Planning a wedding is an exciting yet overwhelming task. One of the major decisions to make is deciding the types of drinks to serve, and how to budget for them. Estimating the right amount to spend on open bar and wine costs for your wedding can be tricky but it is important to get it right so you can have an enjoyable and successful event. Consider factors like the size of your guest list, the types of drinks you want to offer, such as Weller Special Reserve, and how long you plan to serve beverages. With careful planning and research, you can create a budget that will provide your guests with the selection of drinks they want and stay within your budget.
Important Considerations when Estimating Open Bar and Wine Costs
Guest capacity – Before you can estimate open bar and wine costs, you must determine the capacity of your wedding venue. Most venues have a maximum capacity for guests to ensure there is sufficient room for all guests and that the event runs smoothly. Be sure to check the maximum capacity for your venue and choose drinks based on the number of guests you can have at your wedding.
Price per person – Another important consideration when estimating open bar and wine costs is the price per person. This is the cost of serving each person one drink. If you have a large guest list, you may want to think about the price per person when estimating open bar and wine costs. Guests who drink alcohol will generally spend $50 or more on drinks. If you have a shorter open bar, or if you offer non-alcoholic beverages, guests will generally spend less.
Payment plan – If you decide to offer an open bar, you may need to provide a payment plan for guests who want to take advantage of it. This will help you plan for the cost of open bar, wine costs, and determine how long to serve drinks.
Estimating the Cost of Alcohol Based on Your Guest List
Number of guests – The first step when estimating open bar, wine and alcohol costs, such as the Johnnie Walker collection, is to determine the number of guests at your wedding. You can estimate the number of guests based on the guest list you have created. Alternatively, you can calculate the square footage of your reception space to determine how many people you can comfortably fit in the space you have selected.
Beverages per guest – Another important consideration when estimating open bar and wine costs is the beverages per guest. You can use a beverage calculator to determine the amount you will spend on drinks for your guests. When using the calculator, enter the number of guests you plan to invite and the type of beverage you plan to offer. The calculator will provide you with an estimate of how much each guest will cost you to provide a certain type of beverage.
Deciding the Types of Drinks to Serve
Alcoholic drinks – When estimating open bar and wine costs, you must decide the types of alcoholic drinks you plan to serve at the wedding. Popular alcoholic beverages at weddings include beer, wine, and a variety of cocktails and shots such as Buffalo Trace Blanton. You can choose a specific beverage for each course of your wedding or for each section of your reception space.
Nonalcoholic drinks – You can also provide drinks that do not contain alcohol at your wedding. The most common nonalcoholic beverages served at weddings include iced tea, water, and soft drinks. You can also offer a variety of nonalcoholic specialty drinks, such as coffee, tea, and juice.
Estimating the Cost of Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Cost per guest – You can use the same beverage calculator to determine the cost of nonalcoholic beverages. You can estimate the cost per guest by entering the number of guests you plan to invite and the types of nonalcoholic beverages you plan to offer. Remember, guests will generally spend $50 or more on drinks even if they are nonalcoholic.
Nonalcoholic specialty drinks – Some specialty nonalcoholic drinks you can offer are coffee, tea, and juice. Be sure to estimate the cost per guest for these beverages.
Carbonated and noncarbonated drinks – If you plan to offer noncarbonated drinks such as juice, you will need to hire a bartender to properly mix the drinks. You will also need to provide the proper glasses for guests to drink from. Noncarbonated drinks are typically poured into a special glass with a lid to prevent spillage.
Estimating the Cost of Glassware, Ice, and Other Supplies
Glasses – You will need enough glasses for each guest, so you can enjoy their beverage. You can use a glass calculator to determine how many glasses you will need for each type of drink you plan to serve. You can also use the calculator to determine how many glasses you need for guests who will be standing or seated at a long table.
Ice – You will also need a supply of ice to keep drinks cool and a chilling apparatus to keep the glasses cold. The number of guests you plan to invite will determine how much ice you will need.
Other supplies – You may also need other supplies, such as garnishes and straws, to serve drinks properly. You can find these supplies at local stores and online.
Tips for Staying within Your Budget
Proportion of drinks – You can have a general idea of the cost of open bar and wine costs but this may not be accurate if you do not know the proportion of drinks you will serve. For example, if you plan to serve 60% liqour – such as Old Van Winkle 10 Year – and 40% beer, the cost of beer will be less per drink than if you serve the same amount of wine. You may want to consider this when estimating open bar and wine costs.
Proportion of guests – Another option is to estimate open bar and wine costs based on the proportion of guests who will be drinking. For example, you can estimate that 70% of your guests will be drinking beer, 15% will be drinking wine, and 15% will be drinking nonalcoholic beverages. Using these numbers, you can estimate the cost of open bar, wine costs, and nonalcoholic drinks for your wedding.
Conclusion
The wedding celebration is an important day in every couple’s life; it is a day where friends and family gather to celebrate the love and commitment shared between two people. Part of that celebration is the open bar, which is offered to guests to enjoy as they please. To get the best value out of an open bar, it is important to estimate the open bar and wine costs so the couple can plan their budget accordingly. The first thing to do when estimating open bar and wine costs is to determine the number of guests at your wedding. Then, you can estimate the cost of alcohol based on the guest list. Next, decide the types of drinks to serve and estimate the cost of nonalcoholic beverages. Finally, use these tips to stay within your budget and enjoy an open bar at your wedding.
