A dry wedding

I am baffled by the amount of energy, tears, family feuds, and dollars that go into alcoholic beverages at a wedding. I am constantly asked: How much alcohol do we serve? What do we do---we can't afford to give everyone unlimited alcohol? Do we have to host a full bar? Can we just serve beer and wine?
There is so much emphasis on alcohol consumption at a wedding that we are loosing the very meaning of the wedding itself sometimes.

There was a group of planners, wedding decorators and venue specialists that got together recently to visit about events and the number one topic was alcohol served at weddings. We all agreed that we have seen our share of drunk grooms, brides throwing up outside the venue because of drinking too much, entire wedding parties fighting and crying because of the amount of alcohol consumed, and in some cases, entire families coming to the reception totally in their cups and can't wait to down some more! We are drinking our way through the memories!

When did the wedding cease to be a celebration of love and joy and become a get-drunk-for-free event? "But if I don't serve alcohol at my wedding, no one will have a good time!" Really?
That means that every time you go to a sporting event, you have to drink? Bowling? Out with friends? Shopping? Playing with your kids? Going to family celebrations, a friend's house?

Don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with serving alcohol at a wedding or a celebration. In fact, we all know that the right wine paired with the right foods can enhance a meal and set it far above the ordinary palate. But how we serve alcohol and how much we serve should always be the thing we pay attention to.

When did it become the norm to serve keg beer until the wedding party can't see straight? When did it become the norm to have a cash bar so that people can imbibe as much as they please at a wedding that you have graciously hosted; paid for the meal, the decorations, the favors, the cake, the programs, the music, etc. just so your guests can drink to excess?

If all the memories that the couple has on their video tape is you sloshing your drink in your hand and slurring your words, do us all a favor and stay home. Those memories they can do without. I have been to so many weddings where guests have ruined the bride's dress, decorations, had the police come to break up fights, guests hauled to jail because they drove drunk, and hurt feelings happen because of poorly chosen words in a moment of drunken stupor. Please stop the madness.

Weddings are a time for celebration and love; romance, ambiance, warm feelings, and thoughtfulness. If your hosts have taken the time to pay for a good meal, create beautiful decorations, given you gifts to take home, and have hired great music to dance and listen to, then don't insult them by imbibing to the point of excess. Have some respect for the couple and yourself. Thank them for inviting you, wish them a long and happy life, then go home and be thankful that you have great friends that invited you to a great party and paid for everything!