
Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to figuring out how much food and drink to provide. One important consideration is how many bottles of water to supply for guests. While it may not be the most glamorous aspect of wedding planning, ensuring that guests stay hydrated is crucial, especially if the wedding is outdoors or in a warm climate.
So, how many bottles of water are needed for a wedding?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Bottles | One bottle per guest, or 2-3 bottles per guest if they are likely to be dancing a lot. |
| Bottle Size | Smaller bottles are preferable to reduce waste. |
| Suppliers | Sam's Club, Costco, BJs, Walmart, WeddingWire, Personalized Bottle Water, and Great Little Favor Co. |
| Customization | Custom labels and designs are available from some suppliers. |
| Presentation | Bottles can be placed in galvanized buckets filled with ice, preferably in the shade or near the bar. |
| Environmental Impact | Bottled water can be wasteful and bad for the environment; consider pitchers or dispensers as an alternative. |
| Photography | Some consider bottled water to be unsightly in wedding photos. |
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What You'll Learn

How many bottles of water to buy for a wedding
Planning a wedding can be stressful, and it's easy to forget some of the smaller details, like how much water to buy. It's important to keep your guests hydrated, especially if you're having an outdoor wedding in hot weather.
The general rule of thumb is to provide one bottle of water per guest, or you can go by the 75% rule, which means providing enough water for 75% of your guests, as that's roughly the number of guests present during the ceremony. However, some sources suggest providing 2-3 bottles per person, especially if your wedding is outdoors or in hot weather, as people will need to keep hydrated. It's also a good idea to have extra water on hand for the caterers and in case you run out of other drinks.
To save on plastic waste, you might consider providing pitchers of water on the tables instead of individual bottles. This also looks nicer in photos. If you do go with bottled water, look for stores that sell them in bulk, like Costco, Sam's Club, or BJ's, as it will be more affordable.
Don't forget to have a recycling bin nearby for guests to dispose of their bottles, and consider placing the water in a location that's easily accessible but not in the direct line of photos, such as near the ceremony programs table.
Lastly, if you're providing welcome bags for your guests, including a bottle of water is a nice touch. You can even customise the labels to add a personal touch.
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Where to buy bottled water in bulk for a wedding
When planning a wedding, it is important to ensure that guests remain hydrated, especially if the wedding is outdoors. There are several options available for buying bottled water in bulk for a wedding.
Firstly, it is worth checking with the wedding venue, as some venues offer bottled water for guests as part of the package. If not, there are various stores that offer affordable bulk-buy options for bottled water. These include Costco, Sam's Club, and BJs, which can provide significant savings compared to buying from a regular grocery store. For example, Sam's Club offers water at a competitive rate of around $3.85 for 36 bottles.
Another option is to purchase glass water bottles, which can be more aesthetically pleasing than plastic bottles and are available from suppliers like bkr. Glass bottles can also be refilled, reducing waste, and they can be dressed up with fruit or vegetables for a fancier look.
For those who want to personalise their water bottles, companies like Personalized Bottled Water offer customised labels that can be designed to match the wedding's colour scheme, theme, and style. These labels can be added to standard water bottles purchased in bulk.
Finally, it is worth considering the amount of water needed. A good rule of thumb is to offer at least one bottle of water per guest, or follow the 75% rule, providing enough water for 75% of guests, assuming some will not be present during the ceremony. However, for outdoor weddings, especially in warm weather, it may be wise to plan for three bottles per guest to ensure everyone stays hydrated.
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Pros and cons of bottled water vs pitchers of water
When it comes to choosing between bottled water and pitchers of water for your wedding, there are several factors to consider. Here are the pros and cons of each option:
Bottled Water Pros:
- Convenience: Bottled water is easy to purchase in bulk and can be distributed quickly to guests, especially if your wedding is outdoors or in a remote location.
- Safety: In certain situations, bottled water may be necessary to ensure safe drinking water, such as when the local water supply is contaminated or not potable.
- Portability: Bottled water allows guests to carry their drinks around, especially if there are limited tables or surfaces for placing glasses or cups.
Bottled Water Cons:
- Environmental Impact: Plastic water bottles contribute to waste and pollution, and the production of bottled water has a significantly higher environmental impact than tap water.
- Cost: Bottled water can be expensive, especially when providing for a large number of guests.
- Waste: Smaller bottles may result in more waste if guests do not finish the entire bottle.
Pitchers of Water Pros:
- Environmental Friendliness: Using pitchers of water reduces plastic waste and is a more sustainable option, especially if you use a water filtration system or pitcher.
- Cost-Effective: Pitchers of water are generally more affordable than bottled water, and any leftover water can still be consumed later.
- Flexibility: Pitchers allow you to offer different varieties of water, such as flavoured or infused water, and can be refilled as needed.
Pitchers of Water Cons:
- Refill Requirement: Pitchers need to be refilled regularly, which may require additional staff or attention during the event.
- Sanitation: Depending on the type of pitcher and the number of guests, sanitation may be a concern, especially if guests are serving themselves.
- Space Constraints: Pitchers take up table space, and you may need to provide additional tables or surfaces for them.
Ultimately, the decision between bottled water and pitchers of water depends on your specific needs and preferences. Bottled water may be more convenient and portable, especially for outdoor weddings, but it comes with environmental and cost concerns. Pitchers of water offer a more sustainable and cost-effective solution but may require more attention and planning. For a wedding, a combination of both options might be ideal, providing bottled water for guests to take with them and pitchers of water on the tables to reduce waste and cost.
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How to personalise bottled water for a wedding
Personalised bottled water can be a great addition to your wedding. It can be a fun keepsake for those who attend your wedding and can be designed to blend your ideas with the artwork from your wedding programs. Here are some tips on how to personalise bottled water for your wedding:
Choose the right water bottle supplier:
Select a supplier that offers customisation options and works with you to create a design that fits your wedding theme and colours. Some suppliers have gifted on-staff graphic artists who can help bring your ideas to life.
Consider the quantity:
Determine the number of water bottles needed based on the number of guests and the duration of your wedding. As a rule of thumb, offer at least one bottle per guest, or consider the 75% rule, providing enough bottles for 75% of your expected guests. For a hot summer wedding, you may need more bottles to keep your guests cool and hydrated.
Customise the labels:
Work with your chosen supplier to design personalised labels that reflect your wedding style and theme. Include your names, wedding date, and any special artwork or messages you want to convey. You can also remove the original labels from the water bottles and replace them with your custom-designed ones.
Display the water bottles effectively:
Place the personalised water bottles in galvanised buckets filled with ice to keep them cool. Position the buckets in a visible location, such as near the ceremony programs table or at an outdoor bar if you have one. Ensure there is a recycling bin nearby for guests to dispose of the bottles after use.
Offer alternatives:
In addition to personalised water bottles, consider providing pitchers of water on the tables to reduce plastic waste. This can also create a more elegant look for your wedding, especially if you want to avoid plastic water bottles in your photographs.
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How to display bottled water at a wedding
There are many ways to display bottled water at a wedding. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Location, Location, Location
Firstly, consider where your guests will be throughout the day and how easily accessible the water will be. If your wedding is outdoors, it is a good idea to have bottled water available during the ceremony, especially if it is hot and humid. You could place the water near the back of the aisle, off to the side, and near your ceremony programs table. If you have an outdoor bar, place the bottled water there, too.
Presentation
You could place your water bottles on ice in a galvanized tub or bucket. This will help keep the water cold and make it look more appealing. You could also add a personalised touch by removing the labels from the water bottles and adding your own custom labels that match your wedding design.
Portion Sizes
Consider how much water your guests will drink. If you are set on providing plastic bottles, 2-3 per person would be a safe amount. However, this will create a lot of waste, so you may want to consider smaller bottles or providing water in pitchers or jugs on the tables instead. This will also look nicer in your photos.
Suppliers
If you want to personalise your water bottles, there are companies that can supply custom-made bottles for your wedding. Alternatively, you can buy bulk bottled water from stores like Costco, Sam's Club, or BJ's to save money.
Other Considerations
Remember to provide a recycling bin for guests to dispose of their bottles. You may also want to consider providing other drinks, such as tea, lemonade, or juice, in addition to water.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to have 1-2 cups or 350ml of water per guest. This equates to around 2-3 bottles of water per guest, depending on the bottle size.
For 100 guests, you will need around 200-300 bottles of water.
For 150 guests, you will need around 300-450 bottles of water.
Yes, you can provide pitchers of tap water or jugs of flavoured water infused with fruit. This can help to reduce plastic waste and is more cost-effective.











































