to a bbq then not serving bbq, would be a big deal.

But I don't invite people to alcohol parties. So not serving alcohol wouldn't be a big deal.

I guess it really comes down to, what do people who expect alcohol to be served, do when it isn't?

Hmmm an alcohol party....I like it!

I honestly have never been to a party with adults included in the guest list that didn't include alcohol. Even our brunches have mimosas. That said I'd drink what was offered. The funny thing is I couldn't recall the last time I saw a friend of family member drunk at a party that had children there. At an adult party, yes....but not falling down sloppy, embarrassed the next day drunk. I think most people really do drink responsibly.

 

[bcla]

My DD has arranged a shuttle which will make several runs between the designated hotel and reception location.

I don't think a few drinks over the course of a 5 hour wedding dinner/reception would prevent many from driving.

Showers among my family/friends are usually afternoon events and do not involve large amounts of alcohol. I provided prosecco at the bridal shower I hosted, for a toast, and was at a restaurant shower for brunch and ordered a mimosa, but I don't see people drinking to excess at those types of events.

Depends. In most states if someone breaks a traffic rule or gets in an accident, having measurable blood alcohol is classified as impaired driving. The legal consequences may not be as severe as driving while legally drunk, but that might not matter to an insurance company. Being buzzed after one drink may be enough for an impaired driving citation.

The legal level for drunk driving in Europe may be considerably lower than in North America.

 

[RedAngie]

I don't salt my burgers, but I do season them.

Montreal seasoning is my favorite for burgers. A far second is Old Bay seasoning.

I'm a traditionalist, so I've got no problem with requiring a bride that wears white to either be "pure" or to put a large number in red on the front of the veil showing how many times she was "unpure". Then when the veil is lifted up and over for the kiss, it represents a washing away of those indiscretions.

Pretty sure that's how it's done everywhere.

Maybe the impure bride should wear a giant scarlet letter on her white gown. S, or W, or T, or I'm sure there's an apt adjective for every letter of the alphabet.

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Why do you think I started this thread??? Things were stating to get a little stale.