Franklin Dean
Planning a wedding reception involves many considerations, from the food and music to the type of alcohol served. While some couples opt for an open bar, others prefer self-serve stations or placing bottles of alcohol on tables. The latter option can add a unique touch to the wedding, with choices ranging from wine and beer to spirits and cocktails. Couples should consider their guests' preferences, the style of the wedding, and their budget when deciding on the alcohol selection. Ultimately, the goal is to create a memorable celebration that reflects the couple's tastes and cultural traditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of alcohol | Champagne, wine, beer, spirits, cocktails |
| Alcohol presentation | Bottles on tables, self-serve stations, open bar, bartenders |
| Amount of alcohol | One standard drink per person per hour, one wine bottle serves 4 glasses, one champagne bottle for 10 guests |
| Alcohol costs | Wine and champagne might account for about 15% of the overall reception budget |
| Alcohol selection | Consider the style of the wedding, the crowd's preferences, and the food menu |
| Other considerations | Non-alcoholic options, venue rules, transportation of alcohol to the venue |
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What You'll Learn
Champagne and sparkling wine
If you're looking for something a little different, there are plenty of other sparkling wines to choose from. Prosecco is an affordable and popular option, especially in Britain, where it accounts for 30% of all Prosecco consumption worldwide. It's also less likely to give you a headache than Champagne. Other sparkling wines include Cava, Sekt, and Cremant, which is made in various regions of France. If you want to support local producers, you could try English Sparkling Wine (ESW), which is growing in popularity for weddings, although the price tag can be similar to Champagne.
When choosing your sparkling wine, consider the food you'll be serving. For example, if you're having chicken, opt for a light-to-medium-bodied wine so as not to overpower the softer flavours. If you're looking for a wine to pair with your wedding cake, a dry rosé could be a good choice, as it has enough body to stand up to meals and sweeter desserts.
If you want to save money, it's worth noting that caterers often charge a markup on wine and champagne, and they may also charge a corkage fee of over $15 per bottle. So, if you're trying to decide between a caterer's limited selection of champagnes or bringing your own, you may come out ahead by finding a good third-party deal.
Finally, don't forget to buy a few more bottles than you think you'll need. You don't want to run out of drinks during the celebrations, and it's better to have a few leftover bottles than none at all!
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Red and white wine
When choosing the type of wine, it is best to work with your caterer and bartender to select wines that go well with the food menu. If you are having a spring or summer wedding, especially a daytime or outdoor one, you will probably want to serve crisp white wines rather than full-bodied reds. On the other hand, autumn and winter weddings tend to go well with red wines, especially during heartier plated dinners. A dry rosé is a fairly versatile option for any season, especially if you are having a seafood-based meal.
If you plan to put a bottle of white and red wine at each table, you will need to buy more bottles of wine to allow for this. A good rule of thumb is to purchase one drink per person per hour of your reception. For 100 guests, you will need about 30 to 40 glasses of wine per hour, which translates to about 8 to 10 bottles of wine per hour. If your reception is 3 hours long, we suggest purchasing about 24 bottles of wine, or 2 cases.
When it comes to specific types of red and white wine, it is best to keep it simple. Choose a white wine that is light and refreshing, such as a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, and a red that is crisp and fruity, such as a Pinot Noir, as these wines can go well with a variety of food. Other versatile red wines include Gamay and Cabernet Sauvignon, while Albarino from Spain and Chenin Blanc from South Africa are refreshing and offer great value for money.
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Beer and cider
Beer is a popular choice of beverage at weddings, especially for casual celebrations such as a backyard barbecue wedding. If you're looking to offer your guests a variety of beers, you could include both bottled and draught beer. If you opt for the latter, you'll need to consider how you'll chill and dispense the beer. One option is to use a kegerator, which is a type of refrigerator designed to store and dispense kegs of beer. Alternatively, you could use a jockey box, which is a cooler with stainless steel or aluminium tubing inside an ice bath, or simply use trash cans with ice water.
When it comes to choosing which beers to serve, you could offer a mix of lagers and pilsners, or go for a variety of craft beers. If you're getting married in the summer or a warmer climate, it's a good idea to provide more beer than you would for a winter wedding. You could also showcase local breweries by offering their beers at your wedding.
Cider is another option for wedding reception drinks, especially if you're looking for an alternative to hard liquor. You could offer cider on its own or use it to create a signature cocktail. If you're having a daytime wedding, you might want to consider serving a low-proof cocktail such as a mimosa or a sangria.
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Spirits: vodka, rum, gin, tequila, whiskey
When it comes to spirits, there are a few classic options that are popular for weddings: vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and whiskey. These spirits can be offered as shots, but it is not encouraged, especially in the case of tequila, which tends to bring out the wild side of guests. Instead, spirits can be used as a base for cocktails or drunk as a simple mixer.
Vodka is a very versatile spirit and can be drunk in many ways, including on its own or as a cocktail base. It is a very popular choice for weddings as it is easy to drink and mixes well with almost anything. Gin is a good second option as it is very fashionable and opens up a world of cocktail options, such as martinis, gimlets, and the classic gin and tonic.
Whiskey is a top-requested spirit at events and, like vodka, it pairs well with a lot of other beverages. It has a small range of flexibility for cocktails, so it is a lower-priority option. If you are looking for a whiskey option that is easier to drink on its own, consider bourbon, which is a type of whiskey.
Rum is a great option for mixed drinks and liqueurs, such as triple sec and Bailey's, and is necessary for creating wedding signature cocktails. It is a good choice to round out any bar.
Tequila is a polarizing drink that tends to bring out the wild side of guests, so it is best avoided unless you and your guests are avid tequila drinkers. It is usually taken as a shot, which is not encouraged at weddings.
When choosing spirits, it is recommended to use a tiered system and select two liquors at a time to increase the versatility of your cocktail bar. For example, you could choose vodka and bourbon as your tier one options, and then add gin and rum as tier two. This will help to satisfy the majority of your guests and avoid being left with half-empty bottles.
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Cocktails
When it comes to choosing which cocktails to serve, you could opt for a signature cocktail that reflects your wedding season or is inspired by your pet. For example, you could serve a Cosmo, a classic cocktail that's perfect for a chic city wedding. Vodka cocktails are also a good choice, as vodka has a neutral flavour that pairs well with almost anything. If you're looking for something more sophisticated, a Negroni is a great option, or you could serve a refreshing gin cocktail like a Ramble, which puts a raspberry twist on the classic Bramble.
For a summer wedding, a large-batch cocktail like sangria or a punch made with rosé wine, blood orange soda, strawberries, sugar and fresh basil is perfect. For a winter wedding, you could modify this punch by combining moscato wine, ginger beer and triple sec with cranberry or pomegranate juice. If you're having a Sunday brunch reception, mimosas are a classic choice, or you could serve an Aperol Spritz made with Aperol, prosecco and club soda, garnished with an orange slice. For a refreshing drink, a mojito is always a good option, or you could serve an Espresso Martini.
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Frequently asked questions
Popular alcohol options for wedding receptions include beer, wine, champagne, and spirits. Mixed drinks such as cocktails and spirits like gin or vodka are more popular with younger crowds.
Placing bottles of alcohol on the wedding reception tables can make the experience feel more relaxed and ease traffic at the bar. It is also a tradition in many cultures.
A general rule of thumb when serving alcohol at events is to estimate one standard drink per person per hour. For a guest list of 100, this translates to 8-10 bottles of wine per hour, 10 bottles of champagne for a single toast, and a standard keg of beer.
Some factors to consider include your guests' preferences, the style and theme of your wedding, your budget, and the time of day of your wedding. For example, a casual backyard BBQ wedding will lend itself more to refreshing beverages and beer, while an elegant cocktail reception might feature more spirit-forward options.
Some popular alcohol brands for wedding receptions include Tito's Vodka, Jack Daniels Whiskey, Captain Morgan Rum, Jose Cuervo Tequila, and Gin. For wine, consider Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet, or Malbec.
