Q. Do we need to state no alcohol on our reception cards? We want an alcohol-free reception, and there is a bar where the reception is being held with visible liquor.  We are concerned that we will have guests who wish to purchase an alcoholic beverage. The reception hall said they would put out a sign stating “bar is closed.”

A. You do not need to state that there will be no alcohol served on your reception cards.  Hopefully, your guests will be attending in support of the two of you, not for an opportunity to have free drinks.  You should also make sure there is a sign on the bar and that there will be no one behind the bar. You do not want even to give guests the appearance of being able to get alcohol at all. If you want something to sort of replace those drinks so that it would still have a party-like atmosphere, make arrangements to have mock cocktails served.  This will give you pretty drinks without the alcohol.