Ensure Your Wedding Guests Don’t Get Too Tipsy With These 10 Tips

You love your family, friends and future in-laws, but you don’t want to deal with the shenanigans that tipsy guests can get up to — especially at your own wedding.

While weddings are a time to celebrate and let loose, this can be done tastefully. Here are some ways to keep the heavy drinking at bay during your reception.

 

1. Create Signature Mocktails

It’s common for the happy couple to offer signature cocktails, but a way to encourage guests toward a fun, nonalcoholic beverage option is by also providing his and her mocktails. Nearly any of your favorite drinks can be transformed with club soda and various juices. Some popular options include:

• Shirley Temple: The Shirley Temple was made for the famous child actor of the same name and is a classic mocktail with grenadine, lemon-lime soda, ginger ale and a maraschino cherry.
• Virgin sangria: Sangrias are popular for their fruity flavor. A nonalcoholic version can be easily crafted with sparkling water and fruit juices.
• Virgin margarita: Most everyone loves a good margarita. Use the traditional ingredients, but add sparkling water instead of tequila and spruce it up with an extra flavor to make it yours.

 

2. Stop Serving Alcohol at a Certain Point

Consider closing the bar a couple of hours before your send-off, especially if you have a long reception. The safety and well-being of your family and friends are extremely important at the end of the night. After all, driving under the influence can range from a $300 fine to 10 years in jail if an injury or fatality is involved.

If you don’t want to fully close the bar, you can only offer nightcaps at a certain point, such as bourbon, cognac or spiced rum. You can also opt for nonalcoholic drinks like fruit-infused water, coffee and soda.

 

3. Offer Food Throughout the Night

It’s important to have food in your stomach when you drink. In addition to your meal, consider offering appetizers or snacks for people to grab if they get hungry or feel nauseous. Carb-based and salty foods are ideal options for individuals to have when they drink, as they soak up alcohol and prevent them from getting too tipsy.

4. Serve Drinks in Smaller Glasses

Sometimes, tricking people into thinking they are having more than they actually are is the key to keeping alcohol consumption low. Instead of the traditional wide wine glasses, ask your venue to serve drinks in tall, skinny champagne glasses. They provide an elegant look with a lot less volume.

You can also ask your caterer or bartender to only fill the glasses half full instead of the traditional three-quarters volume. While guests may get the same amount of drinks as they would with a larger glass, they will consume much less.

 

5. Don’t Offer an Open Bar

To avoid overdrinking altogether, don’t have an open bar at your wedding. This way, if people want to drink, they must pay for it themselves. A cash bar will turn people away from the more expensive options, especially those with strong, top-shelf liquor.

This doesn’t mean your guests have to pay for everything they drink. You can purchase a couple of cases of wine and kegs of beer beforehand to provide free options. This strategy can prevent people from taking too many shots or choosing liquor.

 

6. Keep Water Flowing

It’s important to hydrate when drinking. Ensure there is water at every table and around the venue to keep people hydrated and healthy. This is especially important for those who are cutting a rug on the dance floor — breaking a sweat while only consuming alcohol can be extremely dehydrating and can lead to some not-so-fun consequences.

 

7.  Trust Your Bartender’s Judgment

Be honest with your caterer or bartender about your concerns, and have them watch out for people who have been up to the bar one too many times. The bartender has the power to cut people off from hard liquor or alcohol altogether. The professionals have experience doing this in a way that does not offend or embarrass guests.

 

8. Make a Ride-Share Code for Your Guests

Popular transportation apps like Lyft or Uber offer ride-share codes for large events like weddings. If you are worried about too many people attempting to drive after drinking, set up a code for them to use.

Making this option easily accessible will encourage people to take advantage of a free ride home. While you will have to pay for their transportation, it is important for the safety of your loved ones and those on the road around them.

9. Designate Designated Drivers

If you don’t have the budget to pay for several Lyft or Uber rides, designate responsible drivers before your wedding to look out for those who have drank a lot and take them home. After all, it’s your wedding, and you deserve to leave the venue stress-free.

 

10. Host a Daytime Wedding

A way to ensure no one drinks too much is not to offer alcohol at all. While this is totally acceptable at an evening wedding, an easier way to get around it is to host your ceremony during the day.

This is a unique and fun way to embrace the warmer weather months and hang out with friends and family. Instead of a bar, hire a coffee cart with signature drinks for a fun twist on the traditional festivities. You can also have various outdoor games for those who prefer not to dance.

 

Make Your Wedding Fun and Memorable

Implement these tips to keep the reception drinking at bay. No matter what, your guests will enjoy their time at your wedding because they love you.

When it comes down to it, your wedding is a day for you and the love of your life. It can be tempting to try and control every aspect, but at the end of the day, you’ll be married — and that’s all that matters.

 

Author Bio: Oscar Collins is the editor-in-chief at Modded, where he writes about a broad spectrum of topics. Follow him on Twitter @TModded for frequent updates on his work.

 

 

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