Stocking Up: Wedding Alcohol And Signature Drinks Guide

Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to figuring out how much alcohol to buy. The last thing you want is to run out of drinks halfway through your wedding reception. A good rule of thumb is to plan for each guest to have two drinks during the cocktail hour, and then one drink every hour after that. For a six-hour wedding with 100 guests, you'll need roughly 600 drinks. However, it's important to consider the duration of your wedding, the number of guests, and their drinking preferences.

If you're serving beer, wine, and liquor, a recommended mix is 50% liquor, 25% beer, and 25% wine. For 100 guests, 7 cases of beer (168, 12-ounce bottles) or a half-barrel keg (165, 12-ounce bottles) should be enough. For wine, 12 bottles of white (60, 5-ounce glasses) and 12 bottles of red (60, 5-ounce glasses) are sufficient. As for liquor, it's best to stock up on popular spirits like bourbon and tequila.

If you're offering signature cocktails, they typically fall under the liquor category. For 100 guests, 150 servings of your signature cocktail should be enough, assuming most people will also be drinking other types of alcohol. Signature cocktails are a great way to personalize your wedding and offer guests a unique drinking experience.

Remember, these are just estimates, and it's always better to have more than enough drinks than to run out. Enjoy planning your special day, and cheers to the happy couple!

How much alcohol to buy for a wedding of a certain size

Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to figuring out how much alcohol to buy. The last thing you want is to run out of drinks halfway through the reception, but you also don't want to be left with a ton of leftovers. The amount of alcohol you'll need depends on several factors, including the number of guests, the duration of the reception, the drinking habits of your guests, and the type of drinks you plan to serve. Here's a detailed guide to help you determine how much alcohol to buy for your wedding, tailored to different guest counts.

For a wedding with 100 guests, the general rule of thumb is to plan for each guest to consume two drinks during the cocktail hour and one drink every hour after that. This means for a typical 5-hour wedding reception, you'll need approximately 500 drinks in total. If you're only serving your signature cocktail, 150 servings will be enough to last through a 3-hour reception.

For beer, 7 cases (168, 12-ounce bottles) or a half-barrel keg (165, 12-ounce bottles) should be sufficient. If you know your guests love their beer, you may want to purchase more. As for wine, 12 bottles each of white and red (60, 5-ounce glasses) should be enough, with the option to adjust based on the time of day and season. For example, an evening reception may call for more red wine, while a summer reception will likely see a higher demand for white wine.

If you're serving liquor, the recommended mix is 50% liquor, 25% beer, and 25% wine. For 100 guests, you'll need about 6-10 bottles of bourbon/whiskey and 4-8 bottles of tequila. Don't forget to account for classic mixed drinks and stock up on popular spirit choices.

When it comes to a larger wedding with 150 guests, the same rules apply. Plan for at least one drink per person per hour, which means you'll need approximately 900 drinks for a 6-hour wedding. To be on the safe side, Alex Tornai, a party planner, suggests providing two drinks in the first hour and one drink per hour after that, resulting in about seven drinks per person for a 6-hour reception.

For wine, opt for two types of red and two types of white, with one of each served during dinner and an additional option at the bar. If you prefer rosé, choose that over a second white option. For a party of this size, you'll need:

• Dinner red: 3 cases (12 bottles per case)
• Additional red: 1.5-2 cases
• Dinner white: 2-3 cases (more for a summer reception)
• Additional white: 1-1.5 cases

For beer lovers, make sure to have 12-16 cases (24 cans or bottles per case) on hand. If you're serving liquor, the same 50-25-25 ratio applies, and don't forget to factor in classic mixed drinks.

When it comes to a grand celebration with 200 guests, the numbers scale up accordingly. For a 5-hour wedding with 200 guests, you're looking at needing about 1,000 drinks in total. Again, the rule of thumb is two drinks during the cocktail hour and one drink every hour after that per guest.

Using the recommended ratio of 50% liquor, 25% beer, and 25% wine, here's a breakdown of what you'll need:

• Champagne (750 ml): 33 bottles
• Red Wine (750 ml): 20 bottles
• White Wine (750 ml): 20 bottles
• Spirits (1 liter): 21 bottles
• Beer: 200 cans or bottles

Additional Considerations:

It's important to note that these estimates are not exact and can vary based on the drinking habits of your guests. Some guests may drink less, while others may be thirstier. It's always better to err on the side of caution and have more than enough rather than run out.

When it comes to signature cocktails, they can be a memorable reflection of the couple and a fun way to personalize the wedding. Serving them in batches can help streamline the bar service and ensure consistency. Additionally, don't forget to account for non-alcoholic beverages, mixers, ice, glassware, and bartenders when planning your wedding bar.

How to serve signature wedding cocktails

There are several reasons to serve signature wedding cocktails at your wedding. Firstly, it is a creative way to serve liquor if you want to avoid paying for an unlimited open bar. You can offer an open bar for beer and wine and have your signature cocktail as the third option, accompanied by a cash bar for other liquor-based drinks. Secondly, signature cocktails are a memorable reflection of the couple and can be named after their dog or where they met. Lastly, guests will enjoy trying something new and it gives them more options for the night.

The amount of alcohol you serve at your wedding will depend on the number of guests, the duration of the reception, and the drinking habits of your guests. As a rule of thumb, plan for each guest to consume two drinks at the cocktail hour and then one drink every hour after that. For a reception lasting 3 hours, 150 servings of your signature cocktail should be sufficient for 100 guests, as most people will also be drinking other beverages.

When choosing your signature wedding cocktails, consider the cocktails you love the most, the time of year, and the seasonality of ingredients. You can also get creative with the names of your cocktails, incorporating your wedding theme, your heritage, or hometown. It is recommended to serve no more than two or three signature drinks, as they are meant to be tailored to your and your partner's tastes and may not appeal to everyone.

How to Serve the Cocktails

Serving your signature wedding cocktail on tap is an ideal way to make large quantities that will stay fresh all night. Most mixed drinks (except frozen) can be kegged, such as Moscow Mules and Gin & Tonics. If you are serving a carbonated cocktail, you will need CO2 gas, and if you are carbonating at a pressure of 40 PSI or higher, you will need a Perlick flow-control faucet and inline flow restrictor. Prior to serving, place your cocktail keg in an ice bath for several hours to chill it, and have clean ice cubes on hand if your cocktail is served over ice.

Other Considerations

When planning your wedding bar, consider the time of day, season, and climate of your wedding. If you are hosting a brunch or lunch wedding, you can reduce the total number of drinks served by 15%. For a summer or warmer climate wedding, you will likely need more white wine, beer, refreshing cocktails, and water. Don't forget to include any cultural traditions or creative touches, such as whisky tasting, tequila shots, or mini-bottles of champagne.

How to calculate how many drinks you will need

Planning a wedding can be stressful, and figuring out how much alcohol to buy for your big day is no easy task. The last thing you want is to run out of drinks halfway through your wedding reception. On the other hand, you also don't want to be left with a lot of leftovers and waste money. So, how do you calculate how many drinks you will need for your wedding?

The general rule of thumb is to plan for each guest to consume two drinks during the cocktail hour, and then one drink every hour after that. However, this may vary depending on the day of the week and time of day of your wedding. Weekend weddings will likely have guests who are able to drink more, and evening receptions may see guests drinking more red wine than white. It's also important to consider the duration of your wedding and whether your guests are light, average, or heavy drinkers.

For a more precise calculation, you can use the following formula: plan for at least one drink per person per hour. For example, a six-hour wedding with 100 guests would require roughly 600 drinks. You can also round up and plan for two drinks in the first hour and one drink per hour for the rest of the evening, which would be approximately seven drinks per person for a six-hour reception.

If you're serving beer, wine, and liquor, here's a breakdown for a party of 150:

• Dinner red wine: 3 cases (12 bottles per case)
• Additional red wine: 1.5-2 cases
• Dinner white wine: 2-3 cases (depending on the season; more for a summer reception)
• Additional white wine: 1-1.5 cases
• Beer: 12-16 cases (24 cans or bottles per case)

If you're serving hard liquor, you'll need to factor in the diversity of classic mixed drinks that can be ordered. Stock up with an emphasis on the more popular spirit choices:

• Bourbon/whiskey: 6-10 bottles
• Tequila: 4-8 bottles

Don't forget to include any signature cocktails you plan to serve. These can be a fun reflection of the couple and a way to save money. Typically, 150 servings of your signature cocktail should be sufficient for 100 guests, as most people will also be drinking other types of alcohol.

In summary, determining the amount of alcohol needed for a wedding can be tricky, and there is no perfect answer. It's always better to have more than enough rather than too little. By considering the duration of your wedding, the number of guests, their drinking habits, and the types of drinks you plan to serve, you can make an informed estimate of how many drinks you will need.

How to stock a wedding bar

Stocking a wedding bar can be a tricky task, especially when it comes to ensuring you have enough drinks to last the whole event. The amount of alcohol you need depends on several factors, including the number of guests, the duration of the wedding, and the drinking habits of your guests. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you stock your wedding bar effectively.

Determining the Quantity

A good rule of thumb when planning for drinks at a wedding is to anticipate that each guest will consume around two drinks during the first hour and one drink per hour for the rest of the event. This means that for a six-hour wedding with 100 guests, you will need approximately 600 drinks. It is always better to overestimate and have some drinks left over rather than run out of drinks halfway through the event.

Types of Alcohol

When it comes to the types of alcohol you should stock at your wedding bar, a typical recommendation is a mix of 50% liquor, 25% beer, and 25% wine. For wine, it is usually a 50/50 split between red and white, but you can adjust this based on the season and the time of day. For example, for a summer wedding or an evening reception, you may want to have more white wine or rosé. If you want to offer a wider variety, you can also include sparkling wine or champagne for a toast.

For liquor, it is advisable to have a selection of popular spirits such as vodka, bourbon, whiskey, tequila, gin, and rum. You don't need to offer a wide range of each spirit—focusing on good-quality, mid-priced brands is often a better option. This ensures that you don't end up with many half-empty bottles.

For beer, the amount you need will depend on your guests' preferences. As a guide, for 100 guests, you will need around 7 cases of beer (168 12-oz bottles) or a half-barrel keg (165 12-oz bottles).

Signature Cocktails

Signature cocktails are a great way to personalise your wedding and offer your guests something unique. Aim to have two to three signature cocktails, as offering too many can overwhelm your guests and slow down the bar service. These cocktails can be personalised to reflect the couple's personalities, such as naming a drink after their pet or where they met. Large-batch cocktails or cocktails on tap can also help you save money, as they are often cheaper than hiring a bartender or mixologist for the night.

Other Considerations

When stocking your wedding bar, don't forget to include mixers, ice, and non-alcoholic options for those who don't drink alcohol. You will also need to consider glassware and bartenders to serve the drinks. If you are providing your own alcohol, make sure you have a plan for transporting it to the wedding venue, as it can be a heavy haul.

How to save money when buying alcohol for a wedding

The average amount spent on a reception bar is $2,564, but this can increase to over $7,000 for a full open bar. Luckily, there are many ways to save money when buying alcohol for a wedding without sacrificing style or quality.

Choose a Reception Style That Gives Off Less of a Party Vibe

If your reception has a party feel, people will treat it as such and are likely to drink more. To get around this, opt for a breakfast or brunch reception with a selection of light cocktails. Most people will drink less at breakfast than they would at an 8 pm sit-down dinner. Alternatively, a cocktail-only reception will also help to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed.

Create a Signature Drink

Signature drinks are a memorable reflection of the couple and give your guests options. Serving your own kegged cocktails is cheaper than hiring a bartender or mixologist for the night. Sticking to three-ingredient cocktail recipes or fewer will also help reduce the bill.

Buy the Alcohol Yourself

If you buy all the alcohol yourself, you can avoid markup fees from your caterer or venue and shop around for the best deals. You can also buy alcohol in bulk, such as in kegs or wine boxes, and return any unopened bottles for a refund.

Shop Around for an All-Inclusive Package

It may be more cost-effective to find a venue that offers an all-inclusive wedding and reception package. Do the math and calculate whether this option will save you money.

Skip Some of the Unnecessary Drinks

You can save money by skipping the champagne toast and the cocktail hour between the ceremony and dinner reception. Instead, have your guests toast with whatever drink they have in their hand.

Reduce Your Drink Size

Ask your bartenders or venue to reduce the drink size. Offer smaller glasses of wine and beer, and make the cocktails light. This will make your alcohol last longer and prevent any particularly thirsty guests from getting too drunk.

Offer a Range of Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Some guests may only be drinking the alcoholic options because that's what's available. Offering a few non-alcoholic options, such as a virgin signature cocktail or a specialty coffee bar, may tempt them away from the pricier drinks.

Close the Bar on Occasion

Closing the bar for brief periods throughout the reception can cut down on costs. For example, you could close the bar during the meal and toasts, ensuring guests pay attention to the food and each other, or instruct bartenders to shut down for "cleaning" for 10-15 minutes every hour.

Consider Your Guests' Preferences

Take a moment to consider what kind of alcohol your guests prefer. If you have a big group of wine drinkers, put more money into purchasing classy wines. If you have a crowd of craft beer aficionados, invest in beer instead of wine and spirits.

Save the Special Stuff for Your Favorites

Most guests won't mind drinking well vodka or cheap wine, but you might have a guest or two who will look down on you if you don't have their favorite top-shelf bourbon or scotch. Instead of making these drinks available to everyone, buy just one bottle and instruct your bartender to serve it discreetly only to those particular guests.

Frequently asked questions