The Ultimate Guide to Having a Dry Wedding
Planning a dry wedding? Whether for personal, cultural, or religious reasons, or simply to keep things family-friendly, a dry wedding can be just as memorable and fun. Here at Carolina Country Weddings, we’ve seen couples host fun and festive celebrations without alcohol by incorporating unique touches and creative ideas. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable dry wedding, especially if you're celebrating with us near Charlotte, NC.
Why Choose a Dry Wedding?
A dry wedding offers lots of flexibility, saves on cost, and can bring more focus to the elements that truly matter to you. You’ll have the freedom to make your event completely family-oriented, lower potential stress around guests overindulging, and highlight the venue’s natural beauty in a relaxed, sober environment.
Tips for planning your dry wedding:
1. Create a Standout Drink Menu
Even without alcohol, your guests can enjoy creative, refreshing drinks! Work with your caterer to create an assortment of mocktails that match your wedding’s vibe and colors. Think seasonal options like lavender lemonade, rosemary ginger fizz, or sparkling fruit spritzers. Carolina Country Weddings can help you coordinate with local vendors to source the freshest ingredients, making your drink options a unique highlight of your wedding day.
2. Set Up Interactive Beverage Stations
Beverage stations bring a fun, social aspect to a dry wedding and are a great way for guests of all ages to interact. Consider a DIY mocktail bar where guests can mix their own sodas, syrups, and garnishes or, in cooler weather, consider a station for hot drinks like cocoa, cider, and custom teas. Coffee bars are a welcome addition to a wedding reception any time of the year! Carolina Country Weddings has flexible indoor and outdoor spaces perfect for setting up multiple beverage stations with rustic charm.
3. Emphasize Activities & Entertainment
When planning a dry wedding, focus on activities that engage your guests, keep them social and entertained and maintain a high energy level. Lawn games, live music, photo booths, live artists, and dance floors are all popular choices. We have plenty of space here for everything from cornhole and bocce ball to a photo backdrop under the stars. Don’t hesitate to ask us about entertainment ideas—our team has experience in designing unique setups that suit both daytime and evening events.
4. Make Food the Star
A dry wedding gives you the chance to prioritize a show-stopping food experience. Consider offering tasting stations, grazing boards, family-style platters, dessert displays or even a food truck for a fun and festive twist. Dessert or gourmet coffee truck have proved very popular. Flavor you own shaved ice cup, anyone? Carolina Country Weddings partners with caterers who love to create memorable, interactive culinary experiences that suit any guest list and budget.
5. Communicate Openly With Guests
If some guests may be expecting access to alcohol at your reception, gently let them know in advance that you are planning an alcohol-free reception with a reminder that they are not to bring their own alcohol. Include a mention on your wedding website or invitation and keep the tone positive while emphasizing all the amazing food, drinks, and fun they can look forward to. Carolina Country Weddings is here to help with wording ideas to make sure your guests feel included and excited.
6. Plan a Cozy Atmosphere
Without a bar, the focus naturally shifts to ambiance. Make the most of Carolina Country Weddings’ picturesque setting to create a warm, welcoming environment. Decorate with soft lighting, rustic accents, and plenty of cozy seating areas to encourage small group conversation. Adding blankets or outdoor heaters can make cooler months comfortable, while twinkling lights and natural décor bring out the best in summer or fall evenings.
7. Capture Beautiful Moments
A dry wedding at Carolina Country Weddings allows for a relaxed pace, which can lead to more intentional, cherished memories. Work with your photographer to capture intimate moments with family, group photos with friends enjoying planned (and unplanned!) activities, as well as shots of guests gathered in conversation. This is a great opportunity for candid photos that showcase the true spirit of your unique wedding day.
8. End on a Sweet Note
Why not close out the evening with something sweet? From custom dessert tables to a “late-night snack” bar, a dry wedding leaves room to get creative with dessert. Carolina Country Weddings can help you coordinate a memorable dessert experience, whether it’s s’mores by the fire pit, a lineup of seasonal pies and treats, or whatever your sweet tooth desires!
photo by Carolina Country Weddings team member
Planning a Dry Wedding at Carolina Country Weddings
With stunning views, cozy gathering spots, and an atmosphere that feels close to nature, Carolina Country Weddings is ideal for a celebration focused on connection, food, and fun. We’re here to support you every step of the way, helping you design a wedding day that reflects your values and makes your guests feel right at home.
Let us know if you’d like more ideas or to schedule a tour. We can’t wait to help you plan a day filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories!
Thank you so much for stopping by! We hope you found this blog inspiring. Carolina Country Weddings is a locally owned and operated family business. We are dedicated to using our platform to support locally owned wedding venues. With them you will often see a higher level of hospitality, better communication and a greater desire to exceed expectations. As you plan your wedding we hope you will consider a locally owned wedding venue like ours. We are thrilled to support wedding venue owners from around the country. You can find them featured on this wedding venue map.
Legacy Lakes Venue, Laurel Haven Estate, The Inn at Harbor Shores