Hi Cheryl,

We're not really having drinks either (I refuse to pay over a grand for a package!) We are going to have arrival drinks plus a little something for the speeches but during the BBQ, people will be getting their own! If I was you, I would maybe put something on the invites as then they have it in writing & nobody can say that you didn't tell them! xx

We're not having drinks with the meal,just an arrival and toast drink purely because half the ppl invited don't drink wine and I don't think it's fair for them to have to buy their drinks and the other guests get their share of the free wine,plus it saves us about £30 a table x

We're not supplying drinks either, only for the toasts. However whenever i've been to a wedding I always take money just incase. I think it's rude to assume that drinks will be provided! So i won't be putting anything about it with the invitations x

That's a brilliant little rhyme GC2B!! x

If your budget cannot stretch to it then they should be grateful they even have an invite and food, you could always put on the bottom of the invite that drinks are available at their expense and point out if it is a cash bar or if you can pay by card. We went to one last year and it was a cash bar, friends of ours were out there at the daytime event and had no money and had no way of getting any until we went out in the evening.

I love the rhyme to,think I'll steal it too x

I agree with barbie, are you providing any soft drinks instead? Even pitchers of water on the table so people can still have a drink with their meal.
Also are you doing speeches? Just thinking from a practical point of view, you don't want to announce you're going to make your speeches and have to wait ages for everyone to go buy a drink or have some people not have a drink for the toast

I think you can ask the venue for tap water which they will provide in a jug for the guests at no cost.

I'm sorry, but I don't think that's really acceptable.

Even at expensive venues, soft drinks only cost maybe £2 per head; I personally would save £100 elsewhere in the budget and provide at least 1 soft drink pp than have my guests buy all their drinks. I very much doubt you'll get any wastage providing one soft drink pp.

I think its a little ridiculous that this has now become the "expected" not only do you have to pay for a meal for all your guests but they now expect drinks too (and most of the time they expect lots of expensive drinks) Guests should be happy that they are invited to join your happiness on your big day they should not have to think about what they get... I think Barbies comments are completely out of line anyone who expects a drink paid for is truly ungrateful and if there's anyone like that at my wedding then i just wouldnt want them there xx

Tell them verbally that your budget will not stretch that far as you have had to pull together a wedding in 6 months due to your mum has terminal lung cancer they will understand I am sorry to hear about your mum Cheryl Paying for the food is enough let them buy there own drinks at my sil wedding we had to pay for our own drinks so its fine its not expected not everyone is rich and has a money tree in there back garden =D ♥ x

I don't think you need to tell people.
I think it's perfectly acceptable not to provide a drink for your guests.
:-)

I don't think you need to tell people. No offence barbie but bride2be has advised that she is bringing the wedding forward as her mum is terminally. I can't believe you would state it is unacceptable?

Bride2be if anyone is offended by the lack of free drinks then they don't deserve to be there!

Sorry to hear your sad news in respect of your mum xxxxx

I think it's fine not to provide drinks...however, I would make sure there are jugs of water on the table, as has been suggested.

As to whether you should tell your guests in advance, I think it's entirely up to you, however although I wouldn't be bothered if I went to a wedding and had to pay for my own drinks during the meal, I would prefer to know in advance, so I would know how much money to put aside for the wedding day, particularly if there aren't any cashpoints or facilities to pay by card.

Most people will only want one or two drinks during the meal anyway so it's not going to ruin anybody's day, so don't worry too much about it hun.

And I'm sorry to hear about your mam, too

Xx

I dont think you have to provide any drinks hun, but I would pop some jugs of water on the tables (shouldn't cost you anything if it is tap water) And I just want to say how sorry I am to hear about your mum. Love to you both xxx

Thanks for your lovely comments and wishes about my mum, I really appreciate them x