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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

No alcohol wedding

1000 replies

KK05 · 02/01/2024 01:39

So I’ve just discovered that my friends wedding in 3 weeks is alcohol free. I was always expecting to pay for my own drink on the day but it turns out they aren’t having alcohol at all. This was a shock as they both enjoy nights out with alcohol and her hen was messy.

My issue isn’t the fact we can’t have a drink, I would still be going either way it’s that we’ve only just found out.

All in all we have spent almost £300 for a hotel the night before and night of the wedding. Night before was so we didn’t have to try and check in either after the wedding or try to squeeze it in at some point throughout the day. Would never have stayed for even one night if I knew I could drive. Too far for cabs/public transport but would have happily driven there and back. Think country estate. Plus it’s a hour away from home (bride and groom live same town as me). Trying to cancel so fingers crossed I get some money back.

There was nothing mentioned on the invites and nothing was said until last night and even then was just mentioned in passing.

My question is it unusual to mention this on invites? I’ve never been to a wedding with no alcohol so not entirely sure. I also know that a few people going could be doing with the extra money in the bank even if only staying one night or trying to arrange transport to and from the nearest town.

Would it be unreasonable to mention to the happy couple that they need to make people aware before the day? Or AIBU suggesting this?

She’s a very good friend if that helps and it’s not the no alcohol that’s the issue but the extra expense that we didn’t really need to spend. Money isn’t a huge problem for us but I’m still annoyed I’m out of pocket.

OP posts:
BillyNotQuiteNoMates · 03/01/2024 19:45

I doubt that 😂

UsingChangeofName · 03/01/2024 19:46

Absolutely staggering how many people commenting on this thread without actually reading (at least) the OP's posts and understanding what the thread is discussing. Hmm

StockpotSoup · 03/01/2024 19:47

Foreignmom · 03/01/2024 18:12

Quit moaning. Plenty of cultures don’t have alcohol at the wedding and don’t need to specify this in invites. Is friend from a particular culture or religion that would not usually have alcohol? Also hotels can usually be cancelled 3 weeks in advance. If you can’t, then enjoy an evening to relax and enjoy your friends wedding.

This was all spelled out in the opening post. It’s unbelievably ignorant of you not to have read even that much.

FreshWinterMorning · 03/01/2024 19:48

BillyNotQuiteNoMates · 03/01/2024 18:20

The point is, that of alcohol is a deal breaker to you, or if it plays a part in your decision making then the onus is on YOU to check things like that. In the same way that a vegetarian, or someone with an allergy will check what food is available. Or a disabled person will ask about parking, steps and access etc.
If you wouldn’t have booked a room, if alcohol wasn’t provided, then find out whether alcohol is provided before you book your room. As it is, alcohol IS available in another room, if people really feel the need to drink it, so I don’t understand why it’s so controversial. As I said, PERSONALLY I don’t think it’s that big a deal.

Edited

Really? You would contact someone who invited to you a wedding, to ask if it was going to be an alcohol free wedding?

Do me a favour. 😂 NO-ONE would do that!

MaggieFS · 03/01/2024 19:54

KK05 · 03/01/2024 19:11

I can't believe how much this has blown up.

Anyway I will be keeping the room. We will take some alcohol for the room and can use the bar.

Don't know much else from the B&G but I do know they are now starting to tell others as I've had messages about it.

How does everyone else feel?

Crazycrazylady · 03/01/2024 20:11

Itsdifferentnow · 03/01/2024 19:33

You mean, you are prepared to pay for two nights at a hotel because you expect to drink too much alcohol to be ablr to drive, but have just learned you will not be drinking alcohol so could drive up and back on the day and save the hotel bill? Am I understanding correctly?

Surely, if paying a hotel bill is a squeeze, you could just keep off the alcohol and be able to drive anyway?

Why does it matter so much when you are told it will be alcohol free if you were willing to pay for the extra night(s)? I simply do not understand why not having alcohol makes any difference, especially when you say money is not a problem. Just enjoy the night away and the hotel breakfast.

People make too much fuss about alcohol. Many people do not drink for a vast array of reasons. Life without people getting drunk is so much better! I can't help thinking that not having alcohol is really what is upsetting you or you would not have bothered to write this. As for, 'Would it be unreasonable to mention to the happy couple that they need to make people aware before the day? Or AIBU suggesting this?' Surely that would be unkind? To criticise her so soon before her important day? What good would that do?

I find this topic baffling. I had no idea that alcohol ran people's lives to this extent.

Oh yawn. You've clearly missed the point of the entire thread. Op has said she wouldn't have a single drink if she was going to drive so she decided instead she would stay over and have a couple of glasses of wine ( hardly shocking behaviour at a wedding) it then subsequently transpired that the bride and groom had decided on an alcohol free wedding but weren't telling people in advance so they would book unnecessary hotel rooms to get them a better deal.

No one here mentioned going on a bender only you.

Lisa46 · 03/01/2024 20:14

How sad so many people on here can't enjoy a wedding without alcohol.

Morgysmum · 03/01/2024 20:16

I wonder if, one of the parents or close family, have quit alcohol. Or become really nasty after drinking.
I knew I fella, really nice guy wouldn't hurt a fly, get a few drinks in him and, he would destroy a pub, because someone loo at him wrong. He was arrested a few times due to his drinking.
So maybe, they are aware this person is attending, so they are going alcohol free, to stop this from happening. Why not enjoy your hotel and have a drink afterwards, if you cannot get a refund.

lesdeluges · 03/01/2024 20:18

Some people can't and don't enjoy weddings WITH alcohol. Boring, long, formulaic things that they are, you'd need something to get you through it. Grin

FreshWinterMorning · 03/01/2024 20:20

Morgysmum · 03/01/2024 20:16

I wonder if, one of the parents or close family, have quit alcohol. Or become really nasty after drinking.
I knew I fella, really nice guy wouldn't hurt a fly, get a few drinks in him and, he would destroy a pub, because someone loo at him wrong. He was arrested a few times due to his drinking.
So maybe, they are aware this person is attending, so they are going alcohol free, to stop this from happening. Why not enjoy your hotel and have a drink afterwards, if you cannot get a refund.

Read the OP's posts. This is exactly that has happened. Someone close to them has an issue with alcohol and so everyone else is not allowed alcohol in the wedding. Absolutely ludicrous, and tbh I would not be arsed to go. To put the needs of 1 person who can't control their booze over everyone else invited to the wedding is pathetic. Also, as has been said, the bar will be open at a different part of the hotel, so people will just go there and no-one will be in the wedding room, and the person with the 'issue' will just find the bar anyway.

Fucking batshit. 😖

DaNcInGtEqUiLaCaT · 03/01/2024 20:38

Even though it's only an hours drive, treat yourself to the room and think of it as a mini break in a nice hotel. Have wine in your room, use the hotel bar and take your drinks into the wedding room, as I'm really sure everyone else will!

PlaidCushionProductions · 03/01/2024 20:42

The alcohol dependant person will probably have their own stash 😂
I guarantee the hotel won’t be happy by the lost revenue from a dry bar. They won’t hold back, if anyone wants it, they’ll sell it, it is part of the business model £ wedding spend. £ room spend, £ bar spend

OhmygodDont · 03/01/2024 20:49

Goodlard · 03/01/2024 18:56

You are my kind, it would be like asking if there was going to be fish at a pescatarian convention!

Best check there is even cake and dancing too. Don’t want to go and end up not getting a dance or a slice of the ole cake. Not like it’s the norm or anything 😂

bananamangoes · 03/01/2024 20:51

Id be popping back to my room frequently

how can they prevent the guests buying drinks at the bar?

IGotItFromAgnes · 03/01/2024 20:51

OhmygodDont · 03/01/2024 20:49

Best check there is even cake and dancing too. Don’t want to go and end up not getting a dance or a slice of the ole cake. Not like it’s the norm or anything 😂

Do people actually eat the cake at the wedding? Admittedly I’ve not been to that many, but I’ve only ever been given a slice to take home.

OhmygodDont · 03/01/2024 20:53

IGotItFromAgnes · 03/01/2024 20:51

Do people actually eat the cake at the wedding? Admittedly I’ve not been to that many, but I’ve only ever been given a slice to take home.

The Lastest two I attended have a cake for cutting and then muffins and cupcakes for guests to enjoy there and then or take back to their rooms whatever they wished. Also 11pm bacon rolls and sweet carts.

LittleBearPad · 03/01/2024 20:54

IGotItFromAgnes · 03/01/2024 20:51

Do people actually eat the cake at the wedding? Admittedly I’ve not been to that many, but I’ve only ever been given a slice to take home.

Yes they do - it’s usually served later in the reception

Goodlard · 03/01/2024 21:01

@OhmygodDont I don't need to dance to enjoy myself, or eat cake!

What is actually wrong with you???

InAPickle12345 · 03/01/2024 21:03

Lisa46 · 03/01/2024 20:14

How sad so many people on here can't enjoy a wedding without alcohol.

Oh my god... that's not the issue... read RTFT FFS!

DirectionToPerfection · 03/01/2024 21:04

It's frightening how many people seem incapable of reading the words in front of them before wading in with their totally irrelevant comments.

OhmygodDont · 03/01/2024 21:06

Goodlard · 03/01/2024 21:01

@OhmygodDont I don't need to dance to enjoy myself, or eat cake!

What is actually wrong with you???

You heathen. Next you’ll be telling me you’re really Amish. Despite the device posting on Mumsnet.

Im going to have to get the salts out. I just can’t possibly take anymore.

InAPickle12345 · 03/01/2024 21:09

DirectionToPerfection · 03/01/2024 21:04

It's frightening how many people seem incapable of reading the words in front of them before wading in with their totally irrelevant comments.

It's actually ridiculous... like another PP said down thread - all you have to do is read the OPs posts, there's (now) only 7, it's not like it's War and Peace!!!!!!

StockpotSoup · 03/01/2024 21:12

Do these people actually vote????

I’m not sure they should even be allowed craft scissors.

UsingChangeofName · 03/01/2024 21:21

Lisa46 · 03/01/2024 20:14

How sad so many people on here can't enjoy a wedding without alcohol.

How sad people can't read the thread (or a minimum of the 7 posts the OP has written, before posting.

Goodlard · 03/01/2024 21:21

StockpotSoup · 03/01/2024 21:12

Do these people actually vote????

I’m not sure they should even be allowed craft scissors.

GrinGrinGrin

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