How to Handle Drunk Wedding Guests—and Keep Everyone Safe

Alcohol and weddings often go hand in hand. After all, there's nothing like a champagne toast or signature cocktail to kick off the celebration. However, when the drinks are flowing freely, you may have a drunk wedding guest or two who have overindulged. According to Loni Peterson, owner of LP Creative Events in Denver, and Jamie Chang, destination wedding planner of Mango Muse Events in Los Altos, California, 80–90% of wedding guests drink at a wedding. Of course, that number can vary depending on the wedding's demographics, background and cultural traditions. Still, with so many guests likely to imbibe, it's important to have a plan to keep everyone safe at your party. Keep reading for pro tips on how to keep guests from getting drunk at a wedding and what to do if it happens to ensure everyone stays safe.

Hire Pros

Experts agree that the number one way to keep your party guests safe is by hiring experts to take the stress off your plate and allow you to enjoy your big day. Chang recommends hiring a professional bartending company. Often, they'll pay attention to how much guests are drinking and have policies to cut guests off when they've had too much. Your wedding planner can also help keep an eye out for drunk wedding guests and handle things as needed. Use The Knot Vendor Marketplace to find a wedding planner and bartending company near you.

If there are particular friends or family members who tend to overdrink, Chang advises telling your wedding planner and bartending team about them ahead of time. "They'll be able to keep a closer watch on them throughout the event to help prevent them from drinking too much," she says.

Offer Plenty of Water and Food

One sure-fire way to prevent people from getting drunk at a wedding and overall elevate the wedding guest experience is to ensure guests have plenty of food and water to consume throughout the festivities. Peterson suggests having a water station upon arrival, offering high-calorie appetizers to kick things off so people aren't drinking on an empty stomach and following dinner with late-night snacks.

Limit Hard Liquor Consumption

To limit drunk guests at a wedding, Chang suggests limiting the consumption of hard liquor at your wedding reception. For example, you may have an open bar during cocktail hour, but then shut it down during dinner and only serve wine at the tables (which can also save you money on your total wedding alcohol cost). "While someone can still get drunk on wine, less hard liquor available helps to naturally slow down guests who tend to overdrink," she says. Peterson adds that not serving shots or drinks "on the rocks" or "neat" can also help prevent guests from getting too drunk at your wedding.

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Plan Transportation for Guests

Contracting shuttles to transport guests to and from the wedding venue is one of the most effective ways to keep everyone safe, says Chang. It allows guests to enjoy themselves without worrying about driving afterward and helps prevent potential accidents. If shuttles aren't feasible due to the cost of wedding transportation or logistics, she adds that encouraging the use of rideshares or taxis (if available) is another great alternative.

To make the process even smoother, consider organizing hotel room blocks nearby or sharing key wedding transportation tips with guests in advance to help them plan their routes and avoid common mistakes with wedding transportation.

Cut People Off When They've Had Too Much

As a starting point, Peterson suggests having someone bring the drunk wedding guest a glass of water. "Sometimes that is enough of a wake-up call that they have gone a little too far and need to sober up," she says. If that doesn't do the trick, Chang says relying on your bartending team to handle cutting guests off is often the best approach, since they're the ones observing everyone throughout the evening and can spot when someone's had enough.

However, if that guest continues to sneak drinks from others, having a trusted friend or family member keep an eye on them, stay by their side and help cut them off can make all the difference. "Most people respond better to someone they know rather than a stranger, so bringing in a friend or family member to assist as needed—whether that means getting them home, having them get some air and drink water or even just sitting with them—can be most effective," Chang says.

Remember, You Are Liable

If you're wondering, "Am I liable for someone getting drunk at my wedding?" The short answer is yes. If drunk wedding guests destroy property in some way, you are liable for those damages. "This is also why many venues require couples to carry liability insurance and why shuttles usually have a clause and fees associated in their contracts about vomit," Chang says.

At the end of the day, serving alcohol at your wedding can still be fun and celebratory—as long as you do it responsibly. Having a plan in place for managing a drunk wedding guest not only keeps everyone safe but also ensures you, your partner and your guests enjoy the festivities.