Wedding planning is a challenging process, indeed. Every detail is significant, contributing to making the perfect end result. So, when it comes to choosing your vendors, you need to do it with utmost care. From the wedding photographer and florist to your catering and bar service, every bride deserves to hire the best professional in the field. While the flowers, the vows, and the cake are key moments, people also come for the drinks! Therefore, you need to be careful with your choice of alcohol for wedding.
A well-stocked bar and a fun atmosphere are essential for ensuring your guests have a great time. At the Wedding Style Society, we’re aware of how tricky planning your wedding can be. For that reason, we’ve created this guide where we’ll provide everything you need to know about ordering alcohol for your wedding. From how much you need to the legal stuff to where to order it, we’ve got you covered.
Photo via Carolina Crafts on Tap
How Much Alcohol for Wedding Do You Need?
Calculating how much alcohol for a wedding to order can be tricky. You don’t want to run out early during the reception, but you also don’t want to have too much leftover. Luckily, there are a few tips that can help.
A general rule of thumb is to plan for one drink per guest per hour. So, if you’re having a 5-hour wedding with 100 guests, you’re looking at around 500 drinks. Now, that doesn’t mean you need 500 bottles of booze! You’ll be dividing that between beer, wine, and liquor, respectively. If you need a rough breakdown, it will look like this:
- Beer: 40% of your total drinks
- Wine: 40% of your total drinks
- Liquor: 20% of your total drinks (including mixers for cocktails)
Of course, this will depend on the personal tastes of your guests. Therefore, it’s best to consider their drink preferences before ordering alcohol for a wedding.
What Types of Alcohol to Offer?
- Beer – Choose a mix of light beers and a craft option. If your guest list consists of many beer drinkers, then stock up on this.
- Wine РRed and white wine are both popular choices. For summer weddings, ros̩ is also an interesting choice.
- Liquor – Stocking a full bar can be a bit overwhelming. However, having a few basics like vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, and tequila will cover most cocktails. Moreover, don’t forget to provide mixers like soda, tonic water, and juices!
- Signature Cocktails – Having a signature cocktail is a great option to personalize your event. By offering one or two signature drinks, you can limit the number of liquor types you need to stock at the bar while still making a memorable gesture.Â
Rules & Permits
Before you start stocking up on alcohol for wedding, you need to make sure you’re legally allowed to serve it at your venue. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Liquor LicenseÂ
Some venues already have a license to serve alcohol, which makes everything easier. In this case, you can likely go through them for all your alcohol needs.
- BYOB Venues
If your venue doesn’t have a liquor license but allows you to bring your own alcohol, you’ll likely need to get a temporary liquor license or permit, depending on your state’s regulations. Fees for these permits are usually minimal, but don’t forget to check in advance so you can plan your budget.
- Hiring Bartenders
Most states require that anyone serving alcohol has a certification, even if it’s just for a wedding. This means you’ll need to hire certified bartenders who are trained to handle any alcohol-related issues.
Photo via Carolina Crafts on Tap
Choosing a Reliable Alcohol Supplier
When it comes to choosing an alcohol supplier for your special day, you should look for a reliable one. Doing a bit of research upfront can save you a lot of stress later. Therefore, we advise you to look for suppliers with good reputations. Check reviews online, ask for recommendations from friends or your venue, and see if they offer any guarantees or refunds on unopened bottles. You also need to make sure the vendor you choose offers a wide liquor selection and fits your budget.
To assist you in your search, we have selected a couple of vendors from our directory who we guarantee provide quality service when it comes to supplying alcohol for wedding.
Carolina Crafts on Tap
Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, they are one of the leading alcohol providers in the industry. Their certified and expertly trained staff is focused on delivering only the best service and drink quality for your special day. In case you’re seeking a unique beverage experience that varies from the traditional, this is the vendor you need. They offer tap trailers, bar carts, and mobile bars, providing a lovely selection of craft beers, wines, and premium spirits.
What’s more, they operate in both indoor and outdoor venue settings, catering to each couple and guest’s requirements.
Photo via Carolina Crafts on Tap
SanTan Brewing Company
From a wide selection of craft beers to exclusive wines, SanTan Brewing Company is an expert in providing high-quality alcohol for wedding. Located in Arizona, they often travel to provide their services all around the country. On top of their beer and wine collection, they also offer a good amount of ready-made cocktail flavors, along with a fine choice of spirits.
In addition to this, they also offer an expanded range of services, offering delicious food that pairs perfectly with your drink of choice. From snacks and pizza to tasty desserts, the food choices are varied enough to offer something for everyone. This is an ideal option for those looking for a complete food and drink experience.
We truly hope that the tips and insights we provided will help you make a good decision when ordering alcohol for wedding. At the Wedding Style Society, we know how important it is to delight your guests and keep them satisfied. To help further with the planning process, we have an entire directory of service providers that can bring your dreams to reality. Dive into the wide selection of professionals and find those that best fit your requirements.
