You’re getting married to your best friend, and it’s worthy of an anniversary celebration. For a lot of people (and those who attend! ), This means one thing, which is alcohol. Lots of it.
The world of wedding alcohol can be overwhelming. Should you choose to have either an open or cash bar? What kind of drinks can you offer? What is the amount of alcohol you actually require?
Take a moment! Do not decide that it’s better to invite the guests you invite to BYOB at this point (although we’ll not judge you for it if you choose to do so). This is everything you need to know about alcohol at weddings.
Should You Have An Open Bar or A Cash Bar At Your Wedding?
Of all your choices of open bars, one is the most costly – therefore, it’s all about the amount you’re willing to spend. However, an open bar does not necessarily mean you have to put on the show, so think about various types of open bars before asking the guests you invite to contribute. For daytime and lunchtime weddings, as an example, the wine and beer bar is usually sufficient.
However, in the event that you’re on the tighter side of your budget and want to keep it simple, a cash bar can be a viable alternative. Your guests can consume whatever they like, and you don’t have to worry about paying for the cost! One thing we’ll mention is that if it’s possible to be able, it’s a great idea to make sure you’ve included champagne to toast the guests.
What Drinks Should You Serve At Your Wedding
In addition, it is recommended to provide at minimum one soft drink and plenty of water.
A small selection of drinks is a great method to reduce costs and also speed up service. We’d suggest that spirits are the first drink to be eliminated. The use of spirits (especially shots) can put prices – and your guests! The limit is reached and should be discarded for a pre-mixed cocktail. A signature drink is the perfect addition to any menu for wedding drinks, regardless of whether it’s a custom drink designed especially for you or a traditional cocktail with a particular significance for the guests you’re hosting. You can even name the drink after yourself!
If you are looking to offer a smaller beverage selection, you may consider offering the following options:
Also, it is recommended to offer at minimum one soft drink as well as water to top this.
How Alcohol Should You Buy For Your Wedding?
It is recommended to allow the equivalent of two cocktails per hour for each guest at your drinks reception and one drink per hour for each guest from that point on. The numbers aren’t as big as you would have expected, but keep in mind that for every person who enjoys a martini, there’s an aunt who’ll take a sip of a glass of bubbly. Additionally, there will be guests who will not drink anything at any time. We usually set aside mixers and soft drinks in the 25% range for our guests.
If you’re interested in others, 75% are the best! The general rule is that wine is the most requested drink for ceremonies, followed by beers and then spirits. But always consider your audience! If you are planning the time of an Irish tradition, Guinness could be a popular choice – whereas when you and your spouse reside in or from the West Country, cider could be the most popular drink. We suggest keeping the date in your mind. In summer, it’s unlikely most people will opt for red wine and instead opt for champagne, white wine, or lighter beers. In winter, on the other hand, it’s expected to see many people drinking more red wine or darker beers.
Once you have a general idea about what guests are likely to drink, you can break the drinks into portions:
(number of guest x length of the drinks reception 2x 0.75) + (number of guests x length of the afterparty x 0.75)
Always order at least 15% more than this – to ensure you know that, no matter what you drink, you’re not running out of alcohol! If you can, buy your booze on a “sale or return if unopened” basis. If not , don’t fret; the alcohol won’t get out, and you’ll be able to maintain the fun by having an after-party celebration.
