How To Plan A Sober Wedding

Among millennials, "sober curiosity" is on the rise — and that means that big life events, like weddings, are increasingly sober, too. A survey by Nielsen in 2019 found that 66% of millennials are keen to reduce their overall alcohol intake. Given that a 2017 study from wedding planning website The Knot found that the average cost of a wedding reception bar was over $2,300, a dry wedding can represent a not-insignifcant cost savings, as well as be more comfortable for sober soon-to-be-newlyweds. If you're planning a wedding celebration that reflects your commitment to sobriety, you're not alone.

"Dry weddings and events are gaining traction," Lauren Grech, co-founder and CEO of LLG Events, tells Bustle. "Sober events should be respected, and that's why we're so supportive of their increasing prevalence." But planning to have a sober event that's historically alcohol-heavy may present some difficulties, from navigating social pressures to dealing with the expectations of caterers and guests alike.

Weddings are alcohol-heavy events in many cultural traditions, so it may raise a few eyebrows to have a dry event. "Not everyone has the same enthusiasm when you take away their liquid courage for the dance floor," Grech says. So if you're planning a dry wedding, you need to make preparations not only for an excellent event, but also to forestall any concerns that it won't be as fun, elegant, or romantic as a wedding with free-flowing champagne. (Spoiler alert: it will be just as lovely, if not more so.)

1. Communicate Clearly That It's A Sober Wedding

Grech tells Bustle that it's important to make sure that guests know clearly that the wedding, reception, or both will be dry before they turn up. "Whichever your choice, be sure to indicate it on your stationery and wedding website so your guests know what to expect beforehand," she says. That way, guests won't be caught off-guard or turn up expecting a traditional boozy toast.

You can include an explanation of your decision to have a sober event if you choose, but you have no obligation to explain your decision; it's your day and your life together, not anybody else's.

Read the full feature in Bustle