Choosing drinks for the wedding: what do you need to know?

How to ensure that every guest leaves satisfied and with beautiful memories, creating an unforgettable wedding where fun is the watchword? This is the central dilemma that all brides face in the process of planning their wedding. It’s actually no secret: the key to success are drinks for all tastes, delicious food and good quality music, these are the three ingredients for guaranteed success.

In this article we will explore the options you have regarding the drink and why you need to keep them in mind to make your job easier.

Many couples, to drain their budget, initially explore the possibility of purchasing their alcoholic drinks in hypermarkets or drinks warehouses, finding themselves at a lower price than that offered by the chosen event.

An advantage of this choice is that you have the freedom to select exactly the drinks you want, without the limitations imposed by the restaurant. Furthermore, you can opt for a more or less wide variety of drinks, adapting to the number of guests and their preferences.

If you have unrestricted drinks left after the wedding, you can use them for the «Potroci soup» the next day or save them for future special events. If the residual quantity of drink is significant and the package is still sealed, it is possible to return the products (keep the tax invoices to be able to return them). This option is available both for online drink suppliers and in some supermarket chains. So, a big advantage is that you will only pay for the amount of drink actually consumed.

disadvantage

• The most unpleasant scenario is to use up all the drinks during the wedding;
• The acquisition process will take longer;
• You will need to transport a large volume of drinks, which means you will need a spacious vehicle.
• Make sure the location you choose allows you to bring your own drinks and check if there are any additional costs, such as the fee for opening bottles brought from home.

In the case of the all-inclusive package for drinks, everything is simple and clear: guests will consume what they want from the selected menu, and at the end of the event they will be paid a pre-established fixed amount, which does not depend on the quantity consumed by the guests.

When choosing to purchase separate drinks for the event, the system adopted is «pay as you consume», the standard approach is as follows:

1. At the event venue: the bride selects the type of drinks she wants and, based on the estimated number of guests, the venue coordinator will determine the quantity required in each assortment. The presence of a cocktail bar can influence these quantities, so it is essential to communicate with the location staff if you intend to have a mobile bar. Usually the correct management of the stock of drinks, regardless of their origin, is the responsibility of the location manager during the entire event.

2. When it comes to including a wedding cocktail bar, its successful implementation involves, first of all, drawing up a specialized menu for the bar. It is essential to prepare a supply of drinks that includes an additional quantity, to avoid them running out during the event.

It is important to note that the selection of drink brands used for the cocktail bar is just as important as for those served in the main room. Their quality will have a direct impact on the taste and quality of the cocktails prepared.

Typically the drinks offered at a wedding are classified into two main categories: alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Here are the main types of drinks that should be included in your wedding drink menu:

In the category of non-alcoholic drinks, still water and mineral water occupy a leading place, which is why we must ensure that they are not missing on the table.

The recommended carbonated drinks are the well-known, usual ones and obviously natural juices must not be missing.

As regards alcoholic drinks, we will make a classification based on the alcohol concentration as follows:

• Low-alcoholic drinks: contain less than 7% alcohol: beer and cider
• Moderately alcoholic drinks – contain between 7% and 22% alcohol – wine
• Strongly alcoholic drinks: contain more than 22% alcohol: vodka, rum, gin, whisky

Of course, drink preferences may vary depending on the event and guests, but here are some general tips when choosing drinks for men and women:

• Wines for the wedding: Men are often attracted to white and splashy wines, while women tend to choose rosé or red wines.
• Spirit Drinks: For men, spirits can be served dry, while for women an excellent variant is to serve them mixed with juices or as part of tempting cocktails, such as Cosmopolitan, Aperol Spritz or Hugo.
• Beer and other drinks: Beer is usually preferred by men, while ladies and gentlemen may opt for cider, vermouth or liqueurs. For men, tequila shots or strong drinks may be a good option, while women might enjoy colorful cocktails.

To determine the right amount of drinks for a wedding, a generally accepted rule is that each guest consumes, on average, one drink per hour. For example, for a 5-hour wedding with 100 guests, you should plan on around 500 drinks.

Offering a varied selection of drinks is essential to meeting the tastes of each guest. It’s ideal to include a range of reds, whites and rosés, beer, spirits, cocktails and non-alcoholic options.

For example, for an outdoor wedding during the summer, it could be estimated that 50% of consumption will be represented (equally divided between reds and whites), 30% beer and 20% cocktails or other spirits. In this scenario you will need approximately 350 units of wine, 210 units of beer and 140 units of other drinks. If one bottle of wine offers around 4-5 glasses, that means you should expect between 70 and 88 bottles of wine.

Whether you opt for a classic selection of wines and spirits, an innovative cocktail menu or a balanced combination that satisfies all tastes, the key is adaptability and knowing your guests’ preferences. By taking into account the advice presented, you can ensure that each glass raised at your wedding not only celebrates the moment, but also adds a personal and memorable note to the entire holiday.