10 Takeaways From A Sober Wedding

Last weekend, I went to one of my best friend's wedding at a beautiful country club with all my college friends and a premium open bar.

Before the weekend, I hadn't drank in about a month. I knew I didn't want to get drunk, but I wasn’t sure if I was going to drink at the wedding.

When the groomsmen were getting ready, I didn’t feel pulled to grab a beer.

Later, we were seated around a table and pulled out a bottle of whisky.

I took a glass, cheered with the groomsmen, and enjoyed the Macallan 12.

Off to the wedding!

For the rest of the night, I didn’t drink. I strangely never felt that pull, and I figured: if I’m not feeling a pull, why go for it?

The Takeaway: Here are ten things I noticed from not drinking at a wedding:

1. Dancing is so much easier without holding a drink.
2. Nobody cared that I cheersed with club soda instead of champagne.
3. Not waiting in bar lines meant more time with Kel and on the dance floor.
4. I didn’t need post-dinner coffee to stay awake.
5. I felt no guilt eating the dessert/cake.
6. I noticed all the little details of the wedding throughout the night.
7. I didn’t miss any important moments because I needed to pee.
8. Not waking up in the middle of the night is lovely.
9. Going to the breakfast the following day without a hangover is glorious.
10. Traveling without a hangover makes everything smoother.

Bonus: I find it interesting that there’s a full hour at a wedding dedicated solely to drinking—"cocktail hour."

The Shift: Not feeling pulled toward alcohol is the result of aligning my unconscious and conscious views. Having a single malt whisky with the groomsmen before the wedding aligned with my goals, and not drinking throughout the rest of the night aligned with my goals as well.

Outcome: It was really nice not feeling pulled toward anything. I had an insanely fun night, a smooth travel day, and then I jumped right back into my routine.

Till next week, be kind, be curious, and work hard.

Tanner