Mason Delacroix
If you're looking to save some money on your wedding, supplying your own alcohol is a great option. However, before you start stocking up, it's important to check with your venue to see if they allow you to bring your own alcohol and if there are any regulations or requirements you need to follow. Once you have the go-ahead from your venue, it's time to start planning what drinks to serve and how much to buy. This will depend on factors such as the number of guests, the duration of the event, and your guests' preferences. To help you calculate how much alcohol you need, you can use a wedding drink calculator or estimate one drink per guest per hour. When it comes to serving the drinks, you can opt for a self-served bar or hire bartenders to keep things running smoothly. Don't forget to budget for ice and consider offering non-alcoholic options as well.
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What You'll Learn
Check if your venue allows you to bring your own alcohol
It is essential to check with your wedding venue to see if they allow you to bring your own alcohol. Some venues have strict policies against this, while others may charge a corkage fee for allowing you to bring your own drinks. It is important to clarify these details with your venue before making any plans to supply your own alcohol.
If your venue does permit bringing your own alcohol, it is customary for the hosts (bride and groom) to provide all the refreshments for their guests. Asking guests to bring their drinks can be considered rude and logistically complicated. It may also increase the risk of guests drinking excessively, which could lead to safety concerns.
Some venues may require you to hire a licensed bartender to serve the alcohol, ensuring safe drinking practices and compliance with local regulations. This is an important detail to consider, as it adds an extra cost to your budget. It is recommended to consult with the venue to see if they have any preferred bartending services or if they can make suggestions for how much alcohol to purchase.
Additionally, it is worth noting that there may be legal implications to consider when supplying your own alcohol. Check your venue's rules, state laws, and insurance policies regarding alcohol service. You don't want to risk any legal ramifications that could potentially shut down your event or result in legal action.
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Decide on a bar type: open, limited, cash or non-alcoholic
When it comes to wedding alcohol, there are four main types of bars to choose from: open, limited, cash, and non-alcoholic. Each option has its advantages and considerations, so it's important to select the one that best suits your preferences, guest list, and budget. Here's a detailed guide to help you decide:
Open Bar: An open bar offers guests unlimited access to a variety of alcoholic beverages. This option is the most generous and adds a special touch to your wedding, especially for large or formal celebrations. It is also the most common choice, with 70% of weddings in the US opting for an open bar. However, it can be more expensive, so it may be more suitable if budget constraints are not a primary concern.
Limited Bar: A limited bar strikes a balance between variety and simplicity. It typically includes a selection of crowd favorites, such as beer and wine, along with a few signature cocktails. This option is more cost-effective than a fully open bar while still providing a unique drinking experience. Limiting the cocktail options to one or two choices also helps bartenders control consumption and reduces costs associated with mixers and spirits.
Cash Bar: If budget management is a priority, a cash bar may be the best option. With a cash bar, guests pay for their own drinks. This choice is well-suited for budget-conscious couples or smaller, more intimate gatherings. It shifts the financial burden of alcohol from the hosts to the guests, ensuring you don't incur unexpected expenses.
Non-Alcoholic Bar: A non-alcoholic bar is a great choice to ensure that all your guests feel included, especially those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages or are unable to consume alcohol. Instead of solely offering water or soda, you can provide festive and creative options like virgin sangria or sparkling lemonade, perfect for a summer wedding. This option can also be combined with other bar types, ensuring a diverse range of choices for your guests.
When deciding on the bar type, it's essential to consider your guest list and their preferences. Think about the demographics of your guests—a younger crowd may prefer cocktails and spirits, while a mixed-age group might appreciate a wider selection of wine or beer. Additionally, don't forget to include any cultural traditions or creative touches, such as whisky tastings, tequila shots, local craft beer, or mini-bottles of champagne.
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Calculate how much alcohol you need
When it comes to calculating how much alcohol you need for your wedding, there are several variables to consider. Firstly, the duration of your event is key. A general rule of thumb is to estimate one standard drink per person per hour. Wedding expert Joshua Mentrup advises assuming each guest will consume about five drinks throughout the evening, with people tending to consume more at the beginning of the event and slowing down later on. Therefore, for events under three hours, the drinks per guest per hour will be higher.
The number of guests you have will also impact the amount of alcohol needed. For example, a larger wedding with over 50 guests may require a different setup to manage individual pours, such as a champagne tower. The type of bar you choose will also influence the quantity of alcohol required. An open bar, where guests have unlimited access to drinks, will likely result in higher consumption compared to a limited bar with a few selected options or a cash bar.
Another factor is your guests' preferences and the types of drinks you plan to serve. Consider the demographics of your guests, as a younger crowd may prefer cocktails and spirits, while a mixed-age group may opt for wine or beer. Signature cocktails, champagne toasts, and non-alcoholic options like mocktails or sparkling lemonade should also be factored into your calculations.
To simplify the process, you can use a wedding drink calculator that takes into account factors such as wedding size, event duration, and servings per bottle to help you build your alcohol budget. These calculators can provide a solid estimate, but keep in mind that each may use a slightly different formula, so results may vary.
Additionally, don't forget to check with your venue regarding any regulations or requirements related to self-purchasing alcohol and serving options. Some venues may charge a corkage fee, which should be factored into your alcohol budget. By considering these variables and utilizing available tools, you can effectively calculate the amount of alcohol needed for your wedding.
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Choose what drinks to serve
When it comes to choosing what drinks to serve at your wedding, there are a few key things to consider. Firstly, it's important to know your crowd's preferences. Think about the demographics of your guests—a younger crowd may prefer cocktails and spirits, while a mixed-age group is likely to favour wine or beer. If you're having a multicultural wedding, consider incorporating drinks from different cultures. For example, you could set up a whisky tasting, offer tequila shots, or serve kegs of local craft beer.
Another thing to consider is your budget. The more options you provide, the more money you'll need to spend. If you're looking to keep costs down, limiting yourself to beer and wine can be a good option. You could also offer a couple of signature cocktails instead of a full bar. Opting for an open bar gives guests unlimited access, but it can be quite expensive. A limited bar is a good middle ground, offering a few crowd favourites and some signature cocktails.
If you're on a tight budget, self-purchasing your alcohol can be a great way to save money. Warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam's Club, and Aldi offer significant discounts on large quantities of alcohol and soft drinks. Online platforms like GoToLiquorStore also allow you to compare prices from various retailers and find the best deals on wine, beer, and spirits.
When deciding on quantities, it's a good idea to estimate one drink per guest per hour. This will help you calculate how much alcohol to buy. Wedding alcohol calculators can also be a useful tool to estimate how much alcohol you'll need based on the number of guests and the duration of the event. Don't forget to include drinks for any cultural traditions or creative ideas, such as a champagne toast or a modern champagne tower.
Finally, don't forget about your non-drinking guests! Offering thoughtfully crafted non-alcoholic options like virgin sangria or sparkling lemonade ensures everyone feels included. Providing a good selection of drinks, catering to different tastes and preferences, will keep your guests happy and ensure your wedding is a memorable celebration.
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Consider hiring bartenders
If you're bringing your own alcohol to your wedding, it's worth considering hiring bartenders to serve drinks. This can keep things running smoothly and prevent your alcohol supply from running out too quickly. It's recommended to have one bartender per 50 guests, but if you're offering a full bar or lots of mixed drinks, you may need more staff. Bartenders can also help to control consumption, which can be particularly important if you're trying to keep costs down.
Hiring bartenders can also eliminate the potential for an unruly crowd, especially later in the night. If you're serving alcohol, it's important to have enough ice, both for keeping drinks cool and for putting in drinks. It's easy to forget, but it's a crucial part of your wedding bar setup.
When it comes to deciding what drinks to serve, it's a good idea to consider your guests' preferences. A younger crowd may prefer cocktails and spirits, while a mixed-age group might opt for wine or beer. Champagne is ideal for toasts and celebrations, and it's a good idea to offer non-alcoholic options too, such as virgin sangria or sparkling lemonade.
If you're on a budget, you could make your wedding a BYOB event, as this will mean you only need to fill in the gaps. You could also hold a raffle for anyone who brings a mixer or chaser, as an incentive for guests to bring their own drinks.
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Frequently asked questions
Check with your venue to see if this is an option. Different venues have different regulations due to liquor licenses and permits.
Use a wedding drink calculator to plan how much alcohol to buy based on the number of guests, duration of the event, and servings per bottle. You can also ask your guests to bring their own alcohol and fill in the gaps.
Consider your guests' preferences. A younger crowd may prefer cocktails and spirits, while a mixed-age group may prefer wine or beer. You could also have a signature cocktail or two to reflect the theme of your wedding.
Open bars are the most generous option but can be expensive. Limited bars offer a selection of crowd favourites and a couple of signature cocktails, which can help to keep costs down.
Hiring bartenders keeps things running smoothly and means your alcohol will go further. It is recommended to have one bartender per 50 guests. If you have a self-serve bar, your alcohol will go quicker, so you will need to buy more.
