Shot bottles as favours with alcoholic family member

[daisyviolet]

My sister has been planning her wedding for the last 18 months, and the day is just around the corner. From the get-go, she'd planned on making mini glass bottles filled with various liqueurs/spirits as wedding favours after seeing it another wedding. She said it was a really fun way to get the party started/help the guests at each table bond.

She's now bought the bottles, the alcohol, the tags, and cute little personalised stickers. The problem is, last week, a member of our extended family (who we don't see often) revealed he was an alcoholic, but has been in recovery for some months now.

My sister isn't sure what to do. Her options look like this:
a) Give everyone the shot bottles, but fill his up with something non-alcoholic and label the tag 0%.
b) Give him something else in the bottle as the liquid may feel triggering, like sweets.
c) Ditch the whole shot idea and come up with something new last-minute.

She doesn't want him to feel self-conscious, triggered or patronised. But at the same time, I know she doesn't want the stress of having to come up with something else this close to the day just to accommodate one person. Wise mumsnetters, what would you do?

Surely you just don’t drink it. People don’t want sugared almonds or a wine glass with the date of the wedding either but people still have them as wedding favours.

Some people are really over thinking this.
Alcoholic relative aside, if someone doesn’t want a shot they don’t have to drink it. Someone else would be glad to have an extra I’m sure. Absolutely no need for alcohol free versions of the favours. I’m sure there will be alcohol free options for the main drinks.

I’ve had sugared almonds, honey, and a pin badge as favours before- none of which I liked but didn’t feel at all offended-just appreciated the gesture and passed them on to someone else.

It’s nice you’re considering the relative’s needs-I’m sure he‘ll let you know the best option.

Hope she has a lovely wedding.

People seem to be assuming that guests will be expected to neck these shots at the table. Some will, some won't ... some will get left on the table, others might be partial to a couple more and will help themselves, some might take them home.

No point in tying yourself in knots trying to please everyone. I'd go with the alcoholic shots OP and everyone can do as they wish with them.

Your uncle will already be in an environment where there's a lot of drinking going on, it's his choice as to whether he can cope with that or choose not to attend.

I've been to a wedding with these and they were very well received.

I really hate the idea that you need a drink to have a good time, so it's a no from me.

This

Congratulations on your sister’s marriage.
she sounds like a decent person to be so concerned by another‘s vulnerability in this issue.
I had a dear friend who had a decade long struggle with alcoholism - she’s lucky to have survived and is presently sober. As a result of supporting her with that I no longer give alcoholic gifts to anyone I don’t know well whereas once my default would have been to have given wine to teachers, etc. My experience with my friend made me realise that I have no idea what struggles people may have with alcohol.
From my own standpoint in this position, I’d rethink the shots (you have no idea who else may have this going on privately) or even just skip the favours altogether - I honestly cannot remember any favours I’ve been gifted at weddings. I can’t even recall what I did for favours at my own wedding.
I hope the wedding goes off beautifully and that your family member‘s recovery goes really well. X