For better or for worse, alcohol is a part of most celebrations. Here’s how to drink responsibly at a wedding.
From signature cocktails to champagne toasts and morning-after mimosas, alcoholic beverages are intwined into most weddings. And with an open bar at your disposal, it can be dangerously easy to throw caution to the wind and lose track of how much you’ve consumed.
But trust us — you don’t want to be the subject of gossip at brunch the next day. Before you head into that reception hall, you may want to think about how to drink responsibly at a wedding.
Know your limits
Some people can drink a glass of wine or two and be fine, and some need to abstain from alcohol completely. Everyone has a slightly different relationship to alcohol, and it’s important that you know yours.
Remember — not all drinks are created equal. A Long Island Iced Tea has more alcohol in it than a beer, so your “three drink limit” may need some adjustments based off of what you’re drinking.
Don’t skip the food
Let’s be honest, this shouldn’t be hard to do. There is so much delicious food at a wedding, and most of the time you leave pretty stuffed. Having food in your stomach slows the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into your system. So pack that plate at cocktail hour!
Image courtesy of Marco Photography
Refill your water glass
Staying hydrated is super important, even if you’re not drinking any alcohol (you can really work up a sweat on the dance floor!) A good rule of thumb is to drink one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage that you consume.
Have an “accountabili-buddy”
If you’re worried about the night getting out of hand, enlist a friend to help keep you accountable. They can give you a friendly tap when you’re getting ready to order “just one more,” and they can let you know that you’re doing that “thing” you do after too many White Claws that everyone else finds…well…a little annoying.
Pace yourself
Before you refill your champagne glass in the bridal suite, remember — you’ve got an entire day ahead of you. You don’t want to be already hungover before the bridal party makes their entrance, so slow down your consumption early in the day.
Image courtesy of Focus Studios
Know what you’re drinking
That signature cocktail looks amazing, but you and tequila have a long history. Before ordering, have an idea of what you’re getting ready to drink. Some cocktails have way more alcohol in them than you think they do, and certain liquors have higher alcohol content than others.
That goes for beer and wine, too! When in doubt, pull out your phone and look up your beverages ABV (alcohol by volume). The higher the percentage, the more alcohol in the drink.
Have a ride home ready
This goes without saying, but always have transportation worked out for the end of the night. If you’re driving yourself and others, it’s vitally important that you’re sober before getting behind the wheel. Knowing that you’re driving should strongly dictate how much you’re going to be drinking during the evening (spoiler alert: it should be minimal).
Even if you’ve got a ride home, keep your drinking in moderation. You’ll be so happy you did when you wake up bright-eyed the next morning!
If your drinking feels out of control, contact a mental health professional.