Wedding Drinks: How To Plan Your Wedding Bar

Choosing your wedding drinks can be one of the most fun parts of wedding planning, but figuring out quantities can leave you feeling a tad overwhelmed.

Whether you're wondering how much alcohol you need for your wedding or looking for some inspiration for the best wedding cocktails, we've enlisted our friends at Nyetimber, Marlo Wine and The Drunken Jockeys to impart their wisdom and top tips for planning the ultimate wedding bar. 

Planning your wedding bar can be tricky, especially when it comes to estimating how much wine to order. Here's Marlo Wine's handy guide to help you calculate the perfect amount:

• One bottle of wine = 5 glasses
• One case of wine = 12 bottles (60 serves per case)
• Allow half a bottle of wine per guest for the wedding breakfast

Wondering how much alcohol to serve for your wedding toast and drinks reception? Here are some helpful tips from Nyetimber to estimate the perfect amount of sparkling wine for your special day:

• One bottle of Sparkling Wine = 6 flutes
• Typically, you should allow 2 to 3 flutes (125ml) per guest, for an hour’s drinks reception.
• Allow 1 flute for the toast

Top Tip: This of course varies, as some people will consume more or less than others, and you may have guests who don’t drink, so things tend to even themselves out, but we’d recommend ensuring you have a few additional bottles, just in case!

Offering signature drinks adds a personal touch and makes your celebration truly unique. While the amount of cocktails and spirits depends on how much your guests' drink, our friends at The Drunken Jockeys offer a simple guide to help you estimate:

• 2 cocktails per head = conservative
• 3 cocktails per head = a good level
• 4 cocktails per head = a boozy bunch
• One 750ml bottle of spirits = 30 standard shots (25ml each)

Top Tip: Always ask your alcohol suppliers if you can buy on a Sale or Return basis, meaning you can return any unopened bottles after your wedding (although, we’re rather partial to keeping any left-overs for future dinner parties and celebrations!).

Remember that Nyetimber tastes best when served at the perfect temperature. While your venue or caterer will likely take care of this, Helen McKenzie, Wedding Manager at Nyetimber, offers a helpful tip for those managing their own drinks: "Ensure your sparkling wine is chilled thoroughly for at least three hours in a refrigerator to around 10 degrees Celsius."

For real theatre at your reception, why not opt for Nyetimber served from a large format? Magnums, (equivalent to two bottles and containing 12 glasses) not only look spectacular but the surface area of the bottle results in a more complex and harmonious wine, perfect for celebrating a special occasion!

Helen also recommends serving Nyetimber in a rounded flute glass for optimum enjoyment of aroma and flavour. Glasses should be spotlessly clean, to enhance the flow of the fine bubbles, (known as mousse) upward within the glass.

You will be catering to a large crowd, so you want to find wedding wine that most of your guests will enjoy. For the red, avoid anything too full-bodied or high in alcohol, and wines that are too light and acidic, too. You’re looking for a plump, juicy red with plenty of fruit that is nice and smooth. Pip recommends: "Our go-to's when sourcing wedding wine for couples are 2019 Chianti Classico (also what we served at our own wedding) and 2018 Chateau Croix Moutin."

Follow the same logic with the white. Avoid wines that are overly oaky or sweet. Again, you’re looking for something crisp and refreshing with plenty of fruit. Marlo Wine's go-tos are 2020 Village Chardonnay from Kumeu Estate and 2018 Gallardia Old Vine White, De Martino. 

Top Tip: Think about large-format bottles such as magnums of wine; not only do they add to the spectacle of your wedding day, but they can also offer better value.

Owner of The Drunken Jockeys, Zack Goodall, imparts some of his wisdom when it comes to thinking about your wedding cocktail bar:

• First, let's talk espresso martinis; Get them out of the way early! White dresses and martini glasses don't go well (we can attest to this).

• Menus; Choose a well-rounded cocktail menu that includes a range of spirits to suit cocktails, mocktails and spirits & mixers. Your bar budget will go much further. Negronis and Whisky Sours, for example, can split the pack.
• Always aim to inspire. Great cocktails, like great food, can inspire and delight. Try twisting existing classics with seasonal themes for great results that will stay with you and your guests long after the party’s ended.
• The trick with a great mocktail is to avoid the sweetness taking over. Just removing the alcohol doesn't cut the mustard. Mocktails, like good cocktails, need balance and consideration. They are an opportunity to serve up flavours that are not designed to be paired with alcohol.

Pro Tip: In the midst of wedding planning? Celebrate checking off another item on your wedding checklist with Zack's unique Mediterranean Margarita recipe.

Don't forget about the wedding guests who can't or don't drink alcohol. Ensure you have a steady stream of water throughout the day. If you’re serving tap water, remember to consider the logistics of re-filling jugs or carafes. It’s something to discuss with your caterer to make sure they're prepared. A good mix of soft drinks can serve a dual purpose as mixers for spirits or cocktails as well as a non-alcoholic option, so try to think of options that work across your wedding bar.

We hope our experts from Nyetimber, Marlo Wine, and The Drunken Jockeys helped you answer your wedding bar questions. Now you can ensure your guests are raising a glass (or two) to a truly unforgettable celebration. Cheers!

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