At your wedding, the type of alcohol served will play an integral part in creating an enjoyable celebration. Offering multiple choices will ensure everyone can find something they enjoy and help everyone join you to celebrate together.
Calculating how many guests and for how long your reception will last is key when purchasing beer, wine and liquor for an event – this calculation also helps avoid excess or shortages in supply.
Red Wine
Although it should go without saying, wine should be included at any wedding reception, the exact selection will depend on multiple factors. These may include venue, season and whether your ceremony takes place during breakfast or evening hours – morning weddings typically feature less drinking, while couples looking for light refreshing white wines such as Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc over fuller-bodied and heavier wines should know their guests will consume. Ultimately, knowing how long you plan on hosting will allow you to calculate how many of each type of wine should be purchased.
Your wine choice should also take into account the type of food being served and its ideal pairing; fish dishes tend to pair nicely with crisp pinot grigio while beef can go better with bolder grenache wines. Furthermore, be wary of any allergies or dietary restrictions your guests may have that could prevent them from fully appreciating specific wines.
Noteworthy is also that while the Champagne hack mentioned on this website might seem to be the go-to drink for toasts, more and more couples are opting for less pricey alternatives such as Cremant–a French method for creating bubbly that doesn’t use Champagne grapes to produce bubbly wine. Cauble suggests Cremant as an affordable yet satisfying sparkling wine option that still achieves the same effect!
If you opt to serve Champagne during toasts, aim for one glass per guest. Additionally, stocking up on water bottles so guests can refill their glasses without leaving the table may help encourage guests to stay longer at your event.
Gin
To ensure the most enjoyable wedding bar experience for guests, you should offer several types of liquor at your reception. Wine and beer can make great additions, but to ensure that everyone can drink comfortably you should provide an assortment of spirits too. Gin in particular has numerous uses within cocktails or on its own that makes it essential for any alcohol list at a wedding reception.
Make an aromatic spring cocktail like the classic Gin Sour or Bramble using lemon, Creme de Mure and blackberries as ingredients that your guests are sure to love.
One popular choice is serving an assortment of sparkling wines. While Champagne should certainly be present, other alternatives like Cava from Spain or Prosecco from Italy might offer better value and taste just as deliciously as French Champagne. Incorporating more specialty sparkling wines such as rose or pinot grigio is also worthwhile.
For those who don’t drink much, light white wines may be an ideal option. Many couples now opt for offering an additional choice like moscato or riesling as alternatives for guests who may be unable to tolerate Champagne. If you wish to offer sparkling wines as toasts, be aware that you will require about 4-5 ounces per person in order for guests to have something they can toast with.
All wedding bars should provide a selection of mixers to ensure every guest can find something to their taste at their event. Many guests don’t enjoy drinking straight alcohol at a wedding reception, so providing mixed beverages makes them feel more involved and special.
Vodka
Weddings are special events where bride and groom can celebrate and unwind with their guests, making sure each experience is unforgettable. An integral component of this is selecting appropriate liquors – this means more than having plenty of bottles available; its quality also matters greatly.
High-quality vodka is an integral component of any wedding bar. While purchasing cheaper brands may save money, doing so may result in cocktails that lack flavor or don’t mix together properly – and that would only serve to compromise your special day by serving poor beverages! Don’t spoil it by serving inferior drinks to your friends and family on your big day!
Be sure to purchase both clear and dark vodkas for your wedding bar so as to provide guests with a variety of flavors for stand-alone spirits as well as mixed drinks. Also ensure to purchase red and white wines for guests’ enjoyment and be mindful of weather when buying alcohol; for example if your wedding takes place during summertime more light wines and beers may be needed than during winter events.
If possible, seek out a liquor emporium in your area that can take care of all your wedding beverage needs. These establishments usually provide more competitive pricing compared to expensive “wedding factory” venues; you might even try asking a friend who works there for discounts or negotiating any deals that might exist there.
Working with a bartender who can craft unique signature cocktails can add an exciting and inviting element to your wedding, and offer your guests the chance to sample something they might not usually order at a restaurant.
Beer
Picking out beer for your wedding may seem like the least important part of planning, but it plays an enormous role in making sure guests enjoy themselves on your big day. From light and refreshing pilsners to hoppy IPAs and rich stouts – there is an array of choices available! Pairing beer with food should also be taken into consideration; for instance a strong stout may not go well with cheesecake! Additionally, depending on when the ceremony will take place (ie lighter beers may work best), while darker beers might make an ideal accompaniment during autumn/winter events.
Once you’ve chosen the type of beer to serve, the next step should be estimating how much will be needed. A general guideline suggests one drink per guest per reception hour – however it’s better to overestimate than underestimate as for every alcohol guzzler there will likely be one who won’t touch anything but wine instead.
As you consider your options for beer, it is also important to determine the style of serving that best suits you – bottles, cans or draft. Furthermore, you should decide if a full bar or just beer and wine would best meet your needs.
If you want a full bar at your event, your venue may provide this service or you can hire a mobile bar company. They provide everything needed – kegs, bottles and cans as well as trained bartenders who will manage it – making this option especially great if your wedding will involve many guests and requires the preparation of drinks! Plus it helps your budget as you won’t spend money on multiple varieties!
Spirits
As you select the spirits for your wedding, there are a few key things you must keep in mind when selecting which beverages will be served at your reception. First and foremost is remembering that guests’ drinking habits depend on both time and date – for example, attendees of Friday evening weddings tend to consume much more alcohol than attendees of Sunday daytime ceremonies. Furthermore, take into consideration your family members’ drinking preferences; if hard liquor is out of bounds in your family home then more wine might be required than usual for your event.
If you need help selecting the appropriate amount of liquor for your wedding reception, try using an online calculator. These tools can help you calculate how much to order based on how many guests will attend as well as its expected length of time. Luna Nuda advises ordering additional bottles than necessary as having more on hand is always better than running out before its conclusion; any unused bottles can either be taken home for later events, given as gifts to friends and family, or sold online to generate revenue.
At its core, a full bar typically features vodka, gin, and rum. If you want to expand upon this offering, consider including some bottles of bourbon or scotch in your selection as well as your preferred liqueurs such as triple sec or Bailey’s for even further customization of your menu.
When selecting liquors to purchase for your guests, keep an eye on both prices and how many cocktails each bottle will make; typically cheaper options tend to be more popular among your guests. A general guideline suggests that 1.5 oz of liquor will create two cocktails.