Wine As A Wedding Gift: Etiquette And Expectations

A bottle of wine is a great gift for a wedding. It is romantic and can be memorable for milestone anniversaries. If the couple loves wine and has a fine palate, an exclusive bottle will be appreciated. If they are casual drinkers, it is better to pick something widely enjoyed. It is important to get something the couple will like. If they love white wine, a nice bottle they may not typically splurge on will be a good choice. For red wine lovers, a Spanish red or a wine from New Zealand could be perfect. If you want the couple to open the wine later for a specific wedding anniversary, Bordeaux is a great choice as it ages well.

Budgeting for wine at a wedding

Estimate the Number of Guests and Their Drinking Preferences:

Start by estimating the number of guests who will be dining and drinking wine. This will give you a baseline for how much wine to purchase. Keep in mind that not everyone may drink wine, so adjust your estimate accordingly. Consider the drinking culture of your social circle and the preferences of your guests. If they are enthusiastic wine drinkers, you may want to be more generous with your allocation.

Calculate the Amount of Wine Needed:

Use a simple formula to calculate the amount of wine required. Multiply the number of guests by the allocation per guest. For example, if you have 100 guests and allocate 0.5 bottles per person, you will need 50 bottles of wine. If you want to be more generous, you can increase the allocation to 2/3 or 0.66 bottles per person.

Choose the Type of Wine:

Select a variety of wines to cater to different tastes. Consider including red wine, white wine, and possibly rosé. The weather and the season can also influence your choice. For example, diners tend to favour white wine in the summer and red wine in the winter. You can also match the wine to your menu with the help of your venue or caterers.

Consider Your Budget:

It is recommended to buy more bottles of good-quality, great-value wines over a few expensive bottles. Wedding-friendly red wines include merlot, young or Crianza Rioja, new world pinot noir, valpolicella, and Beaujolais. For white wines, consider sauvignon blanc, Chablis, gruner veltliner, or albariño/alvarinho. Don't forget to include some sparkling wine or Champagne for a toast if desired. Cava or Crémant de Loire are delicious and wallet-friendly alternatives to premium French fizz.

Be Mindful of Additional Costs:

Remember to factor in additional costs such as corkage fees charged by the venue, glass hire, and a reserve budget for breakages. These expenses can add up, so plan accordingly to avoid surprises.

Return Policy:

Finally, ask your venue and/or wine suppliers about their policy on unopened bottles. Some suppliers will refund or adjust your invoice for bottles that weren't needed, which can help you stay within your budget.

By following these tips and carefully estimating your needs, you can successfully budget for wine at your wedding while ensuring your guests have a great time.

How much wine is needed?

The amount of wine you will need for your wedding depends on several factors, including the number of guests, their drinking preferences, and how long the event will be.

Number of Guests

Firstly, you need to establish how many guests will be dining at the meal, including you and your partner. This number forms the basis of your calculations.

Wine Allocation Per Guest

Next, you need to decide how many bottles of wine you would like each guest to have. This will depend on how generous you want to be, the drinking culture in your social circle, and whether your guests are enthusiastic wine drinkers or not.

The most common answer is half a bottle of wine per person, but if you have keen wine drinkers in your group, you may want to increase this to two-thirds of a bottle per person. If it's not a big drinking crowd, and you know there will be lots of non-drinkers, you could consider a third of a bottle per person.

Type of Wine

You will also need to decide on the ratio of red to white wine. As a general rule, a 50/50 split is recommended, but this can be adjusted depending on the season, with diners favouring white wine in the summer and red wine in the winter. You could also consider offering rosé, in which case a third of your wine could be rosé, with the rest split equally between red and white.

Duration of Event

Finally, you need to consider how long the event will last. The average wedding guest consumes two drinks per hour, so you can multiply the number of guests by the number of hours to get the total number of drinks needed.

Example Calculations

For 150 guests, with a generous allocation of two-thirds of a bottle per person, you would need 100 bottles of wine (150 x 2/3 = 100).

For 275 guests, with a more modest allocation of half a bottle per person, you would need 138 bottles of wine (275 x 0.5 = 137.5, rounded up).

Additional Considerations

If you are unsure about your results, it is recommended to increase the amount by 10% to ensure you have enough wine and avoid fretting about it on your big day.

It is also worth checking the policy of your venue and/or wine suppliers regarding unopened bottles, as some will refund you for any bottles that aren't needed or adjust your invoice accordingly.

Alternative Approach

An alternative way to calculate the amount of wine needed is to follow the general rule of thumb that suggests having enough alcohol for two drinks per person per hour of your wedding, including all types of alcohol (wine, beer, and liquor). A typical ratio of alcohol served at a wedding is one-third beer, one-third liquor, and one-third wine per guest.

For example, for a wedding with 50 guests, you would need 500 total drinks (2 drinks per hour x 50 guests x 5 hours). Assuming one-third of the drinks are wine, this would mean you would need 167 glasses of wine (500 total drinks / 3). As there are approximately five glasses of wine per bottle, this equates to 34 bottles of wine (167 glasses / 5 glasses per bottle).

Choosing the right wine

If you're thinking of serving just wine at your wedding, there are a few things to consider to make sure you choose the right wine and the right amount.

Firstly, it's important to think about your guest list and how many guests will be drinking wine. This will help you determine the number of bottles you need. A common recommendation is to provide 1/2 a bottle of wine per guest, but this can vary depending on your budget and the drinking culture in your social circle. If your guests are enthusiastic wine drinkers, you may want to increase this to 2/3 of a bottle per person. On the other hand, if there will be a lot of non-drinkers or guests who prefer other types of alcohol, you may want to decrease the allocation to 1/3 of a bottle per person.

Next, you'll need to decide on the type of wine you want to serve. A good rule of thumb is to have a mix of red and white wine, with a 50/50 split. However, you can adjust this based on the season, with diners typically favouring white wine in the summer and red wine in the winter. You can also consider offering rosé, which is food-friendly, looks great in pictures, and feels festive.

When it comes to choosing specific types of wine, it's best to go for easy-drinking, crowd-pleasing options that will taste good with or without food. For red wine, consider options such as merlot, young or Crianza Rioja, new world pinot noir, valpolicella, or Beaujolais. For white wine, sauvignon blanc, Chablis, gruner veltliner, or albariño/alvarinho are safe choices.

Don't forget to also factor in any corkage fees charged by your venue and the cost of glass hire or the possibility of breakages.

Finally, if you're looking for a way to personalise your wine choices, consider selecting wines from a region that is special to you or that matches your honeymoon destination. This can add a unique and memorable touch to your wedding.

Corkage fees and glass hire

Corkage fees are a charge levied by venues for opening and serving wine, sparkling wine, champagne, and spirits that are bought externally by customers and intended to be consumed on-site. The fee covers the cost of chilling (if needed), uncorking, pouring, and serving drinks to guests in rented stemware. It also covers operational costs such as staffing, glassware, product storage, and liquor liability.

The fee typically depends on the price of the wine and the amount consumed. It can be charged per bottle or per person. Per bottle, corkage fees can range from $1.50 to $3 per bottle, while per person, it can be $7-$10. Some venues charge higher corkage fees, especially vineyards that exclusively serve their own wine.

If you want to avoid corkage fees, you can ask your venue or catering company to supply the alcohol. However, even with corkage fees, bringing your own alcohol may still be more cost-effective.

Additionally, glass hire is another cost to consider. Glass hire companies typically charge per glass, and the price can vary depending on the type and quality of the glassware. It's important to factor in the number of guests and the types of drinks you plan to serve when calculating the cost of glass hire.

To save money, some couples may choose to return any unopened wine or beer, as some suppliers allow returns. Others may opt for disposable cups or ask guests to bring their own cups or glasses. These alternatives can reduce the overall cost of the wedding.

Wine as a wedding gift

Wine is a popular drink option at weddings, and it can also be a great gift for the happy couple. When considering giving wine as a wedding gift, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your gift is thoughtful and well-received.

First, it is important to consider the couple's preferences and tastes. If they are wine enthusiasts, choosing a bottle that aligns with their palate can be a thoughtful gesture. Take note of the wines they usually drink or ask their close friends or family for recommendations. This way, you can select a bottle that they will truly appreciate and enjoy.

Second, the type of wine you choose can depend on the occasion. Consider the season and the couple's wedding theme or colours. For a summer wedding, bright and breezy whites like Vinho Verde or Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc can be a perfect choice. If it's an elegant winter wedding, consider classic and structured reds like Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir. Rosé is also an excellent option, as it is food-friendly, looks fantastic in pictures, and feels celebratory.

Third, presentation matters. Consider presenting the wine in a beautiful gift box or basket, perhaps with some accessories like wine glasses or a corkscrew. You could even include a personalised note or card with a thoughtful message. Additionally, if the couple is planning to consume the wine during their wedding, you may want to provide enough for their guests as well. A safe estimate is to plan for a glass of champagne or fizz per guest for the aperitif and another for a toast, plus 3/4 bottle per person with dinner.

Finally, don't forget to think about your budget. Wedding-worthy wines don't have to be expensive. Instead of splurging on a few premium bottles, consider buying several good-quality, great-value wines. This way, you can provide the couple with a generous gift that they can enjoy on their special day and perhaps even share with their guests.

Giving wine as a wedding gift can be a wonderful way to celebrate the couple's happiness. By considering their tastes, the occasion, presentation, and your budget, you can choose a wine gift that is both thoughtful and memorable.

Frequently asked questions