How to look after your Alcohol Free Guests

Did you know 12.5% of the UK declare themselves as tee total? The reasons for this vary from simply not liking the taste to deciding alcohol was beginning to control their lives, so decide to join the 'sober movement' before it becomes a real issue. No matter what the reason is, your alcohol free guests need to be catered for just as much as those enjoying the table wine, the free bar and of course the toasts.

But how can you do this without just making sure there is plenty of coke and lemonade on offer? Because as much as a nice glass of cold lemonade is refreshing, it's pretty, well, boring! Let's have a look at some more interesting ways to offer up non alcoholic options.

Alcohol Free Cocktail Menu

You may have noticed I have called it an Alcohol Free Cocktail menu and not a Mocktail menu. I find the word 'mocktail' a bit childlike. To me calling an alcoholic drink a 'mock' drink kind of makes it sound like it is just a pretend drink. Maybe it's just me but trust me, your alcohol free guests will appreciate that tiny detail.

Set up a vibrant mocktail menu with your drinks supplier that includes a variety of non-alcoholic drink options. Include a mix of flavours, garnishes, and presentation styles to make it visually appealing and enjoyable.

You could even make this into an alcohol free 'make your own' bar where your guests can get creative and come up with their own alcohol free drinks.

Speciality Soft Drink Range

If a completely separate alcohol free cocktail menu or bar isn't in your budget. Be sure to discuss non alcoholic options with your catering company/venue/drinks supplier. Be more creative than just basic soft drinks. Make sure your supplier can provide more than just a bottle of j20. Your alcohol free guests will love having more options than just a glass of coke.

Fancy Glassware

You wouldn't put a glass of wine in a tumbler or a Gin & Tonic in a pint glass would you? (or maybe you would?!?) So try and provide fancy glassware for the alcohol free drinks. There is something so different about drinking an alcohol free drink in a fancy glass. It just hits different. It will also mean your non drinking guests don't stand out from the drinkers. For some alcohol free guests they would have been asked 700 times why they're not drinking alcohol. So it saves that question over and over again - trust me, it happens more than you realise!

Thoughtful Seating Arrangements

This of course depends on who your alcohol free guests are, but consider putting your these guests together when it comes to seating arrangements. This will also be an amazing help for your caterers. If there is a specific alcohol free table or two they will know not to deliver that table with champagne for the toasts or provide wine for that table during your wedding breakfast. They can provide one of your non alcoholic options instead.

Alcohol Free Toast Options

Linking on from the above point, don't forget to provide a non alcoholic drink for your toasts. After being pregnant at nearly every wedding I have ever been to, there is nothing more awkward than holding up a glass of champers and then just having to put it down again. It creates so much waste too. Many people don't actually like champagne anyway so it's not always easy finding someone willing to drink it for you.

Consider a Late Night Coffee Bar

This will be an absolute hit across your entire guestlist and not just the non drinking guests. This doesn't have to cost the earth either. When you serve your late night snacks or even your evening buffet, ask your caterers to set up a coffee/hot drink station or bar. You could provide flavoured syrups, different teas, maybe even put some of your wedding cake portions out with it. Who doesn't love a coffee ad cake? And it will give a well needed energy boost for all those that have been partying hard so far!

Customised Alcohol Free Wedding Favours

If you are providing your guests with an alcohol related favour, remember to make sure you have non alcoholic version for those guests that don't drink.

Find Out Before How Many Guests You Need To Provide For

If you are unsure on the number of alcohol free guests you have coming to the wedding, ask in your wedding invitations. We ask for dietary requirements, why not ask this at the same time? There is no need to feel awkward asking this question. Your drinker guests won't even pay attention to the question and your alcohol free guests will absolutely love the thought you have put into asking that question in the first place.

We would love to hear any more ideas you may have! Pop us a comment below!