We’ve done it essentially our whole married lives, so going on 35 years now. H’s family was teetotalers, so it’s his nature. Once in a while we’ll have a drink, but it’s almost always when we’re out and on vacation.
We’ve never encountered peer pressure to drink TBH. Even our neighbors who have alcohol at their houses don’t pressure us to have anything. If someone expects something at our house they’re going to be disappointed.
I know on the wedding thread some were aghast that both of my two who are married had none at their weddings/reception. That was their choice, not ours. They’re still happily married and people still appeared to have a great time at the receptions. Both of my sons will socially drink at times. One wife will not - doesn’t like the taste. The other will try things once in a while, but not often. I think the decision not to have alcohol was financial as much as anything else.
Booze definitely adds a substantial amount to a reception cost. Unless you are allowed to provide your own. Venues usually triple the retail price of wine in addition to bartender charges. That’s where the profit is.
Not keeping up with the Jones’s for sure. We like really good wine with good food and for some of the folks we eat with, that is a part of the interaction and conversation. For other friends, it wouldn’t be a big deal to serve a meal without wine. We have over the years changed the kind of food we cook/eat to be healthier (e.g., very little red meat, nothing fried) but that has, sadly, varied with “scientific” fads.
My wedding was a brunch from 10-12. We offered sparkling wine/mimosas for a toast, but that was it. I’m sure some folks were surprised, but my family and I have often had guests in our homes for brunch without serving alcohol at all, so I wasn’t troubled.
I had my daughter’s bat mitzvah ceremony and reception at a dim sum hall in Chinatown. I bought wine for (adult) guests to drink as they wanted, and hired a bartender because there were a zillion kids there. Alas, several got really drunk on the leftover wine from the blessings. They were all there with their parents and of course I heard about it the next day. Otherwise it was a pretty amazing evening.
Maybe this article will help. If you are looking for specific studies there are many cited in the references. That alcohol consumption raises cancer risk is well established.
I stopped drinking alcohol in 2018, for many reasons. There are some really great nonalcoholic beers, wines and spirits on the market and delicious mocktails at restaurants. When we first stopped drinking ( my H gave it up too) we got some weird pushback from some people, but who cares?
My husband, who I thought might be getting a little too fond of the wine, listened to a long podcast that covered this subject. We had seltzer with dinner today. I detest the fake flavored fizzy waters, but I don’t mind it plain or with a splash of lemon or lime or cranberry juice. I wouldn’t mind trying some mocktails.
I just listened to it and wow. This guy runs a lab at Stanford and is an Associate Professor there. The podcast is two hours long - I just finished it and I’m pooped! He’s convinced me I need to take a break from drinking, even a few drinks a week. I encourage you to listen to it. I think it may change your views - it sure did for me.
I skimmed through the podcast. Very informative. Note that the podcast doesn’t come across as “war on alcohol.” He is not preaching abstinence, just talking about scientific findings. If it makes someone think twice about having that extra drink - good, mission accomplished.
That’s the one my husband listened to and he stopped drinking cold turkey. While I never thought he was an alcoholic, I thought collecting wine was kind of an expensive habit and I had been advocating for drinking less. I didn’t drink at all for a month, and we’ve been having fun with all the non-alcoholic options out there. I’m now having wine or beer occasionally on the weekends, but even then less than I would have before. I refuse to listen to the podcast though!
Forgot to post an update on our Lyre’s bubbly tasting. I give it a solid 3/4 stars. It had a perfect balance of acidity, flavor, and carbonation. The bubbles looked like a real champagne deal. Small and not getting bigger by the time they got to the surface. We will buy again! It is not cheap though.
Small and not getting bigger by the time they got to the surface. We will buy again! It is not cheap though.