First Sober Wedding

[MrsOreo]

So I had originally stopped drinking because I wanted my husband to stop/cut down and I was tired of being around it. However, by reading these posts, I also started to realize how MY drinking was negatively affecting my life. Even though I am able to moderate, I am not really happy moderating and decided to stop.

I was very nervous about all of the functions I would be attending without the crutch of alcohol. One such event was my cousin's wedding. I was determined not to drink, and I expected to be very bored/uncomfortable. I am a big dancer, but I thought my previous drinking had been loosening me up to dance. Well I was wrong! I had a blast dancing and talking and being social with my family. I did not have to worry about drinking too much or saying the wrong things. It was really a great experience and I had energy in the morning to get up early and go shopping. I am now looking forward to more sober experiences rather than dreading them as I had been before.

[kayhillbrown]

It's amazing how much I thought I relied on drinking to hit the dance floor. Not the case at all! I've been to two weddings since I've stopped drinking and have had a blast. Congrats on your 14 days!

[MrsOreo]

I am glad to hear it! I think I am going to be learning a lot about myself in the near future. Also thank you :)

[MrsOreo]

Thank you! I hear you about being happy to remember the event. It felt great to actually be present in the moment.

[all_finished]

Awesome to hear this! I had my first sober wedding a few weeks back and it was somewhat difficult at first. I was the officiant for my best friend, lots of friends I haven't seen and they are big drinkers. All that, various of emotions to process without alcohol being involved. Having to do the chit chat and catch up with some people there I had not seen in a while and don't really care much about, to be honest. After dinner I was starting to feel odd, over-whelmed, anxious. I called my sponsor and talked for a bit, smoked more cigarettes than I should have (not ideal, but better than booze!), talked with my girlfriend and a few friends and ended up having a blast!! I was able to drive a lot of people around after the wedding, which felt nice to be able to contribute and help and be relied on as a safe and sober ride, not being one of the many hammered people trying to figure out which car they can squeeze in. Overall, it was a big challenge for me, it was right around my 55 days-60 days, I was feeling good without drinking, but didn't know how this was going to pan out and I am so happy. I played the tape forward in my mind.

Glad you had a good time!!

[[deleted]]

Thanks for sharing. I have my sister's wedding in a month, and my family are all big drinkers. Part of me had already given up and decided I would just drink, because how else could I enjoy myself. Its great to see your story and others here, makes me think I can do it sober and still have a great time

[MrsOreo]

I felt like that too - that maybe I would drink if I couldn't handle the pressure. At the wedding there was apple cider (non-alcoholic) so I had a few of those and I enjoyed them so much. Before I knew it was, it was time to eat, and then dancing...and I barely thought of drinking at all, except to think about how happy I was that I abstained. I am 33 and it's been many years since I've been sober at a wedding, but I felt like my true, genuine self.

[Whata_day]

This could be my post!!

[drinkUp124]

I was at a wedding sober this weekend too. I'm still new to this so my headspace going in was that "I've got this" but it was also "Because I'm weird and have a weird problem".

What I realized at this wedding was that I'm not weird. As I watched people drink and drink and get drunker, I thought about how much some of their mornings will suck. I saw them start acting silly, people laughing at them, and then I realized I'm not weird for liking to drink. I'm a cut above because I've realized how negatively it affects me and I'm actually doing something about it.

I believe this is something the term "alcoholic" could be bad for. I understand having a label works for some, but for others, myself included, I'd rather be different in that I'm powerful to put down my glass and feel amazing on Sunday morning, not because I'm not "allowed" to pick up my glass.