How do you handle a plus-one who is a person who doesn't drink alcohol?

A guest who does not drink alcohol is simply a guest with a different preference. Your job is to make sure they feel included and comfortable, not to quiz them or make a fuss. Start by offering a good range of non-alcoholic drinks, not just water or one soft drink. Think about sparkling water, alcohol-free fizz, fruit juice, mocktails or a nice soft drink. Put these on the same tables as the alcoholic drinks so nobody has to ask or feel singled out.

For the toast, you can have the toastmaster or a friend quietly mention that non-alcoholic options are available for the toast. Or you can simply raise whatever you are holding, and let guests choose. If you are having a sit-down meal, make sure the waiting staff know to offer a non-alcoholic option to everyone, not just to one person. That way your guest can choose without anyone noticing.

If the person is a close friend or family member, you might ask them privately if there is anything specific they would like, such as a particular brand of alcohol-free beer. But do not ask why they do not drink. It could be for health, faith, recovery or personal reasons, and it is none of your business. Just be glad they are there to celebrate with you.

Also think about the bar. If you are having a paid bar, consider giving every guest a drink token or two, and make sure the tokens work for non-alcoholic drinks too. And if anyone else asks you about it, just say they are not drinking and change the subject. Kindness is about normalising the choice, not spotlighting it.