How to enjoy alcohol responsibly on your wedding day - from London expert

Many brides choose to have a celebratory toast with champagne or a special drink during the reception. They might pace themselves throughout the evening, enjoying a drink here and there. Some brides, however, prefer to stay completely sober to ensure they remember all the details and have full control during their special day.

Ultimately, it's about what makes the bride feel comfortable and confident. There's no pressure to drink or abstain. Experienced bartender and director of bar hire company Spin & Shake, Bryan Levato has provided his expert insight into enjoying alcohol responsibly on your wedding day. He says, "Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, and as an experienced bartender I've seen firsthand how important it is to drink responsibly on such a memorable occasion. Remember, you want to cherish every moment for all the right reasons. By pacing yourself and staying mindful of your alcohol intake, you can fully enjoy the festivities without the negative consequences of excessive drinking."

Tip 1: Stay Hydrated
Bryan says, "On your wedding day it's a good idea to alternate between alcoholic drinks and water. Drinking water in between alcoholic beverages can help pace yourself and stay hydrated, which can reduce the effects of alcohol."

Tip 2: Choose Lower Alcohol Content Drinks
"In addition to our earlier point, we also recommend opting for drinks with lower alcohol content, such as beer or wine, instead of high-proof spirits. Lighter drinks can help you maintain control and avoid getting too drunk too quickly," adds Bryan.

Tip 3: Eat Well Bryan stresses that on your wedding day, "Make sure to have a hearty meal before the festivities begin. Food helps slow down the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream, reducing the likelihood of getting intoxicated quickly."

Tip 4: Set a Limit & Designated Time for Celebration
"Decide in advance how many drinks you'll have throughout the day and stick to it," says Bryan. "Setting a limit can help you stay in control and avoid overindulging. Furthermore, consider designating specific times during the wedding day for toasting and celebration drinks, rather than continuously drinking throughout the event."

Tip 5: Sip, Don't Chug & Know Your Limits
Bryan says, "Take your time to enjoy your drinks rather than gulping them down quickly. Sipping allows you to savour the flavours and gives your body more time to metabolise the alcohol. It's also important to understand your own tolerance level for alcohol and pace yourself accordingly. Everyone's tolerance is different, so be mindful of how alcohol affects you personally."

Tip 6: Avoid Shots
Bryan says, "We know it's your wedding day and it can be tempting to want to party hard. However, shots can pack a punch and lead to rapid intoxication so it's best to limit or avoid them altogether to prevent getting too drunk too quickly."

Tip 7: Stay Active & Enlist Help
"Keep moving and dancing throughout the celebration. Physical activity can help burn off some of the alcohol and keep you more alert. Another great tip to help you stay relatively sober throughout your big day is to enlist the help of friends or family members to keep an eye on you and intervene if they notice you've had too much to drink," adds Bryan.

Finally, "Know When to Stop. Pay attention to how you're feeling and know when it's time to stop drinking. If you start feeling intoxicated, switch to non-alcoholic beverages for the rest of the event," says Bryan. Please feel free to use the comment provided and amend it accordingly to suit any article.

Spin & Shake Mobile Bar Hire London is an award-winning mobile cocktail bar company based in London and operating all over the UK, providing cocktail classes for over 500 events each year. Bryan has over 12 years of experience in the bartending industry and taught at EBS London (European Bartender School) as an instructor. For more information or if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. Kindest regards, Caoimhe McGonagle