Alcohol At Weddings: What You Need To Know

Alcohol is a key part of many weddings, with free-flowing drinks creating a celebratory, jubilant atmosphere that promotes social interaction. However, the cost of alcohol is one of the main reasons why couples consider not serving it at their wedding. If you're planning to serve alcohol at your wedding, there are a few things you need to know, from managing your guests' alcohol consumption to staying within your budget and legal requirements.

What are the costs of serving alcohol at my wedding?

The cost of alcohol for a wedding depends on several factors, including the number of guests, the length of the reception, the type of alcohol, and the drinking habits of your guests. Here are some estimates and tips to help you plan and budget for serving alcohol at your wedding:

Average Costs for Alcohol at Weddings

According to The Knot's 2023 Real Weddings Study, the average cost of alcohol for a wedding was just under $2,800. However, this amount can vary significantly depending on the number of guests. For weddings with 50 or fewer guests, couples spent an average of $1,430 on alcohol, while weddings with 51 to 100 guests averaged around $2,200. Weddings with more than 100 guests spent over $3,500 on alcoholic beverages.

Factors Affecting the Cost

The number of guests is a significant factor in determining the cost of alcohol. The more guests you have, the higher the alcohol bill will be. Another factor is the duration of your reception. If your reception lasts for several hours, you will need to provide drinks for a more extended period, increasing the overall cost. The type of alcohol you serve will also impact your budget. Vodka, gin, and whiskey are typically more expensive than beer and wine. If you choose to serve only wine and beer or opt for a signature drink, you can save money.

Tips to Reduce Costs

• Choose a venue that allows you to bring your own alcohol. This can significantly reduce costs and give you more control over the price and selection of drinks.
• Stick to beer, wine, and a signature drink instead of offering a full open bar. This can help you manage costs while still providing a variety of options for your guests.
• Close the bar for the last hour of the reception or during the dinner hour. This can be a subtle way to reduce alcohol consumption and save money without drawing too much attention.
• Consider a brunch or daytime wedding, as guests tend to drink less during these events.
• Hire a professional bartender who can help you estimate the amount of alcohol needed and ensure drinks are served responsibly.
• Offer a limited selection of spirits to avoid buying more alcohol than you need. Vodka, bourbon, tequila, gin, and rum are typically sufficient to satisfy most guests.
• Choose mid-priced, good-quality brands over expensive top-shelf options.
• Work with your caterer and bartender to select wines that complement the food menu.
• If you plan to have a champagne toast, be aware that guests often stick with their drink of choice, resulting in unfinished glasses of champagne. You may want to consider passing out only a small amount in each glass for the toast.

Alcohol Calculator

To help you estimate the amount and cost of alcohol needed for your wedding, you can use an alcohol calculator. These tools consider factors such as the number of guests, party duration, type of drinks, and drinking habits of your guests to provide a fast and accurate estimate. This can be extremely helpful in planning and budgeting for your wedding.

What types of alcohol should I serve?

When it comes to choosing the types of alcohol to serve at your wedding, there are a few key factors to consider. Firstly, it's important to have a variety of options to cater to different tastes. Secondly, the amount and type of alcohol you serve may depend on your budget and how much your guests are likely to drink. Here are some ideas for the types of alcohol you can serve at your wedding:

Beer and Wine

Beer and wine are classic choices for a wedding and can stand on their own as sufficient options. When in doubt, it's a good idea to pick something you and your guests like to drink. The most common choices for beer include domestic options such as Bud Light, and imported varieties like Corona or Heineken. For wine, Chardonnay and Cabernet are the most popular choices, but you can also consider Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc. If you want to offer a wider range, include a rosé or sparkling wine as well.

Spirits

If you want to include spirits at your wedding, it's best to offer a limited selection to avoid wasting alcohol. Vodka and bourbon are the two most common choices for weddings, as they are easily drinkable on their own and can be used in signature cocktails. Gin and rum are also popular and versatile options for cocktails. If you want to offer another variety, tequila, Irish whiskey, vermouth, and cognac are all possible choices, but these are less common and may be more likely to go to waste.

Champagne

Champagne is often considered essential for a wedding, especially for toasts. However, you may want to consider offering less expensive sparkling wines such as cava or prosecco, as true French champagne can be quite costly. If you're serving champagne, it's a good idea to spend a little more to ensure quality, and always buy more than you think you'll need.

Signature Cocktails

Signature cocktails can be a fun and personalised addition to your wedding. It's best to offer no more than five options to keep things simple for your guests and bartenders. You can also include a mocktail or two for those who don't drink alcohol.

Non-Alcoholic Options

Even if you're serving alcohol, it's a good idea to provide non-alcoholic options as well. This can include specialty sodas, flavoured waters, exotic juice blends, or a tea, coffee, or hot chocolate bar.

Remember, the most important thing is to ensure your guests have a good time and that you're comfortable with the options you're providing. By offering a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices, you can ensure that everyone will be able to find something they enjoy.

How much alcohol should I buy?

There are many factors to consider when determining how much alcohol to buy for your wedding. The first is the number of guests you will be serving. The general rule of thumb is to plan for one drink per guest per hour, but some guests may drink more, and some less. The length of your reception is also important—a longer reception will require more drinks.

Next, consider your guests' drinking preferences. If you know that many of your guests are non-drinkers or light drinkers, you can reduce the amount of alcohol you buy. On the other hand, if your guests include connoisseurs with expensive tastes or heavy drinkers, you may need to buy higher-quality drinks and more of them.

The type of alcohol you serve will also impact how much you need to buy. If you are offering a full bar, you will need a variety of liquors, mixers, wines, and beers. If you are only serving wine and beer, you will need less variety but may need to purchase larger quantities. According to retailers, for a beer and wine-only menu, about 60% of guests will choose wine and 40% will choose beer. For a full bar, 70-80% of guests will drink beer and wine, while 20-30% will drink spirits.

The drinking habits of your guests will also impact how much you need. If you are expecting a lot of heavy drinkers, you may want to buy more alcohol than if your guests are mostly light drinkers.

Finally, the type of bar you are having will impact your alcohol needs. A cash bar, where guests pay for their own drinks, will result in fewer drinks being purchased than an open bar, where the host pays for all drinks. A limited open bar, where only beer and wine are served, will also require less alcohol than a full open bar.

• Champagne (750 ml): 17, 25, or 33 bottles
• Red Wine (750 ml): 10, 15, or 20 bottles
• White Wine (750 ml): 10, 15, or 20 bottles
• Spirits (1 liter): 11, 16, or 21 bottles
• Beer: 100, 150, or 200 cans or bottles

What are the legal ramifications of serving alcohol at my wedding?

Serving alcohol at your wedding can be a great way to get the party started and encourage your guests to dance the night away. However, as the host, you should be aware of the legal ramifications that come with serving alcoholic beverages. Here are some important considerations to keep in mind:

Legal Age Restrictions

Firstly, it is essential to ensure that all guests consuming alcohol are of legal drinking age. In most places, the legal drinking age is 21, and it is illegal to serve alcohol to minors. As the host, you should instruct your bartenders to check IDs and refrain from serving anyone under the legal drinking age.

Liquor Laws and Insurance

Different states and countries have varying liquor laws that you must comply with. It is crucial to understand the regulations in your area, as some locations may prohibit a "BYOB" (Bring Your Own Beverage) policy, while others may allow it if the venue has a proper liquor license. Additionally, consider obtaining liability insurance to protect yourself and everyone involved in the event of accidents or incidents related to alcohol consumption. Some venues or caterers may also require you to have a certain level of insurance coverage.

Bartender Certification

Depending on your location, your bartenders may be required to have specific certifications or licenses to serve alcohol. Check with your state or local requirements to ensure that your bartenders meet the necessary qualifications. This may include a specific course, certification, or license. In some places, such as Canada, there is a specific program called "Serving It Right" that bartenders need to complete.

Liquor Liability Insurance

When serving alcohol at your wedding, it is highly recommended to obtain liquor liability insurance. This type of insurance coverage protects you in case of incidents or accidents related to alcohol consumption by your guests. It is a safety net that can provide financial protection if any alcohol-related issues arise.

Safe Transportation for Guests

As a responsible host, it is important to ensure that your guests have a safe way to get home after consuming alcohol at your wedding. Encourage guests to arrange designated drivers or offer alternatives such as taxi or ride-sharing services. You could also arrange for a shuttle service to ensure your guests get back to their accommodations safely.

Managing Guest Consumption

While you want your guests to enjoy themselves, it is important to monitor their alcohol consumption to prevent over-intoxication. Communicate with your bartenders to ensure they are trained to identify when a guest has had too much to drink and can discreetly cut them off without causing a scene. Additionally, offering non-alcoholic alternatives and food can help slow down alcohol consumption and ensure your guests are staying within safe limits.

How do I handle guests who drink too much?

While weddings are a time to celebrate and let loose, it's not uncommon for guests to overindulge in alcohol. Here are some tips to handle guests who drink too much:

Before the Wedding

Communicate with your guests beforehand. If you have a friend or family member who tends to overindulge at events, have a conversation with them before your wedding. Let them know that you want them to enjoy themselves, but also set clear boundaries on what you consider to be "too far." It's also a good idea to give a heads-up to your venue's security or wedding planner so they can keep an eye on certain individuals.

During the Wedding

Limit the selection to wine and beer. Since liquors have a higher alcohol content, opting for a wine and beer-only bar can help reduce the chances of guests getting too intoxicated.

No shots or double drinks. Inform the bartending staff that shots will not be served, and double drinks are not allowed. This simple rule can help prevent guests from consuming too much alcohol too quickly.

Close the bar during dinner. Shutting down bar service during dinner means guests can only enjoy table wine with their meal. This break in alcohol service gives guests a chance to slow down and sober up if needed.

Keep guests hydrated. Ensure that water is readily available by setting up water jugs at the bar and having serving staff top up glasses. Hydration is crucial to prevent intoxication and can help guests pace themselves.

After the Wedding

Send them home. If a guest appears to be heavily intoxicated and needs to be in bed, it may be time to send them home. Lean on your wedding staff, such as security or on-site coordinators, to handle this situation discreetly.

Schedule transportation. Whether a guest has had a few drinks or many, they should not drive home. Prevent any incidents by keeping the contact information of a local cab company handy and ensuring transportation is available for guests who need it.

General Tips

Offer non-alcoholic alternatives. In addition to alcoholic drinks, provide a variety of non-alcoholic options, such as mocktails, specialty sodas, flavoured waters, or exotic juice blends. This gives guests the opportunity to dial down their alcohol consumption without feeling left out.

Close the bar early. Consider closing the bar about an hour before the wedding ends. This gives guests more time to process the alcohol and may result in them consuming less overall.

Offer late-night snacks. Providing guests with snacks before they depart can help soak up the alcohol. Pizza, sliders, or other carb-heavy options are excellent choices if your budget allows.

By implementing these strategies, you can help ensure that your guests enjoy themselves responsibly, and you can focus on celebrating your special day without worrying about excessive drinking.

Frequently asked questions