Last weekend Sam and I had the pleasure of an invite to an evening wedding reception, which was held in one of the function rooms of a rather upmarket pub / restaurant in Cambridge. We had known the groom for some years, as our son used to play guitar in his band before his own sons came along. Rob, a rather personable young man, is now a music producer, and had met his wife Amy at one of the band’s gigs a few years ago.
Rob wanted two Best Men; our son Marc was one of them, and the other was Vic, who still plays keyboards for the band. What was lovely about the whole evening was that although the reception was held in a pub, neither Rob, Amy, Vic, or any of their families drank alcohol at all because they were teetotal as a matter of choice, and had been for many years. They didn’t want to spoil any of their friends’ enjoyment though, and so decided on the venue together.
Some would say ‘what’s a wedding without booze?’ I’ve been to plenty of them. I’ve seen one particular bride and groom totally trollied and embarrassing themselves and everybody around them. Some of their friends did pop over to the bar for a pint or two, but there was no drunkenness. It just goes to show that a lovely evening can be had by all without anybody arguing, fighting or embarrassing themselves through over-consumption of the falling over water.
I’m often put off going into town centres at night because of the amount of drunkenness there is these days amongst young people. Some of them I think are tipsy on cheap supermarket booze even before they leave the house.
I’m partial to the odd whisky and ginger sometimes, but I can take it or leave it. If I never drank alcohol again it wouldn’t bother me. However, I’ve never been to a wedding where the majority of people just imbibed soft drinks! What a lovely young couple; sensible, friendly, and eager for us old folk to share in their special day. Amy’s wedding dress was of the classical type; beautifully designed and with a proper top to it, a sweetheart neckline and short sleeves, instead of the bare shoulders and unsightly heaving cleavages that are so prevalent today. Long may their happiness last, and their sobriety.
Do you think that you can have a good time without alcohol? I’m of the opinion that not only can you have a good time, you can have an even better time than the drinkers, and you will remember everything in the morning!
Bernadette said:
I like to have a great glass of wine with my meal and would miss the ritual but I agree that getting inebriated is the difference between eating and dining. I mentioned you in my Friday post. If you get a chance take a peak at it.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for the mention Bernadette. Much appreciated.
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Annika Perry said:
What a beautiful wedding and how wonderfully unusual without any alcohol being served. Personally I rarely drink any at all – the odd glass of wine with a meal but I could happily live without it. Now chocolate is another matter! As a student at uni not drinking to excess was a problem as you were seen as ‘not fitting in’ but as so often I went my own way. Also whilst a journalist reporters often had ‘wet lunches’ as a matter of course and again, since I refrained I was told I would never be a proper reporter. Harsh – thankfully attitudes seem to have changed.
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Stevie Turner said:
So often as young people we need to fit in. I was always on the outside as I refused to ever drink to excess. I’m glad I stuck to my guns now. So many of my contemporaries are now paying the price for their excesses.
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mariaholm said:
I also chose not to drink alcohol many years ago as I had too much when I was young and it didn’t cheer me up then so I am having a good time whenever there is an occasion to celebrate something or somebody
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Stevie Turner said:
Alcohol is a depressive, which is why it didn’t cheer you up! Very aware of what was going on around me as a young child, I made a vow to myself never to get drunk, and so far I haven’t.
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mariaholm said:
We have avoided a lot of sorrow by keeping sober
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Stevie Turner said:
We sure have.
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franklparker said:
I enjoy a glass of wine with a meal at the weekend (between us Freda and I manage to make one bottle of decent red do Saturday and Sunday). I also like a glass of beer or whiskey most evenings. This is all at home. SInce we have to drive to most places of entertainment I rarely drink alcohol when we are out. There are 4 or 5 pubs within walking distance but nether of us has ever been a ‘pub person’.
Our local Gaelic football team won the county championship at the weekend. A neighbour met a couple of the lads in the supermarket the following morning and was told: ‘we’ve just come out (from the pub) for breakfast, we’re going back right after.’ Could be apocryphal but it shows the attitude of many young people to alcohol.
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Stevie Turner said:
I’ve never understood why people want to drink so much alcohol that they have no idea what they are doing. Is it to escape a grim reality perhaps?
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robjodiefilogomo said:
Not that alcohol is bad, but it can certainly be overdone….and who likes waking up with a hangover anyways!! Or not remembering the fun party!!
I think this was a great example of how you can have a great time without alcohol!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
My question is–since it was at a pub, was it casual or was everyone still dressed up?
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Stevie Turner said:
It was a function room in a pub. Yes, we were all dressed up, and it was a rather upmarket pub!
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Darlene said:
Sounds like a lovely wedding and a couple with a future. So much money is spent on alcohol theses days that could be used more sensibly. A glass of wine with a meal once in awhile is all I need. We see the British holidaymakers here in Spain go crazy and it is upsetting.So many lives have been ruined by excessive drinking. Bravo for this couple.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Darlene.
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thejuicenut said:
Surprisingly, my 86 yr old mum is the only regular drinker in our family! She has a glass of wine every evening with her dinner, she even brings it with her when she comes to stay with us, she won’t do without! Half my family are teetotal, the rest have a beer or wine on high days and holidays.
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Stevie Turner said:
Ha ha, you and me both! My 92 year old mum must have her daily glass of sherry. It’s a big glass too – no wonder she’s always falling over!
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thejuicenut said:
😄🙌🏻
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Clive said:
Having spent four years on medication that didn’t allow me to drink I realised that alcohol is far from essential. Now that I can drink again I often find myself choosing fruit juice instead. At my age I don’t need to take anything that has an adverse effect on my memory!
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Stevie Turner said:
Good for you! I wrote this as I was so surprised at this young couple.
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Clive said:
It sounds a wonderful event, and they clearly have a great outlook on life.
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ellenbest24 said:
I’m nuts enough without 😆
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