Franklin Dean
Planning a wedding reception involves many considerations, and the drinks menu is a crucial aspect that significantly impacts the celebration. Couples have various options, from bubbly champagne and elegant cocktails to classic wines and beers, each offering a unique experience for the guests. The drinks served at the reception set the tone for the festivities, and choosing the right mix of beverages ensures that the celebration is memorable for everyone. Whether it's a limited open bar or a self-service setup, the drinks offered at a wedding reception should cater to diverse tastes and preferences while reflecting the couple's personality and style.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Alcohol | Liquor, beer, wine, bubbly/Champagne, cocktails |
| Variety of Drinks | Yes, it's important to provide a range of drinks to cater to different tastes and preferences |
| Number of Drinks | Two drinks per guest per hour is a good rule of thumb |
| Signature Drinks | Optional, but can add a personal touch; consider a "his and hers" signature cocktail |
| Non-Alcoholic Drinks | Yes, include options like soda, tea, agua fresca, lemonade, and mocktails |
| Seasonal Options | Consider incorporating seasonal ingredients, e.g., apple cider for a fall wedding |
| Budget | A bar can be 10%-20% of the wedding budget; consider a limited menu or a limited open bar to manage costs |
| Guest Count | The number of drinks needed depends on the number of guests and the duration of the reception |
| Wedding Style | The style and season of the wedding can influence the types and quantities of drinks served |
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What You'll Learn
Beer, wine, and bubbly
When it comes to choosing the drinks for your wedding reception, there are a lot of variables to consider, such as guest count, season, and wedding style. Beer, wine, and bubbly are classic choices for wedding beverages, and some couples choose to serve them exclusively. Here are some tips to help you decide on the perfect mix:
Beer
Beer is one of the most popular wedding drinks and is a great choice for a casual or summer wedding. When planning your beer selection, consider offering a variety of options, such as lager and pilsner, to cater to different tastes. Calculate how much beer to serve based on the number of guests and the duration of your reception. For example, if you have 100 guests, you may want to plan for about 60 servings of beer. If you have a shorter reception, you may want to average about 3-4 bottles per person.
Wine
Wine is easily the most classic and popular wedding drink. It is a versatile choice that can be served during cocktail hour, with dinner, and even with dessert. When selecting your wines, consider offering a variety of red and white wines, with a safe ratio of 50/50. For a summer wedding, you may want to adjust the ratio to 60/40 in favour of white wine. Don't forget to factor in spillage, especially if you don't have a bartender. A safe estimate is to plan for half a bottle of wine per person, but you may want to increase this amount if your guests are wine enthusiasts.
Bubbly
Champagne or sparkling wine is a must-have for many couples, often served for a toast or to enjoy throughout the reception. While French Champagne can be expensive, there are delicious and more affordable options from other regions, such as Cava from Spain or Prosecco from Italy. When planning your bubbly selection, calculate about 4-5 ounces per person, per toast. If you're serving bubbly throughout the reception, you may want to increase the amount depending on your guest count and duration. Remember, it's always better to have more than enough than to run out during the reception.
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Signature cocktails
His and Hers Cocktails
Like the couple who served a French 77 (a combination of champagne, St. Germain, and lemon juice) as the bride's signature cocktail and a whiskey punch as the groom's. Or, if you want to keep it classic, you could do a Moscow Mule for the bride and an Old Fashioned for the groom.
Seasonal Cocktails
Consider incorporating seasonal ingredients into your signature cocktails. For example, a fall-themed wedding could feature apple cider-based cocktails, while a summer wedding could include refreshing options like lemonade cocktails or margaritas.
Colour-Themed Cocktails
If you want your signature cocktail to match your wedding's colour theme, get creative with ingredients and garnishes to achieve the desired colour. This will not only add to the aesthetic of your wedding but also provide a fun and unique drinking experience for your guests.
Popular Choices
Some popular choices for signature cocktails include vodka and whiskey-based drinks. A Manhattan or a Gin and Tonic can be elegant and timeless options. If you're looking for something more exotic, a hibiscus-infused vodka gimlet or a vodka cranberry could be interesting choices.
Remember to keep your guests' preferences in mind and consider offering non-alcoholic versions of your signature cocktails as well. You can also provide a variety of other drinks, such as beer, wine, and champagne, to ensure there's something for everyone.
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Spirits and liqueurs
Rum is a versatile liquor that can be used in a variety of mixed drinks. It is a great option to round out your bar selection. Vodka is another popular choice, as it is easy to drink on its own and mixes well with almost anything. Whiskey is a must-have if your friends and family are whiskey connoisseurs. It is also a popular choice for signature cocktails, such as the Manhattan or an Old Fashioned. If you want to add a fancy ingredient to a standard cocktail, whiskey is a good option.
Bourbon was noted as being particularly popular in New York, so if your wedding is in the Big Apple, this could be a good choice. Gin is another spirit that can be used in cocktails, but be mindful that it may not be to everyone's taste. For example, in Tampa, Florida, only 9.5% of couples reported using gin in their wedding drinks. Tequila is a fun option, especially if you're dreaming of a honeymoon in Mexico. You could even offer non-alcoholic margaritas for kids or those not wanting to drink alcohol.
Liqueurs such as triple sec and Bailey's are essential for creating signature wedding cocktails. These add a unique twist to your drinks and can be tailored to your wedding theme. For example, a colourful liqueur could match your wedding colours.
Remember to consider your guest's preferences, the season, and your wedding style when choosing spirits and liqueurs for your reception. It is also important to plan how much you will need, with a general rule of two drinks per guest per hour.
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Non-alcoholic drinks
It's becoming increasingly common to provide non-alcoholic drinks at weddings, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Firstly, it's important to consider the season and the food you'll be serving. For example, a light, citrus-based mocktail like a lychee martini goes well with seafood or salads, while a richer, spiced non-alcoholic cider complements heartier dishes.
You could also consider offering non-alcoholic alternatives to classic cocktails, such as virgin piña coladas, daiquiris, or Bloody Marys. If you want to get creative, you could even invent your own signature mocktail using fresh fruit, juices, syrups, herbs, spices, and garnishes. For example, a summer mocktail could include strawberries, simple syrup, lime juice, and pineapple juice. For a mocktail with a kick, blend watermelon cubes and puree with lime juice and agave, or for a sweet and spicy option, combine sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, ginger, mint, lime juice, pineapple juice, and ginger beer.
If you're after something simpler, there are plenty of non-alcoholic alternatives to classic drinks, such as non-alcoholic wines, beers, and apéritifs. You could also offer sodas, sparkling water, iced tea, or lemonade. For a morning or afternoon wedding, coffee could be a good option, although it may be difficult to keep it warm for a large group. For a fun twist, you could set up an old-fashioned soda fountain with floats, malts, and milkshakes.
Finally, don't forget that non-alcoholic drinks can be just as stylish as their alcoholic counterparts. Serve your creations in tall glasses, short tumblers, or flutes, and provide garnishes such as citrus slices, edible flowers, and rim salts or sugars.
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How much to buy
There are several factors to consider when deciding how much alcohol to buy for your wedding reception. Firstly, the number of guests and the duration of the reception are crucial. As a rule of thumb, plan to serve one drink per guest per reception hour. For example, if you have 100 guests and a three-hour reception, you will need about 300 drinks.
The type of alcohol you choose to serve is another important consideration. The recommended mix is 50% liquor, 25% beer, and 25% wine. If you decide to serve only beer and wine, a ratio of 75% wine to 25% beer is generally safe. For wine, it is advisable to purchase one bottle for every two guests. So, for a wedding with 100 guests, 40 to 60 bottles of wine should be sufficient, depending on the duration of the reception. If you are serving cocktails, a typical estimate is that guests will consume two drinks in the first hour and one drink per hour after that.
The style of the bar at your wedding will also impact how much alcohol you need to buy. With an open bar, guests can order any drink, and you will pay for everything they consume. This option can be expensive, as people may drink more than usual at weddings. A limited bar offers a selection of drinks, such as beer, wine, and cocktails, while a cash bar has guests pay for their drinks. If you choose a DIY bar, you will need to buy all the alcohol, mixers, and garnishes, which can be costly, especially if you offer a full selection of spirits.
To save money, you may want to limit the variety of spirits and opt for good-quality, mid-priced brands. If you are serving cocktails, two to three types are usually enough, and you can include a popular classic, such as an Old Fashioned, and a mocktail. Don't forget to include non-alcoholic drinks, such as creative soda options, tea, agua fresca, or homemade lemonade, and consider incorporating seasonal ingredients into your drink selection.
Finally, remember that you don't want to run out of alcohol halfway through your reception. It is better to have a few more bottles than you think you'll need, especially when it comes to champagne, as it is an integral part of the wedding day.
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Frequently asked questions
Popular drinks to serve at a wedding reception include beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails. Vodka and whiskey cocktails are the most popular, but you could also serve a signature cocktail.
A signature cocktail is a personalised drink that is tailored to the couple. It could be a fun suggestion, like a "his and hers" drink, or it could be a drink that matches the wedding's colour theme.
It is recommended that you assume each guest will consume one drink per hour or about five drinks throughout the evening. You can use an online wedding drink calculator to plan how much alcohol to serve based on the wedding size, event duration, and servings per bottle.
Some examples of signature cocktails include a French 77 (champagne, St. Germain, and lemon juice), a Moscow Mule, a margarita, a Manhattan, and a Gin and Tonic.
It is important to provide a variety of drinks to accommodate different tastes and preferences. Some non-alcoholic drink options include soda, tea, agua fresca, lemonade, and seasonal options such as apple cider and cinnamon.
