Demand for dry weddings increases

Whether it's teetotallers, the 'sober curious' or simply those wishing to cut back on the amount of alcohol they consume, dry weddings are an emerging growth market according to one leading events planner who has seen a 28% increase in requests for completely alcohol-free weddings, and a notable focus on alcohol free drinks in weddings that aren't forgoing it altogether.

Liz Taylor, CEO of leading wedding and events management company, the Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC), has been at the forefront of the wedding industry for over thirty-five years and has never seen such demand for no or low alcohol weddings, with requests rising nearly a third in the last two years. "Alcohol just doesn't hold the same significance for a growing number of our wedding clients," Liz explains. "Even in celebrations that aren't completely teetotal, we're being asked to put more emphasis on developing innovative non or low alcohol drinks' menus for the big day.

"The growth in very high-quality non-alcoholic alternatives in retail and hospitality has certainly helped to drive this trend. Many of these drinks use sustainably sourced botanicals to create a unique drink that doesn't need to mimic alcohol. It stands alone as an elegant toast or reception drink. " Liz maintains that the presentation of the non or low alcohol beverages make all the difference in people's perception of a tee-total wedding. "We are finding that couples want to take the spirit out of the glass, but not out of the party. Tee-total does not need to mean boring and wedding couples don't want it to."

She adds, "Raising the bar on creative presentation is the key to making it work. Reimagining the service of your drink and adding that extra element of theatre by offering cocktails in everything from mini milk bottles and copper mugs to China teacup. It all makes a huge difference to guests enjoying the experience as a uniquely WOW moment. They simply forget the lack of spirit inside."

Examining the statistics on teetotalism in the UK, the reduced focus on alcohol at weddings is perhaps no surprise. According to alcohol charity Drinkaware, around 20% of the population regard themselves as non-drinkers, a percentage that is even higher in the younger age groups. Just over a quarter (26%) of those aged 16 – 24 do not drink alcohol at all. According to Liz, there are several reasons for this within her client base.

"Health and the environmental impact of alcohol are key drivers of the sober revolution. It might be that the bride and groom want a clear head on the day," she continues. "It's a lovely thing to be able to remember all the details of your wedding day. And of course, I also have of couples who don't drink because of their religious beliefs."

"Undoubtedly for some couples choosing a dry wedding, inflation and the cost-of-living crisis is a factor as it squeezes wedding budgets. They opt to trim the alcohol bill and serve with more inexpensive but fun 'street food' dishes, allowing them to invest their money in other aspects of the day.

"But for me, the main reason is that alcohol really isn't that important for the younger generations – it's far more socially acceptable not to drink. This has pushed forward the broader range of non and low alcohol drinks now available in supermarkets and bars and is a trend that will continue to influence the wedding sector."