Creating Customized Drinks For Your Wedding: A Guide

Planning a wedding can be stressful, and deciding on the drinks is no exception. While some couples choose to have an open bar, others may opt for a more limited selection or even a 'buy your own drinks' bar. If you're thinking of supplying your own drinks for your wedding, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to know your crowd – will most of your guests be drinkers, or will there be a mix of drinkers and non-drinkers? This will help you decide on the types and quantities of drinks to serve.

Another factor to consider is the time and location of your wedding. Generally, people tend to drink less at daytime weddings, so you may need to adjust your calculations accordingly. The season and climate can also play a role – for example, serving more white wine, beer, and refreshing cocktails in the summer.

To make sure you have enough drinks, you can use a wedding alcohol calculator, which takes into account factors such as guest count, duration of the reception, and the types of drinks you plan to serve. It's always better to buy a little more than you think you'll need, as running out of drinks during the celebration is something you'll want to avoid.

When it comes to the drinks themselves, it's a good idea to offer a variety, including beer, wine, spirits, and mixers. You may also want to consider signature cocktails or mocktails to add a personal touch. Don't forget to include non-alcoholic options as well, such as water, soft drinks, and maybe even a coffee station.

Lastly, don't forget to plan for delivery and set-up. If you're supplying your own drinks, you'll need to coordinate with your venue and make sure someone is available to receive the delivery. By taking the time to plan and calculate your drink needs, you can ensure that your wedding celebration is a success, with happy and well-hydrated guests.

How much alcohol to buy

When it comes to weddings, it's important to keep the drinks flowing. But how much alcohol should you buy for your big day? Here are some tips to help you plan:

Know Your Crowd

It's crucial to take an honest inventory of your wedding attendees and their drinking habits. Consider if they prefer wine, beer, or cocktails, and don't forget about any special requests, like Uncle Tommy's Chardonnay at a particular temperature. Adjust your calculations accordingly if a significant number of your guests don't drink alcohol.

Use a Wedding Alcohol Calculator

Online wedding alcohol calculators can be incredibly helpful in determining how much alcohol to buy. These calculators take into account various factors, such as guest count, duration of the reception, drinking habits of your guests, whether you'll have a champagne toast, and the number of signature cocktails you plan to offer.

For example, for a 5-hour reception with 100 guests who are average drinkers, and including a champagne toast, you'll need approximately:

• 17 bottles of champagne (750 ml)
• 10 bottles of red wine (750 ml)
• 10 bottles of white wine (750 ml)
• 11 bottles of spirits (1 liter)
• 100 cans or bottles of beer

If you're having 150 guests, the amounts increase accordingly:

• 25 bottles of champagne (750 ml)
• 15 bottles of red wine (750 ml)
• 15 bottles of white wine (750 ml)
• 16 bottles of spirits (1 liter)
• 150 cans or bottles of beer

Signature Cocktails and Variety

If you're offering signature cocktails, it's recommended to have no more than 3-5 options to avoid complicating orders and slowing down bar service. When it comes to spirits, vodka, bourbon, tequila, gin, and rum are generally sufficient.

For wine, it's best to have at least one red and one white, but you can also offer additional options like sparkling, rosé, or multiple varietals of red and white.

For beer, it's nice to provide at least two types, but if you're only serving beer and wine, consider offering up to four different beers for variety.

Time of Day and Season

The time of day and season of your wedding will also impact alcohol consumption. For a brunch or lunch wedding, you can scale back the total drinks by about 15%. In warmer months or climates, plan for more white wine, beer, refreshing cocktails, and water.

Return Policy

Consider purchasing your alcohol from a store that allows returns of unopened bottles. This way, you can buy more than you think you need without worrying about wasting money on unused alcohol.

Glassware and Non-Alcoholic Options

Don't forget to consider the size of your glassware, as larger glasses may encourage larger servings. It's also important to provide non-alcoholic options and ensure that water is readily available for self-service to keep your guests hydrated.

By following these tips and using a wedding alcohol calculator, you can ensure that your wedding has a well-stocked bar and that your guests have a great time celebrating with you.

What types of alcohol to buy

When it comes to choosing the types of alcohol to buy for your wedding, it's important to consider your guests' preferences and the season. Here are some recommendations on what types of alcohol to buy:

Beer

Beer is a popular choice for weddings, and it's a good idea to offer a few different options to cater to various tastes. Opt for a mix of light, drinkable beers such as Corona and Modelo, and include some craft beers or local brews for guests who prefer something more unique.

Wine

Wine is typically served during cocktail hour and with the meal. It's recommended to have at least one red wine and one white wine, but you may also want to consider offering a rosé or sparkling wine. The amount of each type of wine you buy may depend on the season, with more white wine and rosé typically being consumed during warmer months and red wine being preferred in the winter.

Spirits

If you plan to offer a full bar, it's best to have at least one type of each of the following: tequila, vodka, gin, and a whiskey or bourbon. Vodka is the most popular choice for a single spirit, as it is easy to drink and mixes well with almost everything. Gin is also a good choice as it is very popular in cocktails at the moment. If you want to narrow it down to two types, vodka and bourbon are the most common choices. However, if you know your guests are avid tequila drinkers, for example, you may want to include this instead.

Mixers and Garnishes

Don't forget to purchase mixers such as club soda, tonic, and cola, as well as garnishes like lemons and limes. These are essential for crafting cocktails and giving your guests options.

Other Alcoholic Drinks

Hard seltzers like White Claw or High Noon are also a good idea, as they are very popular at the moment.

Amount to Buy

It's recommended that you assume each guest will have at least two drinks in the first two hours and then about one drink per hour for the rest of the night. This equates to around five drinks per person. It's always better to buy a little more than you think you need, as you don't want to run out halfway through the reception. You can usually return any unopened or unchilled bottles.

When to buy alcohol in bulk

When it comes to buying alcohol in bulk for your wedding, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is recommended that you know your crowd and their drinking preferences. Are they heavy drinkers, or will there be children and non-drinkers present? This will help you determine the quantity and type of alcohol you need to buy.

Next, decide on the type of bar you want at your wedding. A full bar with a variety of liquors, beers, and wines will require a different approach than a beer-and-wine-only bar or a modified full bar that offers a few types of liquor and a wider selection of beer and wine.

Now, let's talk about timing. It is generally recommended to buy alcohol for your wedding one to two weeks in advance. This gives you enough time to transport and store the alcohol and ensures it will be fresh for your big day. Buying in advance also allows you to take advantage of sales or discounts that may be available at certain times of the year. For example, you may find seasonal deals around the holidays or during the summer months when there are more weddings and events.

When buying alcohol in bulk, it is a good idea to compare prices at different stores and warehouses, such as Costco, Sam's Club, or local liquor stores, as pricing can vary. Don't forget to ask about bulk discounts, as many stores offer discounts for large orders. If you have a connection with someone in the military, you can also take advantage of the best prices and no tax at the Exchange.

Finally, consider the logistics of transporting and storing the alcohol. Buying in bulk means you will need a vehicle large enough to transport the alcohol and a cool, dry place to store it safely until your wedding day.

By following these tips, you can ensure you have enough drinks to keep the celebration going and create a memorable experience for you and your guests.

What to do with excess alcohol

It's not uncommon for couples to be left with excess alcohol after their wedding. Here are some ideas on what to do with it:

• Drink it over time. Alcohol can be saved and consumed at a later date.
• Throw a party. This is a great excuse to get friends and family together to celebrate your recent nuptials and make a dent in your leftover alcohol supply.
• Give it away as gifts. The holidays are a great time to give away alcohol as gifts.
• Return it. Some liquor stores will buy back unopened bottles or give refunds for extra bottles.
• Sell it. It is illegal to sell alcohol without a license, but you could try listing it online.
• Donate it. Consider donating it to a local shelter or charity that may accept alcohol.

It is important to note that local laws may restrict what you can do with excess alcohol. For example, it is illegal to return alcohol in California. Additionally, some states do not allow the purchase of alcohol on Sundays.

Whether buying alcohol in bulk saves money

If you're supplying the alcohol for your wedding, you may be wondering whether it's worth buying in bulk to save money. The short answer is yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Firstly, it's important to know your crowd. Take an honest inventory of your wedding attendees and their drinking habits. Are they mostly beer drinkers, wine enthusiasts, or cocktail lovers? Knowing this will help you determine what types of alcohol to buy and how much.

When it comes to how much alcohol to buy, it's generally recommended to assume that each guest will have at least two drinks in the first two hours and continue at a rate of about one drink per hour for the rest of the night. This means you should plan for at least five drinks per person. It's always better to buy a little more than you think you need, as you can usually return any unopened or unchilled bottles.

If you're not sure how much alcohol to buy, there are digital drink calculators available online that can help you determine the right quantities. These calculators take into account factors such as the number of guests, the duration of the reception, and the type of alcohol being served.

When buying alcohol in bulk, it's a good idea to purchase a variety of options, including beer, wine, and different liquors. This ensures that there's something to suit everyone's preferences. However, if you're not planning to hire a bartender, you may want to simplify the bar menu and offer a few different beer and wine options at a minimum.

Another thing to consider is the season and the time of your wedding. For example, at a summer wedding, you'll likely need more white wine, rosé, and refreshing cocktails, while a winter wedding may call for more red wine and full-bodied cocktails.

In terms of specific types of alcohol, here are some recommendations:

• Beer: Offer a few light, drinkable options like Corona and Modelo, and supplement with other popular or local brews.
• Wine: Stock up on both red and white wine, with slightly more white wine for warm-weather weddings. Rosé is also a good option, especially during the summer.
• Hard alcohol: Choose one type each of tequila, vodka, gin, and a whiskey or bourbon if offering a full bar. Don't forget to purchase mixers, garnishes, and glassware as well.

It's also worth mentioning that hard seltzers like White Claw or High Noon are increasingly popular, so you may want to include those as well.

When it comes to purchasing, it's best to wait until you have your final guest count to ensure you're buying the right quantities. In general, you'll want to place your order or pick up the alcohol at least three weeks before the wedding.

Finally, don't forget to ask your liquor retailer about their return policy. You may be able to return any unopened or unchilled bottles, which can help save money.

By following these tips, you can save money on your wedding alcohol while still ensuring your guests have a variety of drinks to enjoy.

Frequently asked questions