How Many Bottles Of Wine For Wedding

Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! Planning a wedding can be a whirlwind of excitement and decision-making. One crucial detail that you definitely want to get right is the wine selection. Regardless of whether you're an oenophile or a casual sipper, you want to make sure that there's enough to keep the party flowing. So, how many bottles of wine do you need for a wedding? Our experts at Black Wine Club have compiled this ultimate guide to help you figure that out, one sip at a time.

1. Know Your Guests

First and foremost, you need to understand the drinking preferences of your guests. A general rule is to assume each guest will consume about one drink per hour. However, you should also consider the following factors:

• Age range of attendees
• Their drinking preferences (wine, beer, cocktails, or non-alcoholic)
• Time and duration of your reception
• Type of wedding (formal or casual)

2. Calculate the Quantity of Wine

Once you have an idea of your guests' preferences, it's time to crunch some numbers. Here's a simple breakdown to give you an idea:

• One 750ml bottle of wine yields about five glasses
• For a four-hour reception, assume each guest will have four drinks
• Total wine consumption = Number of guests x 4 (drinks per guest)
• Divide that total by five to determine the number of bottles required

3. The 70/30 Rule: Red 💖 White

When selecting the types of wine to serve, consider the 70/30 rule: 70% red wine and 30% white wine. This ratio works well for most weddings, though you may adjust the balance depending on your guests' preferences or the season (lighter wines for summer, heavier wines for winter).

4. Don't Forget the Bubbly

Champagne or sparkling wine is essential for the all-important toast. Make sure to include a separate calculation for this. Depending on the formality and size of your wedding, you may need one bottle for every 8-10 guests.

5. Build a Contingency Plan (AKA: The "Just In Case" Stash)

It's always better to have more wine than less. We recommend adding an extra 10% to your final calculation to ensure you don't run out (and to have some extra for you and your spouse to enjoy post-celebration).

How Many Bottles Of Wine For Wedding Example:

Imagine you're hosting a four-hour wedding reception for 100 guests. Here's a breakdown of how to calculate the wine needed:

• 100 guests x 4 drinks each = 400 total drinks
• 400 drinks ÷ 5 (glasses per bottle) = 80 bottles of wine
• 70% red wine = 56 bottles
• 30% white wine = 24 bottles
• Champagne: 100 guests ÷ 10 (guests per bottle) = 10 bottles
• Extra 10%: add 8 more bottles
• Total: 98 bottles of wine (56 red, 24 white, 10 champagne, 8 additional)

There you have it – determining how many bottles of wine you need for a wedding has never been easier! As long as you know your guests, we're confident you'll have the perfect amount to keep everyone's glasses filled and spirits high. Be sure to share this guide with your fellow wine enthusiasts and soon-to-be-married friends. And if you're looking for more wine-related content, inspiration, or curated events, don't forget to check out our other articles on Black Wine Club. Cheers to your unforgettable celebration! 🥂